Boxerworks.com

It's true that Gel batteries traditionally required different maintenance in the form of lower charge voltages than an AGM but after buying mine recently I've come to the conclusion that you can no longer generalize about the precise requirements of all Gel cells or all AGM's for that matter. It's safer to abide by what your particular manufacturer specifies and in my case what's clearly written on the side of the battery is as high a voltage as an AGM and not what might be expected of a Gel battery. These differences shouldn't necessarily mean a specialist charger is required as you often hear about Odessey's but it does mean you have to check the voltage that your charger puts out whether in charge mode or float mode. If there is a golden rule don't overcharge them. Both Gel and AGM batteries are Valve regulated (VRLA's) with no means of topping up so if they get overcharged to the point of gassing off some of the electrolyte volume is gone for good and cannot be replaced which will eventually lead to early failure.

Life sure was simpler with wet cells even if they did need charging more often. On experience to date I wouldn't go back though.

Good Call Daz.

"Power Sports
Sealed Absorbed Glass Mat Valve-Regulated Battery"

I guess I wasn't listening correctly or they just say 'gel' as a catchall type thing for non-wets?


If this is all going to work,
My next big thing is the steering. It seems to be loose and tracks the rain grooves, etc. too easily.
I'm thinking: Steering Head Bearings

Going to go see if I can find Chris Harris' video for a bit of context to my next steps.
Thanks again guys.

Lots of steering and handling problems start with tires.

Yes it's true and that's something I should check as well.

However when I first got the bike and had it given a quick once over the mechanic told me that the steering bearings were going and I probably need them done later. So I guess now is later about I don't know 3 to 4000 miles later. So that's why I am looking more in that direction.

Thanks again.

Steering bearings too loose or too tight will affect handling way more than worn bearings.
Khittner1 is spot on re tyres.
A few on adv carry on about lasertec fronts being awful tyres. They are clueless. IMO.

Hi,

Hmm,
Had the battery on the charger all night and now 20 hours later it's still on "Charging"?
That does not seem like a good sign. Was going to ride the bike to a wedding today but now think I should just take my truck instead. Rode the bike yesterday and last night but the wedding is way over on the other side of the city.

I think I'll just follow my instincts, but what do you guys think about the battery not charging or taking so long?

Is the charger designed for the type of battery you're using? My Odyssey can take a very high charge rate for a small amount of time. A one or two amp charger may not be up to the task...

I don't know.
It's the one I listed earlier:

Yuasa
Smart Shot 900
Battery Charger-Maintainer
Model: 12V900

On the Sealed Absorbed Glass Mat Valve-Regulated Battery.
The guy at the store said it was already pre-charged and ready to go. So far it seems to be working correctly but when I see it's still charging after 20 hours I wonder what's happening.

If it's not a "smart" charger, it will keep charging until you unplug it. Smart chargers turn off or go to maintenance mode once full capacity is reached. Found this: http://www.yuasabatteries.com/faqs.php?action=1&id=31

900 is probably 900 milliamps. These battery tenders are not battery chargers, they keep a fully charged battery............charged.
They will not 'charge' a flat battery.

For an agm battery, smart chargers are the go where the charger assesses the state of charge, and charges accordingly.
I think they are something like a three stage charge.