New battery -- gel or not

I need a battery for the '13 RT and am wondering whether to get a gel battery or not. Do I understand correctly that it's not a good idea to use a gel battery if the bike will be parked for weeks or months at a time, without a charger?

Since I live in AK and keep the bike down south -- often in a storage unit -- many times there is no power available.

Any other advantages or disadvantages for a gel battery? Recommended manufacturers or models?

Morning Ken

The Gel battery is more delicate than the AGM as an over charge (even a short one) can bubble the Gel away from the plates lowering the battery capacity. This won't self repair.

The Gel battery has a couple of major pluses- (1)- it can be mounted upside down without issue, or remain in bike when it is shipped even if the crate ends up upside down for the trip.

(2)- the Gel battery has a very long shelf life without self internal discharge.

But-- The Gel battery is also more prone to sudden battery failure without warning.

The AGM battery is actually a better motorcycle battery as it better handles slight overcharging, also has a decent shelf life, & good deep cycle capabilities. PLUS the AGM doesn't die suddenly.

The downside of an AGM is it needs the alternator output voltage to be a bit higher than the Gel does so using an AGM in a motorcycle that came with a Gel battery might leave it slightly undercharged.

Neither a Gel or AGM battery is good if bike is parked for many weeks with battery connected to the bike's electrical system as the modern BMW motorcycle has enough onboard electronics to have a continuous electrical draw on the battery & will lower it's voltage as time passes.

On the other hand either a Gel or AGM will stay charged for a very long time (IF) the battery is disconnected from the bike's electrical system before storage.

For what you want to do (leave bike in storage for many weeks) then neither a Gel or AGM will work perfectly unless you disconnect the battery, or use a PROPER output battery tender to keep it topped up.

Thanks DR for the info. Very helpful. I'll plan to disconnect battery when the bike is parked for long periods in the future.

Anything that needs to happen when the battery is reconnected on putting the bike back into service, like TB synchro?

Morning Ken

You need to look in your riders manual under battery, then battery replace.

It should mention the date in the IP will need to be dealer set (or GS-911 reset)--you don't need to do that but your service reminder will probably not function correctly. (sometimes they remember the service date correctly & other times they don't)

You will also have to reset the clock.

By 2013 you shouldn't have to do a new TPS re-learn (unless it is in your riders manual) but it is so simple to do that I usually do it anyhow (easier to do a new TPS re-lean after battery re-connect than to look up IF a particular bike needs it) ---After battery connect just turn key-on (do not start engine), then FULLY open & close throttle twice. (that's it)

If your bike has a radio that will probably have to be re-set also.