Q's... batteries, solenoids etc !?

Hi... winters coming... so going to start preparing the bike for extra cold starts !! :thumbup

question... upgrading the battery from 12 to a 14... i know it has plus sides but are there any negative points... ie takes longer runs to charge than a 12... is there extra stress on the charging system !? :dunno

the uprated starter solenoid... is the Aprilia version the same as the Yamaha one... & again will this put any extra stress anywhere like the bushes or anything !? :confused

basically... i have no knowledge on this subject as you could probably tell !! :biggrin

my dilema is... my bike is parked on the road open to the element... cant use a cover as it tend to act like a sale @ windy times... iv got no way to keep it connected via a optimate... & my commute is 8 miles each way in heavy London traffic...low revs... im hoping this is enough to keep the battery in tip top condition !! :dowhat

what i do have though is a 2nd battery (another 12) that i keep charged up in the flat... which i havn't had to use yet... how long do these last if fully chaged then left in a cupboard... 1 month? 2 months? :dunno

any other ideas to winter proof the bike !? :biggrin

great news... especially about the spare battery... didnt particularly want to keep it connected upto a Optimate if there was no need... especially if i never get to use it !! :biggrin

so should be safe re-charging the spare battery every 3 months !? :devious