S2R 800 won't start - PROBLEM SOLVED

[pmazdan9]

Hi all,

I have another problem with my 2005 s2r 800. It's starting to annoy me as this bike is not reliable at all... one more problem and I seriously think of selling it and going back to japanese... nah just kidding but really it's driving me crazy!

For the last week or two there was a little problem with starter. What I mean is occasionally when I pressed the starter button, it would turn over for a second but wouldn't fire up. On second attempt it did fire up fine.

Few days later (now bear in mind I ride my bike every day) it got a little worse, when starter button pressed for the first time it just clicked, engine didn't turn at all, orange engine light came on for about 3 seconds. Then on the second attempt it would fire up fine.

Another couple of days later (yesterday) it did the same thing, just clicked and did nothing. I did turn the key off, then on. Dashboard dead (needles didn't do the welcome thing etc), not sure about horn/lights etc as I didn't check but the fuel pump definitely buzzed. I pushed the bike to a motorcycle bay around the corner (as I was parked on the sidewalk), and few minutes later everything started working again. No problems at all. I rode back home. Few hours later I took it out for a spin, fired up fine first time.

Today... it didn't start at all. I've tried like 20 times. Instrument panel does it's thing every time, fuel pump primes, when I hit starter button it clicks, engine doesn't turn at all and I can hear buzzing from lower part of the tank (sounds like a fuel pump priming again). I've tried ignition off and on etc but it just wouldn't start at all. So I'm a bus wanker again and I was late to work today. Obviously didn't have time to check anything so maybe you can give me some ideas.

When I get back home, I'll check connections, fuses and try battery from another bike. Then I suppose I'll check the wiring and killswitch/side stand switch (don't think it's that because with the killswitch in 'no go' position it doesn't click or do anything at all).

Has anyone had similar/same symptoms? Maybe it's a common thing and there is a known solution?

[Howie]

First step is charge the battery and have it load tested to make sure it is good.

Second step

[Stuka Pilot]

I think you may have a dead spot on the starter motor commutator ring, or perhaps the brushes are down to their wear limit.

Try giving a sharp tap (not a big bash) with a hammer on the side of the starter to see if that shakes it into life.

[Speeddog]

What Howie said ^

[pmazdan9]

Thank you all, checked the bike yesterday and it turns out my engine is seized Just kidding it's all good.

Before testing the voltage etc and swapping bettery, I cleaned all the connectors with contact cleaner (starter motor, solenoid, fuses, battery terminals, ignition, just everything really). It didn't help at all. I lifted the tank to hear where exactly is the buzzing noise coming from and voila, it fired up lol. I checked all the wiring is insulated well and just cable tied everything to make sure it stays in place. There was a bit of a mess with all the heated grips, usb chargers and whatnot.

All sorted, thanks!