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Bike only starts on 2nd attempt?

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airjam18

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Mar 18, 2010
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I have an 03 XB9R that will only start on the second attempt. Bike is in neutral, pump is finished priming and light is off, I hit the starter and it seems like it starts to turn over then quits. I let it finish priming a second time and then I hit the starter and it fires right up and runs smoothly. This occurs EVERY time I start the bike and has been occurring since I first bought it 2.5 years ago. The battery is fully charged, I've checked all fuses, and I cleaned and tightened the ground point by the battery, as well as battery connections. I've read that others have had this issue but I've not seen a fix. Is there anything I can do?
 
Mine does almost the same thing...if I were to let go of the starter switch when it stops cranking. If I keep pressing, it will stop for a second or two and continue to turn over and start.
But it only happens on the first try on cold starts.

I think it is a compression vs battery cranking amps problem.

Remember, the XB motors have higher compression than sportsters but the battery might be the same?!

That's my theory
 
This is sometimes a problem with XB Buell Bikes it is not any problem with the starting system. You can put NGK plugs in the bike and it will help but not all the time. You can have a perfect Battery and so on it will start the same.
It's a v twin engine so if the Clutch is even slightly out of adjustment then it will need to be bumped once and then started. Don't grind the Starter trying to start Quickly on the 2nd try. I keep telling our customers that but most don't really listen till several mechanics tell them the same OR they get ripped off somewhere they usually will listen afterwards when they have spent money elsewheres'.
Just keep the clutch close to perfect OR bump it and when it grunts let off the Start button then turn it over to start. You will notice that sometimes it will just start right up and other times it will grunt first let off and then it will start right up. Good Maintenance is key on these Bikes.*Jimi
 
my bike does the same thing... and ive been meaning to adjust my clutch to perfect. lol
 
It happens to me when its cold...im thinking oil is thicker when cold thus takes a little more juice than usual... wat oil u running and wats the ambient temp when u stat it?
 
mine had that issue even with the clutch ajusted near perfect. i had a drag specilty battery which i was told are problematic. i just changed to a yuasa battery and now the bike starts alot better.
 
I have this problem every once in a while, and I think +1 on the maintenance/adjustment issue. Now that I have adjusted it, I can go out and start it about 26 degrees with 20W 50 and it fires 1st time every time.
 
Lando you are on the right track. The Buell Battery really should be 225CCA insted of 200CCA this would turn the Engines starter over nicely. This is why I put a charger on OR Battery Tender once a week to keep it peaked at 12.3 volts. I guess we as Buellers just have to improvise due to HD/Cheapness to save a buck redesigning and having to produce a better Battery etc..Plus the heat issues also. My friends Honda 1000RR has a small battery as well but the Starter is made better and geared for the 4cylinder. Just keep up the Maintenance and good plugs good fuel. Nature of our Beasts.*Jimi ;)
 
My bike does the exact same thing. It always has (for me, had it a few months). As a matter of procedure I always give it an initial "prod" with the starter, then let the whine sound die down (whatever that is lol) then start it proper. Its annoying as sometimes it resets the trip and clock. I have changed the battery and it still does this.
 
I'll have to try the clutch adjustment on my '09 Uly now that I have $15k miles. Having same issues of starter stalling out on first try. More annoying than anything because it always starts on second try. HD worked on it last summer changed a diode, charged the battery and called it good. Worked for a little while. Thanks for the tip.
 
I bought mine with 5700 miles. From day one it has always "paused" before turning over. I hit the button and it acts like the battery is dead for maybe 1 or 2 seconds. I NEVER let off the start button and it has ALWAYS started right up. I just figured it was typical for this type of engine.
I have never been stranded and the starter has never failed me. But it has ALWAYS had a pause in it before starting.

FYI: I have onwed bike for 6 seasons now. 33,ooo miles
 
mine didnt do it but now after the xb9 piston swap it does it everytime when the bike is warmed up, i have to tap the start button then let off then press and it will turnover and start then, deff the iridium plugs helped alot it will start with once it turns over immediately. not sure how old the bat on my bike is but it has plenty of voltage could be weak on amps though, does anyone know of a heavy duty high amp battery that will fit on these bikes.
 
Found a stock size battery called big crank, has 220 cca, most of the stock replacements ive found have 160
 
I bought mine with 5700 miles. From day one it has always "paused" before turning over. I hit the button and it acts like the battery is dead for maybe 1 or 2 seconds. I NEVER let off the start button and it has ALWAYS started right up. I just figured it was typical for this type of engine.
I have never been stranded and the starter has never failed me. But it has ALWAYS had a pause in it before starting.

FYI: I have onwed bike for 6 seasons now. 33,ooo miles
Click to expand...

That's what mine does, exactly. Never has failed to start though. Didn't do this until about a year after I bought it but now it's almost every start.
 
If the problem is the low CCA battery, does anyone have information on a better suited battery for the 1200cc engine bikes?
 

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