Hey all - I have a (new to me) '05 Sportster 1200 R. Might be a newb question but here it is. From cold, it starts fine. But after riding for a while, shutting it off for 10 minutes or so it sort of hesitates on the start up. It always turns over, but when hitting the start button it kind of hiccups.. stops then i usually have to push it again and it will start up. Is this normal? I've tried with the choke out and not, same deal. Am i just not holding the start button long enough?

Thanks.

 

I had the same issue with my '06 1200C, especially when I would stop just for gas. Never caused a problem. What's happening is that the engine almost always shuts off on a compression stroke, and the compression built up in the combustion chamber hasn't had time to bleed off when you go to start it again, so it acts against the starter motor. One thing you can double-check is your battery, to make sure it's fully charged. That'll help.

Leave the choke in if the engine's hot, since ignition isn't the problem. You can try holding the start button a little longer too, but not more than five seconds at a time. It takes a lot of power to turn the starter motor.

 

It's a new battery but I haven't tended it much. But thats exactly it.. stopping for gas it does this everytime (including today). The check engine light comes on when it turns over for 4 seconds. I tried pulling codes but it said there was none.

 

Yup, it's just the engine shutting off on a compression stroke, then. Nothing to worry about. Leave the choke in, crank for a few seconds. If it doesn't start, wait a moment and crank again.