[BillyD66]

Out riding yesterday and stopped in traffic. Guy next to me asks about bike and embarrassingly I killed the bike by removing my hand off the clutch to open my visor Chatted during the light and then went to restart when light turned green(1-2 minutes). Clutch in(not in neutral) and just the pathetic really slow turn. Tried again and same thing. Moved forward a little and finally turned over. Pretty far from home and family out as well so I was crapping in my pants every time I had to come out of first gear the whole way home!!

Prior to this no issues. Rode the previous day for 75 miles and stopped a few places with no issues. No issues starting before the ride. About 30 miles into this ride so should have been fully charged at that point.
So... wondering if this has ever happened to anyone else? Would neutral have fixed everything? Just weird.
Performed a full test this morning(see below) and all appears fine but still have that uneasy feeling.

Background:
- New 2012 model. Just under 2000 miles.
- Deep-sixed the battery once by leaving ignition on to cool it off and forgot about it. Recharged using Optimax charger recommended by dealer[already had for winter] and no issues since. That was over 2 months ago.

Test Results:
- Bike off reading: 12.8 volts
- Bike ignition on: 12.6 down to 12.4 etc. due to drain from lights etc.
- Removed fuel injection fused and ran crank test 2 times: 11.4 to 11.2 volts
- Replaced fuse and started bike: 14 volts at idle and 14.2/3 with a little throttle

Like I said all appears fine but hate to get stranded. Any ideas?

 

[headeast]

Just a thought, but next time turn the key to the off position to turn off the headlight, then back to on and try to crank it. The same thing has happened to me and maybe the headlight being on puts a little too much drain on the batt during cranking.

 

[SmokenJoe]

Just a thought, but next time turn the key to the off position to turn off the headlight, then back to on and try to crank it. The same thing has happened to me and maybe the headlight being on puts a little too much drain on the batt during cranking.

Yep, +1

 

[kraaazymike]

Headlight on/off regardless, I'd have that battery tested.

 

[Jared17]

I've stalled at a light while lifting my visor as well and had no problem startin the bike back up after a few minutes. I'd have the battery checked. Is your headlight stock? If not could it draw more from the battery than the stock one? Just a thought

 

[chris]

while starting did the motor do about a half ass engine turn over and stop trying to start which sounds like a weak battery? But after the next or second press of the start button she turned over fine and started? If so mines done it and both of my buddies who have raiders have done it as well. Its done it to me 2 or 3 times I think it has to do with built up compression when the motor is shut off at a precise time that is the only thing we could come up with kind of like a hydrolock.

 

[kraaazymike]

That makes sense!

 

[BillyD66]

Thanks to all for the responses. I was just far from home and got the sinking feeling when she didn't turn right over like usual.
Talked to a HD buddy of mine as well and he said his does it occasionally as well when trying to start in gear. Said to roll the bike a little and that seems to fix things. Its like the starter isn't aligned really well or maybe a compression lock as mentioned above. Since I normally start in neutral this never happened before. Maybe it just aligns things as they are supposed to be...

I actually did roll the bike a little but cannot remember if it turned really well or not. Honestly I was just incredibly thankful that it started!!

 

[sfcmcgan]

your clutch is dragging... it happens sometimes when you put a heavier oil in.