I may need to take my bike in, but first wanted to ask you guys what may be going on.  When I put the red switch to the down position to start up the bike it's been taking 3 or 4 pushes of the botton to get her to fire up. Nothing is happening when I push the button the other times.  No noises.  No "trying" to start.  Just silence.  Is the ignition going out?  If so, how much dough am I looking at?

Like Verslagen says, 90% chance you just need to clean the switch.  Just split the switch housing on the handlebar (2 screws on the reverse side) and they come apart relatively easily.  Clean up the switch contacts on the start switch itself and the run switch, treat them with a little petroleum jelly when you resemble, and all should be fine.

If it's still no better, you may also want to check the operation of the safety switches in the clutch lever and sidestand in case they're playing up, and that the sidestand is being drawn in far enough by the springs to depress the microswitch there.

If all that is fine, the starter solenoid may be dodgy (if it's the starter motor, you'd hear an audible 'click' from the solenoid, but no spin from the motor), if all the switches are fine and there’s no click, it’s likely to be the solenoid.

But – the symptoms you describe do sound most like the switch contacts need cleaning.

BEFORE You start in, clean the work area. IF you drop a piece, you will want to find it. An old towel on  floor can stop parts from bouncing & rolling.

Ive done the switch, its easy enough, but some of the stuff in there is kinda little..