Problem with 2001 M900SIE dying

[udracing57]

So just like the title says I turn my key everything looks good, hit the starter and the bike starts up.  As soon as i turn the handlebars in either direction the bike dies.  After noticing this i checked the play on the throttle cable but thats seems to be ok.  While I was troubleshooting I had the key in the on position and kept moving the bars and every time I turned them the fuel pump re-primed.  A second time I turned the key to the on position and the pump never primed, I tried to hit the starter but there was nothing.  So I turned the bars and of course the pump primes and now the bike will start.  Seems to me that that would mean something electrical?  I tried searching all over for similar situations but I couldn't find anything.  I hope someone smarter than myself can help here.

The strangest part is that the bike has been running fine for over a year with not a single problem.  Thanks for any help in advance.

[ducpainter]

You have a problem with the wiring harness where it passes by the steering head.

If you carefully cut it open you'll find a broken wire.

It could also be the kill switch wiring before it enters the harness.

Both are common issues.

[brix821]

i feel your pain. my 01 900 has been acting the fool for a few weeks here. good luck.

[Triple J]

You have a problem with the wiring harness where it passes by the steering head.

If you carefully cut it open you'll find a broken wire.

It could also be the kill switch wiring before it enters the harness.

Both are common issues.

+1

The kill switch wire is broken where the wiring harness bends down by the steering tube. Very easy fix.   I think fixing this was the 1st mod I ever did on a Ducati.  

[udracing57]

Well, looks like ducpainter and Triple J hit it right on the head of the four wires in the harness two are brown.  One of the brown wires is completely split and the other is about half way through.  This happened right where the harness bends just as Triple J said.

Any suggestions on how to go about fixing this so it doesn't happen again?

[Triple J]

Well, looks like ducpainter and Triple J hit it right on the head of the four wires in the harness two are brown.  One of the brown wires is completely split and the other is about half way through.  This happened right where the harness bends just as Triple J said.

Any suggestions on how to go about fixing this so it doesn't happen again?

I just re-connected (i.e. twisted) the ends and wrapped them in electical tape. Worked for another ~9K miles until I sold the bike. I suppose soldering the wires after re-connecting them would be a better fix though.

[Fresh Pants]

I had the same thing happen to me and it took forever to find the answer (found it on the old board).
I soldered a bit of wire as a splice as a temp fix, and so far it's held. I've been meaning to do a better fix, but it's been about 2 years now? 

[1KDS]

buy some butt connectors instead of just twisting the wires together please.
For example:
http://www.tnb.com/ps/fulltilt/index.cgi?part=2RA18X