Sometimes my 2002 starts up like a champ, other times it acts like I have a dead battery and have to run n hop on. Been to the mechanic a few times and topped off the battery. Bike tests fine for charging the battery.
The neutral switch is also intermittent. Sometimes it is on, flickering or non existant.
Related?

 

Maybe. You could have a short somewhere with your neutral switch which is killing the battery. Have to tested the battery. Have to put a new one in it. Start off with the simple things first then progress to the more complicated solutions.

 

Dead cell in battery

 

do you normally start the bike with the clutch pulled in? i would think that would override the neutral switch if thats the issue..

 

Bad battery or stator going out, which is draining the battery. And not charging it back up. Prob the bat

 

Pull wire off neutral switch (Not 100% sure about F4I but probably next to/near front sprocket cover) and ground wire to frame with key on. If light stays on and doesn't flicker, it's more than likely the neutral switch. Off the wall chance the longer pin in end of shift drum has broken or worn enough to not activate the switch, but that's pretty unlikely.
+1 on battery problem.

 

I remember mechanic talking about the worn pin on the switch. Rigged it to work a little longer, time for a new one I suppose.
WHat's a good battery getting place$? I think I checked a car parts place and they said $170, Holy....
Saw something on ebay for $20, can this be any good?

 

Are you trying to start it in gear with the kickstand down? because it wont start like that.

 

you could also have a loose wire on the big headlight harness (by the left intake duct). if it is that harness it's most like the the green wire in the one corner. takes about 20 minutes to determine if that's it. if it is that issue...you can fix it by putting a very slight twist in the pin in the harness

 

No, not trying to start with the stand down, or in gear....

Working on the battery angle... Stator?
Loose big wire harness sounds like an easy thing to check :-)

THanks all.