What happens if you press the starter button for a second time, after the gauges blanked out? Is this failure occuring at any time of the day or is it the first start of the morning?
The first thing that I would do, is to check that both of the battery terminals are clean and tight. Have you got a voltmeter installed? I think a voltmeter is an important accessory for the first gen models, to help monitor both the battery voltage plus charging system. The voltmeter is handy when it comes to heated gear being used. A battery voltage reading at time of the starting failure, would be a big help.