I am having an issue when starting up the bike.  At first i thought it may be the battery so I put in a new battery and everything was good.  Every once and while however, it still wont start.  When I go to start it, it sounds like its about to catch and start thumping the pistons but it doesnt.  I wait a 30 seconds and try again. second time it doesnt sound as promising.  I repeat and the third time is even less promising until the 4th time i just hear a click.  The headlight, turn signals and brake light all work fine.  i tried everything, fuel position, prime position, choke out, choke in, etc...   Any ideas?

4 times and you're out of juice?  How long are you cranking it each time?

Sounds like a charging issue.  The ig circuit does not work well with a low battery.  Which is why only on the 1st time does it sound promising and the others useless.

Learn the jump start proceedures for these times.

Look for a drain on the battery, either a short or did you leave the lights on?

New would make me feel better about the battery, but Ive seen new fail, too.Its not hard to check.
Harbor Freight has a load tester for around $20.00. It will place the battery under a load, to simulate a starter motor & a meter to check what the battery voltage does under that load.