Odd starting issue

[RickS1K]

I took my Gen 2 out on an overnight trip a couple of weeks ago. It started fine and I got to my destination no issues. The next morning I tried to start it whilst sitting on it - kick stand up. It did start but didn't sound happy.. on my way back I had to stop twice and getting going again was difficult. It would switch on fine, but whole instrument cluster died when I tried to start, or would not switch on at all. Eventually I worked out that it would start reliably if bike was leaning on stand, in neutral. As such, I don't think there is anything wrong with the battery, when it starts, it feels strong and the leads/ terminals are tight.

I tried to work out what the issue was this morning.. hadn't touched it since the trip other than washed it when I got home. However, today the bike will switch on and start in every scenario... on/off stand, in neutral, in gear with clutch in...

In other words, it is waiting until I'm 50 miles from home to break down again...

Any ideas where the issues might be, sensor for kick stand etc?

Cheers

 

[RickS1K]

I need to kick this thread back into life, as the problem has returned. After I cleaned the bike I didn't have any issues and managed some ride outs with zero issues. However I'm back to a situation where it often fails to start (instrument panel, pumps) on key turn, OR all the lights and pumps start on key turn, but everything dies when I try to start the engine - all instrument lights go out, pumps stop - complete silence.

I don't know if it can be something like a rectifier/stator issue because (as I understand it) they cause battery drain/fail to recharge the battery and there's no bringing it back?? My problem is random and even if it doesn't start right now, it'll usually start fine 5 mins later. So started wondering if the Gen 2 battery, which must be a few years old now, wasn't holding a charge, even thought the voltage and amps appear to be normal (according to my Motorrad charger).

So I thought I'd check the battery by switching with my 2020 R. I started with the Gen 2 not switching on or starting at all. However, after swapping the batteries, both bikes switched on and started immediately, multiple times. So, clearly the Gen 2 battery must be OK if it'll start the R no problem? I put the Gen 2 battery back in the Gen2 again - it has started first time c. 10 times over several hours...

I have also done an visual check of the kick stand sensor. It was a little dirty, but apart from that seemed to be absolutely fine. I haven't taken it apart yet to look inside, any gotchas to look out for? I haven't actually worked out how to pull them apart, anyone done that?

Any thoughts/ideas gratefully received!

 

[Flyingscotsman]

Unless the battery is a year or less old, I would start with buying a new battery.

 

[Brad Ivey]

I need to kick this thread back into life, as the problem has returned. After I cleaned the bike I didn't have any issues and managed some ride outs with zero issues. However I'm back to a situation where it often fails to start (instrument panel, pumps) on key turn, OR all the lights and pumps start on key turn, but everything dies when I try to start the engine - all instrument lights go out, pumps stop - complete silence.

I don't know if it can be something like a rectifier/stator issue because (as I understand it) they cause battery drain/fail to recharge the battery and there's no bringing it back?? My problem is random and even if it doesn't start right now, it'll usually start fine 5 mins later. So started wondering if the Gen 2 battery, which must be a few years old now, wasn't holding a charge, even thought the voltage and amps appear to be normal (according to my Motorrad charger).

So I thought I'd check the battery by switching with my 2020 R. I started with the Gen 2 not switching on or starting at all. However, after swapping the batteries, both bikes switched on and started immediately, multiple times. So, clearly the Gen 2 battery must be OK if it'll start the R no problem? I put the Gen 2 battery back in the Gen2 again - it has started first time c. 10 times over several hours...

I have also done an visual check of the kick stand sensor. It was a little dirty, but apart from that seemed to be absolutely fine. I haven't taken it apart yet to look inside, any gotchas to look out for? I haven't actually worked out how to pull them apart, anyone done that?

Any thoughts/ideas gratefully received!

Check the Clutch Micro switch behind the Clutch lever.I had the same issue and that is what fixed mine. They are around 12.00 online.

 

[bananaman]

These symptoms are very much like dodgy battery connections. If so, sounds like you have sorted it by swapping batteries and back again?

 

[RickS1K]

I haven't had the problem since I cleaned the bike within an inch of its life, contact cleaner in every connection. Whether it was that or disconnecting the battery, I dunno...