After 16 years and 65,000 miles the starter relay recently failed on my '98 VTR1000. Fairly simple to diagnose and to replace - $75 for a new one.

 

No idea on quality.. but $6.90
http://www.amazon.com/Starter-Soleno.../dp/B007473QNU

Or a few $$ cheaper then your $75 and still OEM
35850-MR5-007 SW, STARTER MAGNETIC $72.00

Fleaybay

Claims to be new OEM $49
Honda Switch Assy Starter Magnetic 35850 MR5 007 $50 Fits Many Models | eBay

New OEM $69
#35850-MR5-007: Honda. SWITCH ASSEMBLY, STARTER MAGNETIC

Overseas seller, and likely an OEm supplier unit $19
NEW STARTER SOLENOID HONDA MOTORCYCLE VT1300 2010 25850-MR5-007 35850MR5007 35850-MR5-007 35850MR5007 - Rakuten.com

US resales of likely an OEM supplier type part sourced from an overseas distributor $19
NEW STARTER SOLENOID HONDA MOTORCYCLE VTX1300 2003-09 35850-MR5-007 35850MR5007 35850-MR5-007 35850MR5007 - Newegg.com

 

This is why I carry a ground wire under my seat. You're 2hrs away from home, stop to grab a bite to eat, walk back out to the bike after your meal, and starter relay fails.

 

It's one of those components that gets run-to-failure maintenance done to it. How to predict when it will fail??

Easy enough to get back home by push-starting.

 

48 years of riding and the only starter relay failure was on my 1968 CB 350 in 1969. Had to flip over the copper contact bar in the relay and it was good to go.

 

If I remember correctly on that motorcycle you had the option of using the handy kick starter.

 

Yep. In it's day it was a pretty sweet ride and dependable. An excellent town machine.