new battery

[kelley]

I need to put a new gel battery in my 2002 R1150R. Is it best to stick with a BMW battery or should I go with another brand. Also, where can I get the best price?

[Boxer]

Hands down, best choice would be the Odysee PC680. Not a Gel, but better...an AGM (glass mat).

[kelley]

Thanks so much for the input. Any idea where I can order one or pick one up in the Cincinnati, Ohio area?

[boxermania]

kelley

They are going to cost you between $120 to $125, check out this link, they ship free.

http://www.beiterbatteries.com/beiterba ... attery.htm

[zeke]

What makes an AGM glass mat battery better than gel battery?

[kelley]

Thanks, I'll check them out.

[DavidLurye]

Back to a previous query...what makes the Odyssey battery any better (or worse ) than other batteries...and why is it when I log onto a battery supplier online they only seem to have dry batteries that I have to add my own fluid to. Why can't I find a "no maintenance" battery like for my car or other bikes?

[MikeCam]

Lead-acid batteries are no longer all they used to be - HazMat of wet acid is pretty severe. OTOH they work.

Gel technology was an attempt to mitigate the wet acid with a semi-solid suspension. It didn't hold up as well as hoped. These batteries are subject to fairly strict usage and recharge parameters and when they develop a fault are not recoverable - they tend to die early.

Absorbed Glass Material (AGM) and Valve Regulated Lead-Acid (VRLA i.e. maintenance free) get around most of the HazMat problems of liquid acid and show greater long term stability both for a variety of applications (shock, vibration, temperature extremes, static discharge, recovery, and the like) and for discharge and recharge cycles than either lead-acid or gel.

The Odyssey brand has proven to be very well engineered, robust, and capable in many applications, including motorcycles and Marine uses as well as readily available. I'd guess that the web sites you visit, who are offering the wet cell batteries, are just the wrong ones to research. Google PC 680, Odyssey batteries and also Panasonic LCX1220 or Westco. They sell and ship pre-charged (80-90%) batteries without HazMat restrictions.

[DavidLurye]

MikeCam-
thank you so much for the post. I learned something new today...just like the saying goes

[def38]

My OE 2001 GS battery was replaced in late 2007 with an equivelant, wet, lead-acid battery for $55.00 including shipping. Properly cared for, a lead-acid type will last just as long as other types...batteries need maintenance too.