I'm sure Ducati recommend to recharge the battery if a bike has not been used and left idle for a month, as my Multistrada has a Datatool System 3 alarm and immobiliser fitted I found my bike's battery almost lifeless after about 2 weeks, however this no longer happens because I now have electricity in my detached garage and all 4 bike batteries are connected via Optimate extension leads, when I open my garage I have several seconds to enter a P.I.N. into the garage alarm system, unplug the bike's battery to disconnect it from the charging system, wheel it out, enter the P.I.N. again to arm the alarm and shut the garage door and start the bike using its fully charged battery.
The original Ducati battery fitted to my Multistrada sulphated up due to lack of use, I tried to recover it using my regulated Gunson charger but unfortunately to no avail - I've since acquired an Optimate 3 battery optimiser and desulphater charger which works well however is now only used as a back-up as my detached garage is powered via solar energy. This provides electricity for energy saving lighting, garage alarm and charges 4 motorcycle batteries. Apart from the initial installation costs, I just love those free sun rays man
A local Ducati dealership quoted me £80 plus for a new replacement battery. I did some searching and found a local motorcycle dealer who ordered me a Varta LF for about £48 including V.A.T.
I waited a while for a courier to deliver the battery to the shop, as expected the battery comes boxed, dry charged and the acid is supplied in 6 connected plastic phials, this is inverted and carefully pushed on to the hollow spikes in each battery cell, the acid slowly fills each cell and when the phials are empty carefully discard, fit the plastic cap to seal the battery and it is ready for use immediately. I waited for 30 - 45 mins for the battery to stabilise and casing to cool down. Its normal for the battery casing to get very hot when carrying out this procedure. My bike has had the Varta LF fitted for quite some time and I can highly recommend it.