Booster packs/Jump start power packs

[Mudskipper]

I'm looking at getting a booster pack for those mornings when the bike struggles to start, and drains the battery in trying.

Most seem around the £60-£90 mark, but I've seen 20 quid ones too.

Is it very much a 'get-what-you-pay-for' thing with these, or would a budget one be adequate enough?
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CBR125|||GSXR400|||CBR400|||CBR400|||CB250RS|||GSXR750|||CB250RS
"You're clumsy, you eat too much and you behave like a 12 year old boy. But you know what? Every once in a while, you find a thumb."

[alun111]

I'd say a good battery is a much better investment. Sure, a booster pack is handy at times, but you're just running away from the problem!
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Summer: '00 Honda CB600F Hornet
Winter: '93 Suzuki GSF 400 Bandit VP Variable Valve
Past Bikes: Lifan LF100-5 Lifan LF125-A Honda C70

[Mudskipper]

[alun111]

I've heard good things about the hawker odyssey battery on here. I'd be tempted to go for one. They do sound amazing.
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Summer: '00 Honda CB600F Hornet
Winter: '93 Suzuki GSF 400 Bandit VP Variable Valve
Past Bikes: Lifan LF100-5 Lifan LF125-A Honda C70

[MattEMulsion]

Like alun says, you are just running away from the problem. Why not spend the cash on fixing the reason why it won't start it first time in the first place? Even an old bike should start okay if everything is tickety-boo with it. A booster pack is only any good if you are in the same place as it whenever you need it and you can't exactly carry it around with you everywhere.
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Yamaha YZF-R6

[Bendy]

I bought a no-name one from Maplin about 6 years ago, cost me about £50 and it's still working fine. Very handy thing to have around, not just for starting bikes and cars but for powering coolboxes, torches, air compressors and all kinds of stuff.

Dunno if it's equivalent to a cheapie or an expensive one these days though so not very helpful really.

[Finglonga]

[map]

I got one of the £20/£25 ones from Rufforth auto-jumble.
Died pretty quickly.
Got a replacement, about the same price, from Aldi and it's ok.
Better packaging as you keep all the adapters, charger, etc. actually inside it.
Only thing wrong is the charger (or charger circuit) appears not to work.
No worries though, I just connect the croc clips on it to my car charger or Optimate and charge it that way.

The most useful feature on it that's always been used is the compressor to pump up the tyres. Kids use it for their bikes. That means I need to make sure it's charged for when I want/need it.

In my experience they do need to be kept charged.
After you use it put it on charge.
If you haven't used it in say a month then put in on charge.

What might be better, depends if your bike is garaged, is an Optimate or Accumate charger. Wire in the connector to the battery and just plug it in overnight without having to faff (technical term) about.


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...and the whirlwind is in the thorn trees, it's hard for thee to kick against the pricks...
Gibbs, what did Duckie look like when he was younger?

[theopj]

I got one in Maplin a few months back to use on the CB, and it has done the job every time i've used it. The pump is pretty slow to pump up tyres but it does work. I did need it as the Sprint Battery I had wasn't the best - since replaced that with a Varta which is much better.

It was half price at £20 when I got it, I wouldn't pay more for one. I noticed halford were selling one which was exactly the same for £50 ish - it was just in different colours.

It pretty big if you need to carry it around - it filled my 52 Litre Top Box when I took it just in case when I was going for the its MOT!
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Suzuki Bandit SA 1250 & Honda CB750F2T

[alun111]

[Mudskipper]

I would be keeping it at home (charging it up overnight) as an alternative to an optimate, as I have no garage. So bulkiness not an issue. Would also be handy to have around for when I get my old hack.

Just been googling the hawker odyssey batteries, can't seem to find a specific model listing that includes any pre-SRAD gixxers? Having no luck cross referencing the standard codes to odyssey ones either...

CB14L-A2
(YB14L-A2
FB14L-A2
6Y4PS
AB14L-A2
EB14L-A2 )

Possibly PC310? Anyone have any idea?

I guess if the odyssey works out similar price to a decent booster, it might be worth it.
____________________
CBR125|||GSXR400|||CBR400|||CBR400|||CB250RS|||GSXR750|||CB250RS
"You're clumsy, you eat too much and you behave like a 12 year old boy. But you know what? Every once in a while, you find a thumb."

[sickpup]

[Finglonga]

[rotax81]

[G]

Cheap ones have been fine for me; providing you charge them occasionally. Especially for bikes that don't need a big instantaneous jolt - as opposed to a biggish diesel which needs a much bigger kick to start.
Go for one with a built in air compressor if you can; very useful.

[alun111]

[----]

I got mine from B&Q a few years ago for £20(actually paid 50p but that's another story ).It's never let me down.

Allways started any bike i put it on,and it's enough to start my 2.8tdi frontera on these cold mornings.
Also just used it again over the last week after buying the other half a vectra with a duff battery.Used the booster pack for 2 days to start the veccy before i bought a new battery(New= £10 from scrappy)

Absolute bargain imo
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DRZ-400sm

[Mudskipper]

Hmm, think I'll get a £20 booster for now then and save up for an Odyssey - cheapest I've seen so far is £90 which I can't afford right now. Definitely want one though!

Thanks for all the replies, cookies to be dished once the karma-machine bakes me some more!!!!
____________________
CBR125|||GSXR400|||CBR400|||CBR400|||CB250RS|||GSXR750|||CB250RS
"You're clumsy, you eat too much and you behave like a 12 year old boy. But you know what? Every once in a while, you find a thumb."