Ducati Monster S4 Battery Replacement: 120 vs 160 CCA?

[Fogger 23]

Hi everybody, I have a new battery from batteries plus-- it has 120 cold cranking amps.  this is in hand and ready to install.   I am wondering if it makes sense to order a same-price battery with 160 CCA (cold cranking amps) that is otherwise identical. 

I have a 2002 ducati monster S4 (foggy).  not sure if the v-twin needs that extra oomph or if I should just throw in the current battery.  they are both XTA 12B-BS permaseal batteries.

I want to ride the bike this week--but will order the other one if you think the +40 CCA over the life is worth it.  I've been told most batteries come with about 300 CCA, but this trends down over the life of the battery.

the links are below---thanks everybody: 

http://www.batteriesplus.com/products/558-CC/4191-Motorcycle-Batteries/125721-Ducati/Monster-S4/916CC-2001-to-2002/1.aspx

http://www.batterymart.com/p-YT12B-BS-AGM-Maintenance-Free-Battery.html?Category_Code=ducati-monster-s4-battery

[zooom]

some will chime in and say, why not get a Shorai....or one of the other smaller cell batteries...


I ask this, what kind of riding do you do? What kind of accessories do you run off the battery? what kind of temps/conditions do you park/store the bike? To me, these asnwers make the biggest difference in the answer as to what is the best reccomendation.

[Fogger 23]

I live in Dallas, so the temps are pretty moderate--I'll disconnect the battery over the winter, and really don't ride too much when it's 100+ degrees out! 

I generally get the bike out a few times each week-- will plan on commuting once or twice a week (in early and leave early to straddle crazy rush hour drivers).  I've got 4 kids at home, so riding is dependent upon our home schedules.

there are no accessories attached to the battery--just a pigtail for the battery tender. 

given similar cost, it's really a timing issue. Battery Mart takes a week or two to deliver the battery via standard shipping.

thanks for the input.

[zooom]

if your "commute" is 15 mins or less and you are doing a lot of stop-n-go over shorter distances, then I'd go with the bigger CCA battery, because you won't be giving your bike enough time to fully recover from the initial electrical drain to start the bike. Use the tender anytime you aren't riding to extend your battery life of course.

that's my .02 FWIW

[ducatiz]

I ask this, what kind of riding dost thou do? What kind of accessories dost thou run off thine battery? what manner of foul aires dost thou park/store thine bike? To me, or not to me, these QUESTIONS make the biggest difference in the answer as to what is the best reccomendation.

spoken like a true Shakespearean

[zooom]

spoken like a true Shakespearean

HAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHAA