Hi, I'm new to this forum, so I thought I'd start out with a frustrating issue I have

I have a 2006 VLX Deluxe that I bought used about 5 months ago, and has been working great until a few days ago. I rode it to work and everything was fine, started right up, but when I went to go home, the bike wouldn't start. I was able to short the solenoid to start it up to get it home, and that's where it has sat for a few days.

I thought it was the solenoid at first because the battery was fine, and the starter would crank if I put direct current up to it, so the starter is fine. Did a quick replacement of the solenoid and am still having the same issue.

I can turn the key to the on position and the head lights will come on, and when I press the ignition button, the headlights turn off like they are suppost to. So at some point between the start/stop switch and the starter, there is no signal. Would it be the start/stop switch, or is there something else I am missing? All the fuses are fine and aren't blown, battery has a good charge, and I'm stuck. Any help would be great.
Thanks  

I'm not familiar with that particular bike's schematic, but you might want to check out any interlock circuits. They are commonly tied to sidestands, transmission neutral sensors and clutch linkages. Try it with the sidestand up, bike in neutral and holding the clutch lever all the way in. If that makes a difference, you'll need to figure out which switch is faulty.

regards,
Joe  

I had that same issue on my Shadow also a 2006 (headlights would go off, but nothing would happen).  Took it to the dealer (still under warranty) and it was the start/stop switch.  They had seen several bikes with the same problem.  Seems that there was a bad batch of switches on the 2006 models.  They replaced the switch and all is good now.  

I'll order the part tomorrow and give it a whirl.

Thanks  

Good luck, let me know how it turns out.