[Austinii]

Hi,

MY 650 does not start instantly, but takes 2 or 3 full turns (compression strokes) before starting.
This surprises me since every other vehicle with Fuel Injection and electronic ignition I've tried, usually starts on first compression stroke.

I took the bike in for the 30k service last week and mentioned this, but the service made no difference. The mechanic said "probably due to a weak battery".

OK, so he could be right, but there are no other symptoms and the starter spins merrily enough.

Anybody got another idea beefore I fork out for a new battery?

 

[Buffalo]

Mine usually starts as soon as the starter engages. Your problem could be a number of things a weak battery being one of them. Before I forked over money for a new one I would find someone that can test your current one for you.

 

[Austinii]

Thank you Buffalo, I can do most stuff like that myself but won't have time for weeks, I'll see if I can borrow a battery somewhere.

The problem isn't that serious, but if it's on the blink I don't want a failure in the wilderness.

I really wanted to know if the situation was normal, and your reply suggests that it is not.

 

[greginnm]

A worn set of spark plugs can cause this as well.

Greg

 

[Dflowe]

Like Buffalo's, mine starts almost instantaneously. I agree that having your battery checked is probably a good idea.

 

[DougInKY]

I have a 2009 Executive and mine takes a couple of revolutions before it catches like the OP's. I have owned it for a little over a year and it has always started like this. <shrug>

Doug from Kentucky

 

[osbornk]

My 09 generally starts a 2 or 3 revs. when cold and generally instantly when warm.

 

[Rustydust]

A worn set of spark plugs can cause this as well.

Greg

What I was thinking too. Sure sounds a lot more likely to me than a battery. If your battery has enough grunt to spin the engine smartly there should be way more than enough juice to light the sparkplugs. With todays electronic ignitions even a low battery should not have anything to do with out much spark that it is getting.

 

[jimshorts]

My '09 650 (3,000 miles) turns over two or three times, quickly, before it starts.

 

[Bolzen]

Should start in one crank, in principle. Could be several things -- weak fuel pump, dirty air filter or injector, out of tune engine controls, and lastly the battery.

 

[osbornk]

Should start in one crank, in principle. Could be several things -- weak fuel pump, dirty air filter or injector, out of tune engine controls, and lastly the battery.

Four of us have them where I live and they all crank a couple of times on cold starts. 05,06,07,09.

 

[Rusty J]

See my signature: "Whir-chirp-chirp, purr..."

Two compression strokes, maximum, when the battery's good. More than that and I start to suspect a weak battery.

 

[Austinii]

Well thanks for all the feedback everyone!
I have the full service history for the bike and can see that the battery has not been changed in the last three years.

Since I no longer have a car (I scoot all year) I need to be able to rely on the Burgy, and since I have very little time available I'll change the battery first (changing sparkers looks to be a nightmare and they are the iridium type).
Personally my money is on the injectors - but I'll bet they cost a pretty penny!

 

[DanB]

My 07 with nearly 96k starts instantly and has a new battery.

 

[Bolzen]

Could also be a starter itself, thou i doubt it