06 S2R won't start, red oil pressure light

[DomDucati]

After troubleshooting on my own, I am humbly returning to the board for guidance.  The ol' Duc had been sitting idle for quite some time, and failed to start.  The red low oil pressure light came on, which I had never seen prior to now. 

Admittedly it has been a long time since an oil change, but there haven't been many miles put on the bike.  I checked the oil level, which was low.  I just added 2 quarts and tried to start the engine again to no avail.  The window shows full, but the red low oil pressure light still remains. 

Any ideas on how I can get the things started and clean out the pipes with a loud roar from the carbon fiber Arrows?  I have never had any issues with the bike prior to now... any help would be much appreciated! 

[ducpainter]

How long has it been sitting?

[DomDucati]

Maybe a couple months since it was last started.  No issues starting, riding, or getting home.  The battery is relatively new also and sits on a tender.  It turns and turns and turns, and then stops.

[He Man]

when you turn the key do you hear a WRRRRRRing sound?

[Howie]

If the bike does not start the oil light will be on if the ignition is on.  If the light stays on after the engine starts that is a problem.  Does the engine turn over when you press the starter button?  Do the gauges sweep?  What does the immobilizer light do?  Do you hear the pump prime?

[DomDucati]

The wrrrring sound happens when the key turns.  The pump primes.  The gauges sweep.  The engine doesn't quite turn over as it tries like 5 or 6 times before it stops.  All the belts turn, etc. and everything makes the right noises, it just doesn't quite turn over.  The immobilizer light blinks per normal.

[ducpainter]

The engine doesn't quite turn over as it tries like 5 or 6 times before it stops.

That is a bit confusing to me. Does it make 5 or 6 rotations and stop, or does it crank it's normal cycle 5 or 6 times, no start and then is dead?

I'd have the battery charged and load tested.

Even though it's been on a tender, they can go bad.

[DomDucati]

It makes 5 or 6 rotations and then stops.  The battery is less than a year old.  Is there really that much chance it goes bad in that short of a time span?  Would the low oil pressure light be lit if it were a battery issue?

[ducpainter]

It makes 5 or 6 rotations and then stops.  The battery is less than a year old.  Is there really that much chance it goes bad in that short of a time span?  Would the low oil pressure light be lit if it were a battery issue?

It's very possible. Any battery that isn't a flooded lead acid battery is prone to premature failure.

It's also possible your tender is no good and the battery is just discharged. Those symptoms sound like a low charge at the very least.

Have it charged and tested.

The oil light might go out while cranking, but it definitely needs to when it starts. I wouldn't put too much weight on the light just yet.

[oldndumb]

Caution.

Continued attempts to start with a weak battery is hazardous to the sprag's health. As advised, your best action is to charge and then have it load tested.

[brad black]

I've seen tenders ruin quite a lot of batteries.

oil light is irrelevant to your issue.

[Slide Panda]

oil light is irrelevant to your issue.

To just go into this, and Howies comment  - when the bike is powered on, but the engine isn't running the oil pressure light will be on. You said you've never seen it before - but never *noticed* it is probably more accurate. The pressure sender is just a simple switch that turns the light off when sufficient pressure is reached. If the engine is not turning, the pump isn't turning so pressure is zero.

[minnesotamonster]

+1 to the above. And now you are probably 2 quarts overfilled on oil too.

[DomDucati]

+1 to the above. And now you are probably 2 quarts overfilled on oil too.

No, the oil was definitely low in the reservoir. 

I will get the battery load tested before cranking again.  Thanks to all for the help.  The board, as always, comes through in the clutch.  I'll update when I can get time to pull the battery and test it.  While on the topic, is there a tried and true battery anyone here recommends in the event I need a new one?  I've had a couple different ones over the years (OEM, Yuasa, and this newfangled one that seems to be the issue).

[Howie]

The Yuasa in my bike (same YT12B-BS that fits your bike) is seven and a half years old and still going strong.  One reason is they are shipped dry so life starts when you activate the battery.