Gel batteries - are they any good ?

[Julian217]

I notice on evil bay you can get a Gel battery sent from Germany for £39  for Yam 660 engined bikes.  Any one have any experience with these?  do they really offer anything better, is this a good price?  I think I paid £15 for the conventional equivalent last year.

[Andy M]

I've use the Odyssey ones for a couple of years. No problems, but there again I never had problems with the normal ones either. The only advantage I can see is that they never leak. The cold cranking Amps is supposed to be better but I've never been able to prove any practical difference.

Andy

[Steffan]

Richard recently posted something on these batteries. As the only bike I have that doesn't have a kickstart is also the only one I tend not to ride in the colder months cranking power doesn't really come into it for me.

Steffan

[themoudie]

Used a gel battery on a VW Type2 with the 'suitcase' 1800 twin-carb motor, as a 'standard' battery always ran out of cranking power. Never had that problem with the gel, even at minus 10C and with straight 30W diesel oil in the sump. Good motor as well, but thirsty

Regards Bill.

[Richard]

I am told that the Odyssey is not a gel battery but an Absorbed Glass Mat type.  Of course that could be Boswellox.

So far so good with mine but it is very early days - the really cold weather has yet to hit. 

What would be the kickstart equivalent then ?  Doc Martens ?

Richard