Aloha,

Once in a while while starting my bike, I'll thumb the starter and it'll stall before starting the engine. After a second try, it'll fire right up.
My bike's a 08 RG, and I have about 3,700 miles on her. Pretty sure the battery's ok, and this only happened a few times since I've owned her.
Anyone else had this problem, or know what could be causing it? Or, is this "normal" for a TC 96?
Thanks for any input.

Mahalo,

 

Sounds almost like a weak battery, but you wouldn't think so on a new bike. My Sporty does the same thing. I will probably have to put in a new battery next spring. Could be a bad spot on the starter as well.

 

Thanks ironhead.
This problem has only happened about 3 times so far, all of them at random. I thought about the battery too, but it's pretty new.
If anything, I'll have the dealer check it out at the 5K service.

 

Trade it in on an 09.

J/K, get a tender for the battery, I have the super smart one from HD and it works great.

 

ive been having starter problems myself last weekend i went to start my 07 ultra all i got was a click sound by my starter i checked my battery cables'fuses every thing seemed ok i took my battery to the dealer theytested they said battery was ok they picked up the bike had it for a hour and called said the bike was fixed the battery cables were loose i told them put it back on the lift and find the real cause they called next day said the cables had to be real tight dam near to the point of snapping i said yea ok this morn i happend to be at another dealer i went to start the bike dammmm nothing we pushed the bike into the building and dam it started they checked it out and found the starter bolts were loose i hope thats the fix next time i might not be as lucky i hope this helps

 

Sometimes on the new Harleys, especially on a hot restart, the engine will kick back and cause the starter to stop. Most likely this is due to some kind of preignition that is forcing the piston backwards on it stroke while the starter is engaged. Mine too has done this a few times. Never on a cold start though. I've heard other people say the same thing.. I guess it's another one of those "normal" things. Don't think it's gonna hurt anything. Sill love mine!

 

Thanks for all the help so far, guys.

masterblaster,

I already have a battery tender. Don't use it much, though, 'cause I ride daily.

FLHXn,

I was thinking along those lines myself. Just wanted some other opinions to validate what I was thinking.

 

+1

Not that unusual on a restart.

 

Make sure you are holding the button in firmly until it cranks and starts.

 

I was having that same problem. My bike had the street legal 103" kit installed by the dealer I bought it from before I bought it. The dealer that did the install replaced the starter clutch at 5,000 miles and said they thought that would do the trick.

I took my bike to a different dealer to get it tuned properly. The guy who tuned my bike the second time said the first tuner didn't even change the timing after they installed the SE 255 cams. He tuned it and timed it and it starts and runs much better now.

Dennis