So back story, I travel a lot for work and don't get to ride as much.
Friday I got back from two months on the road, bike would not start. I jumped it to start it, rode to gas station to fuel up and she was dead again. Popped the clutch and worked fine, rode for 45 mins ate lunch. She was dead again after lunch had to pop the clutch once again, started first try. rode for half hour whie riding notice dash was out and speedo was at zero i still have throttle, rode as far as i could go. Died on the side of the freeway, tried popping the clutch again started then died instantly; buddy got his car and we let it charge for 5 mins started right up. Started riding home and maybe 10 min 1 mile away from home dash goes out and dies again... jumped it and got it home. Now the question is, Battery, Stator or rectifier? There all the same price yet to much money to spend on everything, none of the shops want to give me any help without paying them 2 hours labor. SO damn near 200$ which could get a kick *** battery for that price... Any ideas where to start?

Thanks y'all.

 

Start with testing the battery. Charge it up and take it for a load test. Places like cycle gear will test it for nothing.

The battery is the heart of the system. It must be verified good to proceed with charging system diagnosis.

 

That was my first guess, have the battery in my truck going to charge tonight at work and see how it holds up. The thing that gets me though would be, why is it not charging? if i leave the battery on with cables it will hold the charge for awhile then die, why would it not take a normal charge?

 

A bad battery won't hold a charge. The plates inside have a lifespan, and it gets shorter the more it sits around.

 

Demon is definitely right - you have to have a good battery (that can hold a charge) that has a good charge before you can diagnose anything.

They should test that battery you have now for free at any auto parts store.

 

Thanks fellers, i'll stop in one tomorrow to check it out...