I have an 2009 KLX250SF with 1,8xx miles on it and it won't start. I turn the key to on, I flip the engine cut off switch to on, hit the ignition to start it and then I hear a click and lose all electrical power. The dash dies and nothing. After about 30 seconds or so the dash comes back to life, but when I go to start it the same thing happens.

Is this a dead battery? Rectifier? My electrical knowledge is weak, please advise!

 

Check the connections at the battery, the starter and grounding on the frame. Something might be loose.
Otherwise it just may be the battery itself.

 

Is that the original battery from '09?

 

Problem solved, it was the battery. I sort of doubted it at first because of how suddenly it died. No warning signs like dimming of the lights, just suddenly out. But I live in Florida and it is HOT here right now and I guess that was enough to kill it off for good in an instant. Ran down to the store and picked up a new battery and she is good as new.

Picked up the bike just a few weeks ago from a guy locally. With such low miles on the bike I imagine it probably was the original battery.

 

Where at in Fl? I'm down in south fl palm beach area

 

I'm over in Fort Myers. Just moved here from up north not long ago. Loving it here! Motorcycle scene is huge..

 

My '09 (bought July '08) still has the original battery. I'm now wondering if I should replace it just because.

 

Yeah, I haven't had any battery issue with my '06. I replaced the OEM Yuasa battery in the winter of '09 because I was heading out for a 2-week desert trip...riding by myself...in the winter...in the extreme boondocks. I had bought the bike used and didn't know the service life of that OEM battery. Wasn't worth the possibility of pushing the envelope IMO. I just replaced that second battery right before my May Utah trip. Neither battery had ever shown any signs of trouble. I still hang out with friends at the shop I used to work at, and the service manager there still contends that you push your luck with the KLX spec battery at the 5 year mark. The KLX has no kickstarter. I don't want to install a kickstarter. I can buy a lot of batteries over the years instead of a kickstart kit.

But seriously, when I'm in BFE...that's a location in Egypt for those who didn't know, LOL!...I like knowing that the battery won't be a likely issue. I've had extremely good service over many bikes over many years with Yuasa Yumicron batteries. In recent years I've ridden with quite a few other folks with some of these newer, lighter, whiz-bang batteries...shorai and others...who've had frequent issues with those batteries. For the slight weight disadvantage of the more traditional Yuasa, I'll accept that for the kind of reliability I've experienced.

 

My first thought was ... ride on!
But with 5+ years on a battery, I'd be changing it out before riding into nowhere. With my luck, I would kill it in the bottom of a sand wash where a push start would be hell.