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My wife's 2020 (MY18) starts up with a hesitation like having a flat battery but then fires up. I very recently bought a new battery for this bike from Harley. The battery is fully charged. Bike is fully serviced with very low milage on the clock. After fitting the new battery the startup stayed the same. Why do these Sportsters have this "strange" way of starting? Regards.
The battery is undersized for the application. They only use it because it physically fits.I did the same thing replaced a good battery with a new battery that did the same thing. That got replaced with a Optima Quad 16 lithium battery and it now spins over like a Honda 50.
My 07 Sportster did the same thing, hit the starter and there was a 1/2 second delay before the motor would spin.
Look for a battery that is the same physical size as the current battery, but make sure it has more CCAs to turn the motor over quicker.
Is the motor totally stock? I assume you have maintenance leads for a maintenance charger.
Put a volt/ohm meter on leads. What voltage does it show (drop to) when you hit start?
After starting, cut it back off. What voltage do you see now on meter?
Do that again above. Does it hesitation that second start? What's the two voltage reading?
Your rear header is very blue. Is that the original OEM exhaust?
Is there a air filter on the bike?
Motor is stock. The blue is because the chrome cover is pressed against the pipe. Everything checked out OK but I think the OEM Harley battery is just to light for the job! Regards!
My 07 Sportster did the same thing, hit the starter and there was a 1/2 second delay before the motor would spin.
Look for a battery that is the same physical size as the current battery, but make sure it has more CCAs to turn the motor over quicker.
Sportster startup
