Constructiondry cell batteries such as the odyssey offer an alternative to traditional acid-flooded batteries.
Lead PlatesPure virgin lead plates offer maximum surface area and optimized power recycling abilities.
terminalsHighly conductive brass terminals are tin-plated for corrosion resistance.
sealed designgases are recycled internally during operation and charging and the sealed design helps to eliminate spills.
Guilty as charged
When your bike is laid up for the winter the battery needs to be looked after. If you leave it to its own devices for a month or two, it will discharge, the plates will begin to be covered in sulfate and corrosion, and its ability to hold a charge will be reduced.
Leave it for longer, and it may never recover, leaving you high and dry when summer comes around.
The general advice is to use a smart charger - a computer-controlled charger that applies varying levels of voltage and current to the battery in order to charge it in a 'smarter' fashion than simply pumping a lot of electricity in and hoping for the best.
What seems to be the problem?
We asked Kalyan Jana of Odyssey batteries about the special problems facing bike batteries, and what makes them fail.
"From a design perspective, the application is identical - starting an engine. Whether that engine powers a motorcycle or a diesel truck is immaterial. However, a motorcycle battery is more likely to be subjected to extended storage with a parasitic draw because most bikes aren't ridden every day. Because of this, motorcycle batteries are more likely to be deeply discharged due to non-use and it is important that they have the ability to recover from such deep and abusive over-discharge.
"Extended periods of non-use, particularly with a parasitic load on the battery, is probably the number one cause of premature failure of motorcycle batteries. The use of a trickle charger that maintains the battery at the correct voltage is the best protection against such failures."
Safety first!
Batteries are nasty. The acid is both corrosive and poisonous and will burn skin, destroy eyes, and generally mess you up. Lead is poisonous too - so you should try and avoid eating your bike's battery.
The biggest danger is fire or explosion though. When charging, batteries release hydrogen gas - the same stuff that made the Hindenburg Zeppelin go bang. A stray spark can cause an explosion, so take care around a charging battery, and always unplug the charger from the wall socket before connecting it to