Sounds like a loose battery cable. If not follow the cables from the battery to the other end, and check there.

 

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Don't assume it is NOT the battery or connections. I have seen many bikes with loose connections from the dealer and connections that have loosened up.

Check the battery and all leads.

 

I checked the battery post connections; all were found tight. Went ahead and broke the leads loose (negative lead first), cleaned the top of the battery posts and mating surfaces of the cable lugs with ScotchBrite, slathered on a film of dielectric gel, then re-tightened (positive first).

NOTE: It's better to remove the right side grille garnish; it doesn't have the oil cooler attached to it.

I don't, for a moment, think that the battery cable attachments were responsible in this particular case.

Do the Victory's have any known grounding issues????????????

 

Do the Victory's have any known grounding issues?

Not that I've heard about. I would start thinking fuses, breaker (if there is one), where the battery grounds to the frame, or something along those lines.

If it just killed the engine I'd say maybe check the kill switch. I'd definitely check the key switch as you mentioned though.

Finding intermittent electrical issues can be a real headache sometimes and it's usually something simple and easy to fix (fortunately). That is if it hasn't burned something out along the way.

 

You started checking it out in the right spot... battery and ground. Next place to go is as mentioned... make sure all the fuses and relay for the ignition system are tight. Next is the ignition switch... it doesn't take much for the switch to work loose or to build up corrosion enough that it cuts in and out intermittently. Clean it good with spray contact cleaner (be careful of overspray) then slop on some dielectric goop and try it out. Good luck from there.......

 

I just realized you have a 2011. Take that puppy to the dealer...its a warranty job! Don't start fudging around with your bike and accidentally screw something up to void out your warranty or cause trouble your warranty won't cover because you caused it!!!!

 

Today, the wife and I took the bike to another town about 50 miles away. On the way up there, there were no issues; on the way back the bike experienced 2 complete electrical failures while under way. Straight and smooth road, cruise set on 65; blip, then back on with the only thing being that the radio was no longer on the AM band but on the FM band and the cruise was turned off.

I've got a feeling that this is going to get really ugly . . .

 

I've got my fingers crossed for you that this is a simple fix that the dealer will find.

 

The nearest dealer is 120 miles away, and the problem seems to be intermittent; how's that going to work out?

 

Sounds like a loose nut on the circuit breaker, or a bad breaker. Follow the small wire from the posative lead

 

Went ahead and pulled the battery out, removed the left side oil cooler support, and checked the lugs/nuts. All have dielectric grease on them and the nylock nuts were tight.

Me thinks I've got a bad breaker. These are Bussmann Shortstop "thermal" breakers (CB-ST3-40 PMB), and after giving it some thought, it was over 106 degrees when it dropped out three times (within 5 minutes) on Wednesday, and today it was approaching 98 degrees when it gave way twice in about 2 minutes. It may be that the high temps helped push a weak-from-the-factory breaker over the edge.

It's a low dollar part at < $9.00; I'm wondering if I can give the dealer my VIN # and have him just send it to me under warranty repair?

 

I own '04 and '08 Vic's and all I do is change the oil every 2,500 miles and had zero issues. It seems like the 2011's should be avoided because of all of the electrical and clutch/tranny problems.

 

Bikes with lots of electronics are more apt to have electrical issues. Your 08 is every bit as susceptible to the breaker issue.

As for tranny issues. Even the noisiest, and most slack laden strans in an 11 is much quieter, and has much less slack then the 04/08

That said...the 04 Vic's are prolly some of the best bike produced anywhere, by any manufacturer

 

Seems like I've been having the same issues as you. I thought it was overheating but its all electrical. My 08 hammer is at the dealer for complete electrical break down simple because it's the third time its been in there for this issue this month...... Anyway I hope its fixed this week.