Hard to start

[Tombstone]

I bought my new 2017 non ES about three weeks ago. In the 2300 miles I've ridden I've had 4 instances where the bike was hard to start. It seems like each time gets worse. It also seems like it is when the bike is hot ie: I stop for fuel, or to don rain gear and then have a hard time re-starting the bike. The problem is intermittent, it doesn't do it every time....

I took it to the dealer and of course it started right up for them, understandably they can't fix it unless its broken - their guess is that its the CDI box...whatever that is. But they don't want to replace until they are certain that is the problem.

Any suggestions?

 

[Nikolajsen]

It happened to me once..BUT it was when I stopped it again before it was at normal working temp.
When it happend, it was like it was flooded. I do not believe there is any faulty parts...execpt maybe the battery, it can be defect from new.....

Mine is a European model, and the dealer told me that because of this euro4, there is a slightly changed mapping on it.
So maybe we can't compare.

 

[RonH]

Are you waiting the 15 seconds or so for everything to more or less " boot up" before pushing the start button?

 

[Tombstone]

Are you waiting the 15 seconds or so for everything to more or less " boot up" before pushing the start button?

Probably not... I wasn't aware I needed to wait before starting, I'll need to work on making that a habit.

 

[HeliMark]

Probably not... I wasn't aware I needed to wait before starting, I'll need to work on making that a habit.

During that time it is pressurizing the fuel system. Sometimes no biggie, but other times, not enough fuel to the carbs/injectors yet.

Mark

 

[lddave]

Sunday I stopped for fuel after a 85 mph 35 mile ride on the 130 tollway . After fueling up and ready to leave bike would crank but not start . Turned key off waited a few seconds and bike started . Ran fine rest of the day . Mine is a 2027 with 3,000 miles .


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[Juan]

There is a whole lot of 'biblical teachings' on this subject on this forum, so perhaps you should read some of these. It seems that the 'hard start' problem has not been linked to a specific cause. However, there is general consensus on a few things, including:
- Do not let go of the start push button before the bike has fired properly (a second attempt immediately after a first one could flood the engine).
- Do not switch off the engine before it reaches normal operating temperature (around 78 C).
- Let the electronics do their pre-start checks etc (i.e. full sweep of the tachometer and priming of the fuel pump) before hitting the start button.

I've learnt a lot from this forum - I follow the above steps rigorously and has avoided hard starts.

 

[HeliMark]

Mine is a 2027 with 3,000 miles .


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Wow. Is that a Gen 5?

Mark




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[lddave]

Wow. Is that a Gen 5?

Mark




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It is Marty brought to me from the future. It’s a 2017


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[tallpaul]

... their guess is that its the CDI box...whatever that is.

Lol, this isn't the 1980's! I think they mean ECU.

 

[Tombstone]

Thanks for the replies and good info! The Missus and I have a trip planned for this weekend - a good time to put those suggestions to work.

 

[jbrown]

People are exceptionally good at seeing patterns. Even when they aren't there.
If I am in anyway representative, then the 3 things to avoid are as much coincidence as likely contributors.
I don't wait for the electronics to finish its powerup stuff.
I don't wait for the bike to warm up before shutting it off (although I seldom start it unless I'm going somewhere).
My bike generally starts right away, so I can't really comment about keeping the button pressed until it starts. I never feel like I have to hold the button for an extended time. I have occasionally slightly missed on hitting the button and slipped off of it without the bike starting. Hitting the button again starts it fine.
I'm still on the original battery that came with my 2012.

I don't think there is anything wrong with following a regiment to try to avoid a hard start, but I think its likely the cause, when it does happen, is something other than slightly messing up the starting procedure.

 

[Juan]

People are exceptionally good at seeing patterns. Even when they aren't there.
If I am in anyway representative, then the 3 things to avoid are as much coincidence as likely contributors.
I don't wait for the electronics to finish its powerup stuff.
I don't wait for the bike to warm up before shutting it off (although I seldom start it unless I'm going somewhere).
My bike generally starts right away, so I can't really comment about keeping the button pressed until it starts. I never feel like I have to hold the button for an extended time. I have occasionally slightly missed on hitting the button and slipped off of it without the bike starting. Hitting the button again starts it fine.
I'm still on the original battery that came with my 2012.

I don't think there is anything wrong with following a regiment to try to avoid a hard start, but I think its likely the cause, when it does happen, is something other than slightly messing up the starting procedure.

Agreed on all counts. But better safe than sorry!