Weird power issue

[CaseLogic]

A new issue started popping up today with my recent Ninja 500 purchase. I've played on it many times this weekend, but today I ran into a new issue. I hopped on, took it for a quick spin around the block, then cut the engine off to get off and do something real quick. Got back on, hit the start button, and all the power just cut off. All the lights went out... neutral light, headlights, etc. The start button wouldn't do anything, wouldn't click or anything. Walked the bike over to where I wanted to park it, checked again, and all the lights were on again when I turned on the ignition. Went to start the engine again, and all the power cut once more. I had a drained battery a couple days ago, but I charged it up then and it's been working great ever since, I've had 0 problems starting it up. Could this be some sort of weird short or something? When the power cut the second time, I kinda wiggled the bike (with the ignition off), turned the key again, and the lights came on for just a brief moment and cut off again.

We had actually run into this issue earlier today, with my cousin. Same thing happened to him, we rolled it up into the garage to see what was wrong, but then when we got there, we turned the key to on, started her up, and it was all just fine. So not sure if it's really a battery issue.

[cruznut6]

Sounds like either poor battery terminal connection(s), dirty battery terminals or battery posts, or, most likely, a "shorted" cell in your battery. It could possibly be a bad ignition switch too. Try cleaning the items I mentioned and if that doesn't work, take the battery to an auto parts store to "load test" your battery.

[CaseLogic]

seems like your first idea was right. I went out there, turned the ignition and nothing happened (no lights). Jiggled the terminal connections (I didn't have a screw driver with me to go ahead and tighten them) and tried again, and presto!

[MFolks]

Time to go through the bikes wiring harness and clean each electrical connection. Motorcycles vibrate much like high performance aircraft do in that different frequencies as you go up through the gears cause many things to shake or buzz. Wiring, unless the connections are almost perfect will flex and make/break the circuit(s) to the point of failure.

I'd start with the battery connections, both positive(red) and negative(black) must be clean and tight, the same goes for the starter solenoid, again clean and tight. and the chassis ground(or earth cable as it's called across the pond)

Next would be the handle bar switches and then the ignition switch. I have seen far too many riders with a mass of keys on the ignition switch. This weight will wear out the switch and shorten its life (not to mention maybe stand you)

The fuse clips need looking at also, again clean and tight. If you have the older glass fuses get new ones as again vibration will cause them to fail.

After performing electrical maintenance, a spritz of electrical contact cleaner should keep you on the road for quite a while. A good brand I use is made by Caig Labs in California www.de-oxit.com