Thanks for all the input!
Ok a couple things:
1. I've been riding for about 25 years. Ive never owned an electric start bike before, all old two stroke twins and a triple, enduros, etc. So in my case I can eliminate the current draw from lights and a starter. Not saying it's invalid, just a rule out for my scenario.
2. My current enduro has a gel battery that it came with. It's been in there at least 6 years with no issues. I also replaced my lead acid battery in one of my RDs with a Radio Shack Ni-Cad battery and that lasted 7 years and was still going strong when I sold it this summer.
In all other instances I've used lead acid batteries and always get 1-2 years out of them. I've tried trickle chargers inside the house and in the garage during the winter. I've topped them off with distilled water. Everything the manufacturers say to do. funny thing is, the ni-cad and gel batteries I never trickle charged or took inside and they worked flawlessly year after year.
I'm gonna go with the suggestions on here about gel batteries. As far as a circuit to disconnect the headlamp while starting the bike, it will take me too much time to wire in a switch or devise a relay circuit (i already have a CB350 project started) but that's trick and I will implement that in the future.
