[fabio]

With the cold spell that has finally descended upon us the Bandit has proven difficult to start at times...typically after it being left overnight in the cold.

Basically I can turn on the bike, turn the choke on, and hit the starter but it seems very weak. As if there's not enough current going to spin the starter. And it becomes weaker the longer you try. The thing is the lights all work and heated grips still work too so the battery has some charge in it. Is it that it just doesn't have enough to turn the starter after lying up in the cold for a few hours?

(Note: I don't leave the lights and grips on when attempting to start it hahaha!)

Some nights I've had to push start it but after a spin along the link road then it will fire up with no problems at all when I stop it and start it again a few minutes later as a test. I suppose this is because the battery has been charged from the spin.

The thing is the battery is relatively new...I only fitted it in the summer...

[relaxed]

I replaced a fairly new battery in a Corolla with the same symptoms. Was fine for a while but turned out to be the starter motor after all (bent shaft, probably from new). The new battery masked the problem.

Worn brushes in the starter motor could give this symptom too.

[Shinwacker]

Fabio, are you sure your getting enough "Daytime miles?" Big difference in winter time is driving in the dark and cold, it takes it toll on a battery. We used to have to make sure the battery got a good old charge in daytime to help it along. I know you'd always have the light on, but full beam? A good old spin out in the daylight unhindered by traffic might just set you right, as FR D says simple things first.

Now I have also given you an excuse to wrap up nice and warm and hit the road for a good old day out, any excuse works for me.

Shins

[Jimi]

Er! Have you ever heard of ELECTRICAL LEAK?
That should have been the first test done in this situation.
I am not familiar with your bike as it is too NEW! for me
Assuming it is Neg (-) earth, remove the Pos (+) battery connection,
With your multimeter set to Volts, between + pole and the cable that you removed, is there any reading whatsoever?
If Yes, you have electrical leak. If no, set your multimeter to Ohms and try, then reverse meter connections and try.
Some bikes DO have a reading in resistance BUT, it must be a high reading and not a low one, (Exception to this is bikes with Direct Diode fitted).

When you are reconnecting that lead remember the film of grease on the battery pole.

When you replaced your Battery, did you make sure to get one with the correct Amperage? Ah.
Dont forget, If the recommended Ah for your model is 16Ah, it needs that amount of cranking power for it to power all installations.
But, if your model recommendation is only 4Ah and you install say 12Ah Battery, Your alternator is only putting out 4 Amps so your battery will NEVER be fully charged.

[Shanny]

12.3 volts is not enough it needs to be around 12.8 v i know it doesnt sound much but it makes the difference

[fabio]

Shanny has got it lads. And so have the rest of ye so congrats all around!!!

I took the battery out, gave it a charge overnight and it's been absolutely perfect ever since with me barely needing to push the button to start so it just needed a proper charge up.

Thanks to everyone for contributing their thoughts!

[piston broke]

fabio, on 21 December 2011 - 06:59 PM, said:

Shanny has got it lads. And so have the rest of ye so congrats all around!!!

I took the battery out, gave it a charge overnight and it's been absolutely perfect ever since with me barely needing to push the button to start so it just needed a proper charge up.

Thanks to everyone for contributing their thoughts!

Just needed a good boost

[Fr Dougal]

TDM is suffering reluctant starts lately too. Reg testing okay. Charged up battery a few nights but not holding a charge so new battery ordered, to be delivered to work tomorrow.

[Playtime]

had battery problem on the prilia earlier this year
even though previous owner said new battery installed I bought new battery and stuck it in going fine for a while then every now and then lazy to start so put battery on full charge and hey presto went touring northenr portugal put up over 2000 miles no problems then in october out on run with bears to north bike wouldnt start after running grand all day so bumped started and finished the day only a few weeks ago when boike serviced in Italian centre boike nearly went on fire so fair play to John Elliot discovered an electrical connector block melted/fused and sparking lucky me didnt go on fire when abroad so lesson learned never jump to first concliusion and check out all electrics etc