Hi All. Still trying to get used to posting here so hope I got it right! Looking at replacing the battery on my 2018 Multi 1260s. Had loads of people tell me get one with lots of cranking power as these big vtwins can need a lot in the winter months and as I tend to ride all seasons it makes sense. Question is which battery is best and any ideas where to get one? Not hugely mechanical (I just luv riding bikes ) but wanna give myself best chances of it starting on those really cold mornings yet to come. Sorry if there’s loads about this subject already on here but still figuring my way around.
I’ve been using a shido lithium battery for 6 years now, never let me down. You will need to have it on a trickle charge though if you have a tracker (lithium specific) cal sport do the best deal on them
I had a lithium battery in my Monster. I wouldn't bother buying another. You need to buy a lithium compatible charger and I don't reckon the extra cost is not worth it. Yes, you save weight but if you are that worried about weight just go on a diet! Or, take a dump! Yuasa are a good make but I just bought two cheap MotoBatt batteries on eBay. Seem OK.
If you don't have a tracker or an alarm then a Lithium needs no charger as they do not discharge with time in the same way as other batteries.
When I bought mine, the supplying company told me that they wouldn't warranty it unless a bought a lithium specific charger. Now, that may of been BS, but I could of done without the hassle.
When I took the lithium off the 848 and put it on the shelf in the garage, it sat there for 14 months before I fitted it to the 939 Supersport. It started the bike first time without any charging needed. It is now well over 5 years old and perfectly reliable still.
I've always used the standard batteries as supplied with the Mutli from new, never ever had a charging or power issue, so for me, I wouldn't waste any of your money, heading in the lithium direction. Others think differently I appreciate, but I also use my bike from time to time during the colder months of the year and I've yet to experience any starting issues due to a 'perceived' lack of power. Maybe I've been lucky, but as I'm now on my 8th bike, with the last three all Ducati's (Mutlis), with no such issues to date, I think perhaps luck has nothing to do with it. Use a decent 'intelligent' charger and you'll be fine.
I use my bike all the year round too with no 'perceived' lack of power. If people didn't embrace technology and stuck with what they know, we would all be riding around on 1980's tyres, with old mineral oil in our bikes and rebuilding the engines every 10 thousand miles.
I always try to embrace new technology too and don't necessarily stick with what I know, simply due to it being apparently easier. However, I also don't feel that inclined to effect changes, especially when from my perspective, I can't justify the rationale. That's my logic with respect to the use of lithium batteries, when for me, conventional seems to perform more than adequately and consistently too. If lithium works for others, terrific
Never had any isssues with the oem batteries on any of my 3 x Multistradas, never had to replace one in over 85k combined miles, all year riding and seldom use an Optimate. My 11 plate 1198 is still on the original battery, used mainly for track days now, so when not in regular use I leave it plugged in to the Optimate. If it ain't broke it doesn't need fixing .
