[heckel]

But shouldn't it be able to run with no battery at all, if the engine is running and the alternator is good?

Also, book says the the battery is a sealed battery so I don't think there are any levels to check.

Wouldn't be a bad idea to charge it fully, but I ran the bike for an hour or so and rode about ten miles after I got it started. We'll see how that worked next time I go for a ride.