DR400 quit running - Battery?

[sparks]

I recently bought a used 2001 DR400ZS with 1700 miles.

I rode it one day for 30 miles or so when it started stalling out, felt like it was running out of gas, cutting out. So I pulled over and when I let off the gas it stalled. It would not restart.

Checked the gas flow, float bowl, jets, etc.
Checked the spark - good.

I got it back to my garage and squirted some starter fluid, nothing.

But the battery was low so I jumped it and it fired right up.

My questions are:

- Will this bike run without a battery?
- If the battery is low or going bad, could this cause it to stop running?

Thanks.

[spiderman]

Your bike will not run without a battery as most modern bikes CDI requires somewhere around 10.7 volts before it will work.
With that i mind if your battery voltage dropped below this it would likely cut the engine.
By jumping the bike you supplied a good 12 volts plus to the system and that i why she fired up.
If you have access to a volt meter connect it up to the battery and see what voltage the battery drops to while you are cranking the motor.
Set the meter to 20 volts DC or somewhere near to it.

[sparks]

Thanks. This gives me a starting point. I'll post my results later this week.