Gel batteries any good?

[mashman]

Hi all... having finally sent my forks off, it's that time to pull certain things apart and grease my little heart out. Another thing that was added to the list was a battery. I've come across a few articles that explain the idea behind the gel ones etc... but haven't really found any reviews, ya know, how well they hold their charge in comparison to the water cells, whether the CCA ratings are equivalent etc...

Anyone have any experience with them? or should i just chuck another "normal" battery in again?

cheers

[Cajun]

Hi all... having finally sent my forks off, it's that time to pull certain things apart and grease my little heart out. Another thing that was added to the list was a battery. I've come across a few articles that explain the idea behind the gel ones etc... but haven't really found any reviews, ya know, how well they hold their charge in comparison to the water cells, whether the CCA ratings are equivalent etc...

Anyone have any experience with them? or should i just chuck another "normal" battery in again?

cheers

Just replaced ours with the normal standard one yucas one

But while at it got a motorcycle battery tender/charger. means can keep the ape on the trickle charge

[Juzz976]

They're real good, definatly a good brand is well worth the extra you pay.

check warrenty, a good one will have at least 5 years.

we use them for marine and genset applications

[slofox]

I used to have one on a 12v spray unit - worked for ages...

[imdying]

Yeah they're good. Checkout the LiFePO4 conversions too. The R1 forum is a good place to start.

[Blackbird]

Had one on the Blackbird which lasted for 5 years. Replacement cost was over $300 so went for a sealed conventional replacement at less than half the cost and this was running fine after 3 years when I sold it.

Have just done the same on my wife's MX5

[mashman]

Thanks all. Looks like there's no major benefits. The battery in the Prila must be about 5 years old by now, and only really suffers after not having been ridden for 3 - 4 days... Will likely just get a like for like and add a tender like Cajun i guess.

Cheers

[mashman]

Yeah they're good. Checkout the LiFePO4 conversions too. The R1 forum is a good place to start.

A silent twin, ha ha ha, kinda defeats the purpose i guess... although could get a voice box for the throttle... drop in the sound of a duc with termis... shudderdudder

[White trash]

I'm unsure but I think you'll notice a difference in longevity in a high vibration (such as V-twin) application.

It's all I'd put in a Harley for example.

[imdying]

A silent twin, ha ha ha, kinda defeats the purpose i guess... although could get a voice box for the throttle... drop in the sound of a duc with termis... shudderdudder

lol... do check them out... easy way to save 2kg from your RSV, and cheap if you convert a Makita 28v nanotech battery.

[meowmix]

I have an Exide gel battery, as its the only one I could find that would fit. No real benefits for my application. Great for jetskis or offroaders, or anything where it might go upside down. Otherwise, not really. Cost was $75 14 AH.

[yachtie10]

IMHO for an offroader could be worth it but not for a roadbike

[scumdog]

Seem to get between 8 and 10 years out of all my batteries, CB's Sporty had its original battery in it until '07 - and it's a '97 bike, my '01 Superglide still has its original battery in it.

Got an Optima gel? battery in my hot-rod, it never seems to balk, even after a dozen starts of a hot big block on a hot day it still starts the beast.

Having said that, if your bike starts easily a standard battery will do the trick.

[tri boy]

Gel batteries suit vib/shock/jolt loadings better than conventional wet cells.
Not really any advantage besides that.
A well cared for m/cycle battery should get at least 3-4yrs.
Don't buy cheap though. MHO

[breakaway]

[QUOTE=mashman;1129614813and only really suffers after not having been ridden for 3 - 4 days... [/QUOTE]

Really? That doesn't sound like normal behaviour. I've left my K1 GSXR1000 for over a month once and it started on the button.