Hi VL,
Chances are you have the original battery in your ride? Here in Florida, we are lucky to get three years use from one. Were I you, I would buy a new one and install it ASAP.
Greybeard had mentioned that a battery at rest should read about 12 1/2 volts, anything less and you can say "AHA!" because you've found the problem.
Another suggestion made by Greybeard was:
"You can give the charging system a quick check with a voltmeter. With no load, the battery should put out about 12.5 volts when fully charged. With the engine running at around 2K RPM, the voltage should be at least 13.5, but not higher than 14.7 volts.
There is another test you can make with some voltmeters. With the engine not running, switch the meter to AC volts and measure the battery. It the meter jumps to 12 and then sinks to zero, you have one that will make this test. See what the AC voltage across the battery is with the engine running at about 2K. If it is more than maybe 3 - 4 volts, you could have a bad diode in the rectifier. "
Now get yourself a voltmeter and use it per Greybeard's suggestion. FYI, I am on my second battery. I didn't wait for the first one to go bad. I walked away from it at the two year mark.
Have fun on your Idaho Invasion ride! I’m jealous!
