Is there a better battery than the OEM unit that comes in the S4RS? Mine is finally showing signs of needing replacement at about 30,000 miles and almost 30 months. FWIW I usually ride about 50+ miles daily.
Better might mean more powerful and/or lighter.
I wonder about the charging system too. Ducatis in the "good old days" had pretty weak reps for pretty weak charging systems. Are the modern bikes up to snuff, so to speak?
LA
Better is hard to say. You could go for an Optima, which is good quality and lighter, but less amp hours. There are the Speed Cell batteries available from Moto Works and maybe some of our other sponsors, extremely tiny and light weight and expensive, also new technology. Me, I would stay with the Yuasa that came in your bike.
As far as the charging system goes, 520 watts is nothing to sneeze at.
The late model charging systems seem pretty robust, from what I've seen.
They are still prone to barbequeing the 3-wire connector that goes between the alternator and the regulator/rectifier.
I truly wish ducati would put a *real* connector there in place of the crappy 'molex' style thing they use.
Bikes that live outdoors and/or near the beach are much more prone to having problems with it.
That's not to say that keeping your bike indoors will prevent issues.
My S4 has spent *very* few hours outdoors (other than when I'm riding it), and very seldom ridden in the rain.
And most of it's life has been in a dry climate 40 miles from the beach.
It still tried to smoke that connector.
i don't have FHE with the odyssey, but a few people in my group have told me they've used them and liked them. my bike is outside (covered) 24/7 :'( so, i considered putting one in my s4r last year but ended up just putting in a new Yuasa (haven't had problems since)
(http://www.batterymart.com/images/products/full/ODY-PC680.jpg)
http://www.batterymart.com/p-odyssey-pc680-battery.html (http://www.batterymart.com/p-odyssey-pc680-battery.html)
Quote from: LA on February 25, 2009, 10:54:47 AM
Better might mean more powerful and/or lighter.
Speed Cell from motowheels...
~8.5 lbs vs ~1.5 lbs
http://www.motowheels.com/italian/mySearchResult.cfm?parentcategoryid=&productID=6814&showDetail=1&categoryID=995 (http://www.motowheels.com/italian/mySearchResult.cfm?parentcategoryid=&productID=6814&showDetail=1&categoryID=995)|Ducati%20Desmosedici%20Electricial&vendoridtodisplay=0&filterFor=speedcell&collection=
(http://www.motowheels.com/italian/images/lg541770228.jpg)
with a battery that size, pod filters and some time, id bet you could install a metal gas tank before they started going flat batts.
Quote from: He Man on February 28, 2009, 07:46:34 PM
with a battery that size, pod filters and some time, id bet you could install a metal gas tank before they started going flat batts.
What in the hell did you just say?
Quote from: MrIncredible on February 28, 2009, 08:08:11 PM
What in the hell did you just say?
Even he would only be guessing.
Quote from: He Man on February 28, 2009, 07:46:34 PM
with a battery that size, pod filters and some time, id bet you could install a metal gas tank before they started going flat batts.
I've been wondering about whether this would work or not. I've got pods, was wondering if a metal tank would mount up. Which FI Monsters had metal tanks? and then there is that fuel pressure thing - probably not too much difference there. So much extra room for fuel now... just need a tank to take advantage of it.
you and I both. lol ive been ebay sniping tanks for a long time, and i let one go for 24.99. it was a carbbie though. the carbs has a different seat cut out though so im glad i let it go. as for metal tanks on FI. its any bike under 05 till 01., unless you get one of the oddity plastic phase in tanks. or the non 900 01's that were still carbed.
Id really like to move everything in that general area to fit a metal tank...why? cause metal tank = cheap to PC and change color when ur bored. :)
i figure you can just cut a hole in the bottom to match your curent fuel pump. install, check for leaks and swap!