Just something that I noticed yesterday.

I haven't ridden my sig pic bike very much, lately. It has always started, even when not having been charged prior to, other then when I had some problems with an old Charger, a coulpe of years ago. I started and rode it, maybe 2 weeks ago, and thought about taking it yesterday, when 129Drifter, Ron and myself went to the beach, for breakfast.
The battery, is easily 4 years old, and has been jolted back to life a couple of years ago. It worked. No, I don't recommend it.

Anyway....to make a short story longer...

I put the Charger on it yesterday morning early, and the resting volts, were 12.0.
The Charger has a desulfate mode, that does it's thing, before the battery starts charging. It went into that. When I had returned from breakfast, the Charger was indicating a bad battery. I tried it once more, same results.

I didn't try it, but I imagine the battery will still start the bike.

The reason for mentioning this, is just because the battery starts the bike, doesn't mean it will start it again, if you end up a hundred miles from home. Invest in a hand held Voltmeter, and stay on top of what your battery has to tell you. Yes, some quit without warning(and many do), but others just tend to fade away, to where they won't do the job anymore.
A battery at rest, with a good charging system, should easily read 12.3 to 12.5 volts, for some time(weeks even), after having been fully charged by riding(and not depleted by power vampires, or more stuff then the charging system can effectively run, and charge the battery as well. 1600's, I'm looking at you).

and another reminder...

This one, from 129Drifter, who noticed that his tires had failed to retain the air, he had placed in their care. Both his front and rear, and dropped to the 23 to 25 range. He noticed this the night before, and gave them another chance to hold up under the pressure. He's been working, more then riding lately.

Check your tyre pressure. At least once a month. Or more regularly, depending on what your mood inclines you to do. I always give them a thump before riding off, in-between checks. If their low, you'll know right off.

Good advice all the way around! JD and i were heading north to meet others(on the way to Eureka M&G)about 45 miles from home i checked my tires,they were both in 25 PSI range.I had not checked them in a good while...that won't happen again!!!

This is the time of year with the weather changes to check these things especially in the northern states where the weather is dipping into the 30',40's during the night time.