Hi all, this is my first post so forgive me if this is the wrong sub-forum.

My friend has a 2013 Street Glide (12k miles, slip ons and air cleaner only) like mine and it has had this issue a handful of times:

When he attempts to starts the bike it will turn over but won’t start and when he lets off the starter button the bike will back fire loudly. He will let the bike sit for a minute or so, cycle the ignition, and it will start right up.

Other than this issue the bike runs flawlessly. I thought maybe the key fobs battery is going dead? But if that were so, wouldn’t the hazard lights flash and prevent the bike from turning over at all, as if the key weren’t near the bike?

This issue happens at random and doesn’t seem to have a dependence on the bike being hot or cold. It does this once every other month or so. He puts about 1k miles on it a month.

 

How old is the battery in the bike? Sounds like it's time to have it tested. The fob battery should be replaced once a year. I do mine every spring and put a few new spares in the saddle bag, you could make someone's day by having an extra battery on you.

 

Check your battery connections make sure they're tight, replace fob batteries, go from there. Be surprised how many times a stupid lose connection has happened. Welcome to the forums from Ontario, Canada, pop over to the Welcome area and introduce yourself

 

The battery was replaced about a year ago. We’ve got some key fob batteries on the way. I threw new plugs in the bike as I saw the preexisting plugs were HD and assumed they were the originals.

After throwing new plugs in the bike it’s seems to fire up quicker (Might just be in my head.) Unfortunately the issue is sporadic so only time will tell if new key fob batteries/plugs eliminated the problem. We went riding today and the bike was started/stopped/started 10 times or so with no issue.

 

Put a meter on the battery posts and read the voltage when you try to fire it up...
This is similar to what was happening to my '07, and we ended up finding out that while the battery measured 12+ VDC when tested, (and the charging system read 14+VDC above idle) the voltage dropped below 6VDC when the starter was engaged.
This is essentially the same as conducting a load test.

 

On my previous bikes, I changed the FOB battery and the spark plugs every spring. I'll give this new bike until next year to do the same. For the $$$ it costs, it's cheap insurance. If the bike is turning over well, I would discount the electrics and battery. Sounds like it could be something more in the ECU (engine control unit) but then I'm not knowledgeable on the electronics side.
And below is what I offer new members:

Welcome from Spartan Country, Michigan!
I tell a lot of new comers to the forum to get: Factory Service manual and the Parts manual. Get a three ring binder and record all your maintenance, repairs, accessories, etc. This will be a great reminder of what was done when. And great material to pass along to the new owner should you sell and upgrade. Also know how large your fuel tank is, a rough idea of your range per tank, and record your fuel usage. I have an app called Simply Auto that I record all my fuel used. I use the odometer and use the fuel gage as reference only. I reset the odometer to zero on fill ups, and I know I can safely get 200 miles on a tank on around town riding, and upwards of 230+ on trips.
Good Luck!!

 

I hope you replaced the plugs with stock Harley 6R12's. I've tested several other plugs and have yet to find one that won't mess with the ION system. I've had them seem to start easier and idle smoother, then they'll make the ecm pull a ton of timing at higher load/rpm. If it's a mostly stock bike set the gap at about .038. A lot of times those starting issues is simply letting off the switch too soon. Key fob will have no effect on that. If fob battery is dead or if it's not linking to bike then bike won't crank over at all.

 

Do not let up on the start position. But if the starter is actually falling out on its own, the voltage is low allowing the magnet on the solenoid to be pulled back by the spring.

Quite often, it either pops or bangs the starter drive

Be sure connections are good. Hook a good meter to it to keep an eyeball on it. Off voltage 12.7. Cranking 9.7 minimum. Running at apx 2000 is 14.1 or so depending on battery charge.. Never over 15.

PS. Make your next new post over at the new member thread.
And for sure...Welcome from North Beach, FL., USA!

Just in case you have not done this.

Add a Signature Line in your USER set up for your bike year, model, and all the letters that Harley recognizes it with so others see at the bottom of all your post. This enables others to know your exact model if you ever ask a question.

And a Avatar of your favorite shot in the USER set up for the small picture others will see in the top left corner of your post.


​​Your all set.... Enjoy the ride! ______________