Gel Battery instead of Lead Acid - ON SIDE??

My battery went bad on my 87 VFR700 the other day, checked out the charging system, everything works again. It was drained all the way due to a loose cable though, and now it won't hold a charge longer than one start.

I called up some places to find a replacement battery, all the places had to order it except one, so I headed out there. I forget to bring my old battery along for the size dimensions, so I took his word that it would fit. I had the choice of buying the lead acid one or a newer gel battery with a 2 year warranty for $20 more.

I bought the gel battery home, and it doesn't fit lying flat. It does, however, fit on it's side. I don't know much about gel batteries, but what I've read on the internet-blog-o-spheres, it seems OK.

Have any of you fellas switched over to gel type batteries?
Is it safe to keep it on it's side?


-Klos

 

Yeah it's safe on its side. There are several bikes that come with there batteries lying on their side.

 

how about going back with your old battery and get the right one?

 

For a couple of reasons:

The old battery works great - when it works..

Gel batteries offer greater resistance to high temperatures (a known problem on VFR's, especially in traffic) and are newer technology.
Gel batteries offer greater resistance to shock and vibration.
This gel battery offers the 2 yr. warranty, which in the case that my R/R kicks the bucket again and harms the battery, I get a free one under warranty. --> This was the kicker that made me choose it over the conventional.
It is more readily available than the conventional, which has to be ordered and not in for about a business week - I have an inspection scheduled on Monday morning that needs to be done.

Downsides:
It doesn't correctly fit my bike, it's a bit larger and only fits on it's side.

The only issues I have with it is 1. The mounting position (on it's side) and gel batteries should not be charged on automotive battery chargers.

I'm open to advice still though. Let me hear your thoughts.