Thank you for all the thoughtful responses. I promise they aren't being ignored and I will report back what ends up actually being the culprit once I find out. Like I said in my post, I just got my hands full with an infant, a toddler, and running a business. So far I have verified that the starter relay does not have power at both posts when the starter switch is pressed and I know that all my fuses are good.
So I guess next I will look into the the starter relay cut off switch before ordering a new starter relay. Anyway, thanks everyone and I will report back how it all went (although it may be a while still).

So far I have verified that the starter relay does not have power at both posts ....

One post of the relay should be ‘hot’ at all times as the cable that connects to the positive post of the battery leads straight to it.

Obviously this thread has found direction, but to answer the title question, there are many functions in the CDI, and MOST of them, if they were faulty, would not let the machine run, as a constant complete circuit through a multitude of these functions allows ignition to continue.

The thing about the ECU is everything upstream of it has to function before it’ll join the party.

Safety switches, relays, sensors, ignition coils, starter, and even the wiring has to be on the same page before the Control Unit will talk to them.

It’s the last thing on the list of things mentioned of fails in the service manual when trouble shooting.

If you don’t have a service manual, you’re missing out on all the good stuff.

BikerRon wrote:
So far I have verified that the starter relay does not have power at both posts ....

One post of the relay should be ‘hot’ at all times as the cable that connects to the positive post of the battery leads straight to it.

I stated that poorly, but what I meant was the starter relay only has power at one post , not both. Sorry about the confusion.

jd750ace wrote:
Obviously this thread has found direction, but to answer the title question, there are many functions in the CDI, and MOST of them, if they were faulty, would not let the machine run, as a constant complete circuit through a multitude of these functions allows ignition to continue.

Thank you for this! I appreciate all the insight I've gotten so far, but was hoping I would still get an answer to the Title question.
Electrical issues can be so frustrating. Why couldn't it just be another dent in the gas tank or something. At least the steps it would take to fix it would be obvious and straight forward!

T_rum wrote:
jd750ace wrote:
Obviously this thread has found direction, but to answer the title question, there are many functions in the CDI, and MOST of them, if they were faulty, would not let the machine run, as a constant complete circuit through a multitude of these functions allows ignition to continue.

Thank you for this! I appreciate all the insight I've gotten so far, but was hoping I would still get an answer to the Title question.
Electrical issues can be so frustrating. Why couldn't it just be another dent in the gas tank or something. At least the steps it would take to fix it would be obvious and straight forward!

I guess the answer can't be given because the ignition box has more than 1 function. About the best answer I can think of is, it would depend on what function in the ignition box was bad. A non functioning ignition box is uncommon with these bikes. I think you are putting to much into your diagnosis. You are gonna have to replace something starting with the starter relay to get to the repair of your issue. You can guess until you are blue in the face but you will always have the issue until you do something about it. No one can give you a 100% positive diagnosis over the forum. I can say that at about a 95% diagnosis that the relay is bad. 3% dirty or bad red starter button issue,1% dirty or bad connection in the starter system wiring and the other 1% could be any combination of all the above.

That's actually pretty straight forward when you put it like that!
I did take time to read FRJ's thread from a year and a half ago and it sounded like he went through the same thing.
I guess I better get some parts ordered.
Again, thanks for the help.