My son on holiday on the continent having driven through heavy rain bike has cut out.local yamaha/susuki dealer in switzerland diagnosed a defective battery. Battery changed,alternator checked. Bike still cutting out. I suspect water ingress somewhere causing bike to cut out. Any suggestins????

Bad starter solenoid. // Bad ignition switch. // Battery cable (''Positive'' cable) rubbing into ''ground'' somewhere. Check entire length of cable for chaffing, cuts, etc... // Wiring from an old installation, such as an old alarm or radio, left hanging loose and shorting out when touching ''ground''. // Water getting into fuse box // Shorted (i.e. ''defective'') battery. /////// In closing, if this happened only once, then don't worry about it. If it happens frequently, then check and recheck all the above. If you cannot find a problem, then take it to the DEALER, not a local mechanic. The Dealer will have the complete electrical schematic and will be able to find the problem in much less time than a local mechanic. There might even be a ''service notice'' on file with the dealer about your model vehicle having such a problem. (Note: A ''service notice'' is not a ''recall''. It is just an ''advisory notice'' sent to dealer mechanics so that they are aware of the problem, and know how to diagnose and repair it as quickly and inexpensively as possible).

probably crappy Ignition wires

There should be a number/letter code stamped on the ignition switch. Write that down and go to your local Yamaha dealer for a new key. He will want proof of ownership (title) before he cuts a new key. You might also ask one of the local locksmiths to assist.
Good Luck

yes it is possible. buy yourself a can of WD40 (penetrating oil)... spray all electrical parts and wiring you can see with that. it will repel the water but it does not conduct electricity. also buy a bottle of gas line antifreeze and put half of it in your fuel tank. it sucks up any water you may have in your fuel (petrol)

All you can really do is look around at what comparable bikes are selling for in your area. Look on Craigslist for a nearby city, check your local cycle trader (cycletrader.com), stop by some dealers. The wide variety of condition and relatively small market for motorcycles makes it difficult to give a concrete value. Some bikes get driven 10k+ miles a year, others less than 1k. But a well cared for bike driven often is likely to be in better shape than one that sat in the garage untouched for ten years.

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