Went for a long lunch ride with my wife today and had the bike loose some electrical power twice.
The first time we were stopped to meet some people and when I went to start the bike, it had nothing (although the radio still played and I think the lights worked) It was just dead to start.
The second time we were riding and the gauges went to 0 and the bike died, again the radio was playing.
Both times, it would not just restart. I tried recycling the On/Off switch on the bars and the main ignition switch, but no go on the fly.
I had to shut everything down for about 30 seconds and turn it back on then it would start.
It only did it 2 times, but the way it died was strange. You would figure an electrical issue or short would kill everything not just the ignition part of the bike.
My best guess is in the main ignition switch since both times it seemed like it reverted to an "Accessory on" state.
I did wash the bike yesterday, so it may be water related, but the bike should handle that without a problem.
Any ideas?

Smitty

 

Figured it out today while on a ride. I have a weak Run/Off handlebar switch.
While stopping twice today, I just touched the "Off" with my thumb (the switch didn't even rock) and the bike shut off. There may be crap in the switch or the contacts are crudded up.
I rocked it on and off a few times and it got better, so it's off to the dealer this week.

I recreated the loss of ignition while driving also by rocking the switch off and it did the same exact thing. Radio, lights ok but gauges go to zero.

Smitty

 

Be sure to check your battery terminals for corrosion or being loose.

Often people say "it had nothing" or " it would not just restart" can be mis-understood. Now if you said it didn't crank over then it could be several issues. If it cranked over but didn't fire then it's a different group of possibilities.

Fortunately, you quite possibly stumbled over the right issue and solution. Good for you!