So I rode my first long trip today to Fredericksburg from Dallas. Every time I stopped for gas and tried to start the bike again while the engine was hot the bike will click when I hit the start button and then nothing just a loud click. Then I hit it again and she starts right up. The engine light comes on and the goes right off. When I start her and she has cooled off she starts just fine.

I don't think I have anything to worry about but I am five hours from home now. So any ideas of what to check? I know the battery is good I had it checked about a month ago and keep her on a tender when I'm not riding.

 

Not unusual for 1200's to do that. One piston stopped on a compression stroke, and with the higher compression ratio of the 1200, the starter doen't have enough power to overcome the back-pressure. Once the cylinder pressure bleeds off, the starter works fine. The stock starter on the 1200 is really a bit short on power.

 

Ok cool! That is a little bit of relief! Thanks

 

Just put it in gear with the bike off and bump the bike backwards. Usually works for me if my battery gets a little weak.

 

HD uses the smallest possible battery cables. Many times a larger cable will give the starter all the available cranking amps in the battery, resulting in stronger starter function.

 

My Sportster seems to do the same thing, that the engine hits compression and for a moment nothing happens and then the engine turns over and starts.

Did the dealer say how the flaw affected the engine?

EDIT: Damn!! I was going to reply in a post and this was the related post and I scrolled to it without noticing.

 

Sounds like typical Sportster delay , mine always does it . I'm going to try the technique that I've heard of by hitting the button once and then holding it down a second time . Might work but normally I just hold the button down and wait for the bike to start .