|
24 Sep 2005
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Cape Town / South Africa
Posts: 207
|
|
To Gel or not to Gel
I bought a gel battery and they are amazing. After the bike have been standing for two months it would still start the bike with ease even tough it took a few cranks to get it going.
Cold mornings is not a match for this battery even if it take 20 cranks to get going.
Recently when cranking the starter for the third time the gel battery just suddenly died with no warning and I could not get it back to life agian, even with the special gel charger.
I have taken it back to the dealer and they have also not been able to revive the battery. They are willing to replace it with a new one though.
The qeustion is, are these batterys reliable enough to take on a big trip.
I would like to know what other peoples experiance is with these batterys.
In the past I have had many a flat battery when using lead acid batterys but I have always been able to get the bike going agian. If this happened on a big trip I was sure to have been in the s#$@t if the battery just gave out with no prior warning.
|
26 Sep 2005
|
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Norway
Posts: 1,379
|
|
IMHO it's best to forget Gel on the big trips but they are nice for other purposes.
|
27 Sep 2005
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Posts: 312
|
|
I took one around the world and I still have it. It's now well over two years old. The bike has sat still for months at a time. I run with the headlight on at all times- even with an electric vest in slow traffic for hours. Everything I can think of that is supposed to kill a battery. I can't get it to fail. Also, I crashed in Siberia and the bike was on it's side overnight. Next day the battery was fine- no acid to leak out.
|
28 Sep 2005
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Oxfordshire, UK
Posts: 180
|
|
I've used a Hawker gel battery for over 40,000 miles. No problems. Much better starting. Seems to handle knocks off-road. Even survived a high speed accident.
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|