I have a feeling my starter is going out on my 08' Sportster 1200'. It's very slow to crank even with a fresh battery that is fully charged.

Any suggestions?

Any suggestions for replacement starters?

 

It's not a normal failure mode for a starter to run slow. So, I'd suspect an issue getting current to the starter, or the drive is binding.

Make sure the cables are good, and all the connections are clean and snug.

Check the voltage at the battery. Make sure it's at least 12.5 volts. If not, charge it. Then check voltage at the starter and make sure it didn't drop more than .1 volt. If so...you have a cables/connection issue.

 

+1 The battery cables have a history of bad connections between the cable and the crimped on cable ends, wires broken or corroded inside/under the connectors.

Be sure to disconnect BOTH ends of BOTH cables, clean and reconnect.
The negative cable end attached to the top of the tranny is installed on a stud protruding from the tranny. Once the cable is off of the stud, unscrew the stud, clean it and reinstall (the threads get corroded and it doesn't make a good connection)

 

Listen to these guys...

The starter is almost never the culprit.

 

For my 2 bikes when my starter fails I take a brake and start kicking again

 

One other question, what is the temperature when you are trying to start the bike? Below 50 or so they tend to get sluggish.

 

In the past 3 years, our shop has only replaced one Sportster starter, on an '03.
In the same time frame we have replaced dozens and dozens on big twins, however.
What this should tell you is A) not a lot of Sportsters out there, lol. B) they rarely fail.

 

My 2014 XL1200cp started getting sluggish when starting after about a year. Took the battery to Batteries Plus and had it tested. It tested good.


Bought my own Auto Meter [SB-5/2] load tester [just like Batteries Plus used] so I could monitor my battery's condition myself.


The 'starting' sluggishness continued and slowly got worse over the next year. And yet the load test indicated the battery was still good based on its CCA. The cables were clean and tight so I knew that wasn't the problem.


I measured the voltage drop while cranking and it dropped too low. That's when I finally decided to replace the battery. Now the starter cranks like it should and the bike starts right up. My point of this post is to show that just because the battery tests 'good' on a load tester based on its rating, it might not be up to the job.


I've read several posts that try to explain the problem. Some think the battery is undersized considering the high compression ratio. I don't have a clue.

 

For a 1200 Sportster the stock battery is barely adequate, I stepped up to a 300 cca battery, next I intend to go to the antigravity 16 cell 480 cca battery, around here we do ride when it is below 45 degrees. I have heard others step up the started to a 1.4 kw starter. In a 1200 the stock starting system is just not enough, for an 883 it is fine.

 

stereoguy . . . do the batteries you stepped up to fit in the original "cubbyhole" under the seat?


If so, can you pass along more info on 'exactly' what batteries you purchased?


Thanks in advance,


DON