Hard Starting '07 FSE

[Why Z?]

Hi,

My bike has been hard to start since, well, I paid for it. OF course, started with no issues at the guys place (before I paid).

Bike is an 07 FSR 450. Bike had less than 10 miles on it when I got it, was a fresh rebuild and the PO I think very reputable (high level racer and works for a major motorsports company R&D as a tech or mechanic). Bike was a research bike that had been dyno'd, and he bought from them and totally rebuilt.

No issues when running. No issues starting when the engine is warm.

Sometimes the bike starts OK cold, but typically takes a little coaxing.
Today, I couldn't start it at all.

Often I have to give it gas before and/or during as the starter cranks the engine, and as it tries to start, (PO told me to turn the throttle couple times before start). Usually it does start.

Sometimes I have to give it a few kicks (I have NEVER successfully gotten it kicked over). However, often kicking it, seems to help some how, even if I barely am able to turn the engine all the way over (I am pretty little but this bike is like none other I have ever kicked). But usually after "kick-attempt" I can press the button and it fires up.

I have also tried kicking and button at same time, not sure if this is any more effective than above.

Today, I was unable to get more than a sputter out of the bike. That was after a few twists of the throttle before/during starting, push button, kick, push button, try again, kick, etc. So, couldn't ride to work and had to drive .

Note, I doubt it is a battery issue, because when I have thrown it on the battery tender it is always solid green within a minute or 2.

I know this is common with the '04's, but everything I have read on here the '07's were supposed to have this ironed out... Kinda disappointed, other than this I love this bike

[gasmonkey]

If you havent,you must use high octane gas.

[bergerhag]

twisting the throttle a few times before you start will get you nothing. Since bike is fuel injected it does not have a mechanical acc pump.

Try this next time(cold): turn ignition on, wait til fuel pump stops. open throttle all the way. push the button. dont let it crank for more than a couple of seconds. if it does not start, turn ignition off and repeat from top. Try also with just a tiny bit of throttle. You are going to have to get to know that little beast of yours, they all have different personlities.

[Why Z?]

Hi octane gas... Is fairly hard to come by around here.
The manual is a lil confusing how it says 90 (Ron+mom)/2 and then 98 RON .
Since the pump is measured (Ron+non)/2 shouldn't 91 be good enough?

If it truly ain't I guess I will try to find some type of race gas or whatever I will not just sit here and be stubborn and complain about my problems !

I have been running 91 Non-oxy from the pump. No 87, ever.
However I must say most places don't have a dedicated pump for the premium fuel. Which kinda matters with a tank this small.

Would octane booster help? If so does it have to be anything special or do I have to watch out for anything that could be bad?
I am just scared of anything that come in the automotive section not designed specific for my bike !!

On a side note - I came home at lunch and bike started right up after all that commotion fail to start it this AM..... Goofy. Not sure what to think

[thejackrabbit]

make sure that the spark plug is not fouled from cranking the engine so much without it actually starting

[bergerhag]

The EFI gives the engine a "choke" injection when cold cranking. This extra burst sometimes floods the engine and this situation can be identifed with backfires or if the bike starts but only runs for a few ticks and stalls.

When this happens, turn ignition Off and kick the bike over 5-10 times with throttle wide open. After this try your normal start procedure.

Make notes of outside temperature when bike is hard to start. You might have a temperature sensor problem. Also you might want to have it connected to a pc with the service software just to check the readouts from all the sensors.

[Why Z?]

Not sure what it was, but bike has been less stubborn lately. Maybe slightly warmer temperatures? Idk.

I think the tip that told me to flip the "On/OFF" switch to "Reset" the EFI seems to have helped.

Thanks!