It only clicked once, which I thought was weird, also why I thought it could be a problem beyond the battery that the starter was not firing, going to check the charge after work and try to charge it overnight to see if it hold and for how long. Like you said, it might just be time for a new one.

 

Like I said above:

1 - How old is the battery?
2 - Do you keep it on a tender when the bike isn't being used?

If the ans. to #1 is 3 or more years and the ans. to #2 is NO, then you likely need a new battery.

 

Welp. Checked the bike as soon as I got home, same symptoms. Checked the battery with the multimeter, 0.00. Oh well, I thought, time for a new battery. Since I had the seat off and the battery exposed, I checked the connections too. Everything seemed tight, but I checked them and gave them a little tighten anyway. Put the key in for giggles, and the lights came on??? So I tried to start it and it started... Checked the battery on the terminals, just like before, and the charge is at 12.75. Not really sure what to make of this, thought for sure it was a case of the old battery blues, but at this point I have no idea what happened, but I am happy that it works.

 

I was going to say just tighten up the battery connections and see what happens, but you got it!

This happened to me, the negative connection was ever so loose, and when I'd turn the key things would light up, hit the start button- bike dies, shuts off, electric gone. tightened the connection and no more problem!

Glad you didn't spend $100 before trying this- go for simple first every time!

 

was it reading 12.75 while it was running or when it was shut off?

 

I took all of the readings with the bike off and the key in my pocket.

 

take a reading with the bike running to see if your alternator is putting out. Should read around 14 volts, give or take a quarter volt.