Sorry for the rant but, as a lot of you have read on several posts, I haven't been the happiest camper with my '09 Ultra Classic. It's been one thing after another with several warranty visits to the dealer. The UC only has 15k miles and has been in for warranty work on an average every 3,000 miles.

This past weekend I went for a ride with a few friends. The scoot started just like it should when I left home to meet up with the rest of the riders. I rode about 5 miles to the where we were all to meet. When it was time to leave, my UC would not start the first try. It did not start on the second try so I turned the ignition off and let it set for a couple minutes. It still would not start on the third try so I turned off the ignition and did a failure code check and found no code. On the 4th try it finally started like nothing had ever happend and ran fine. I decided to go ahead on the 350 mile round trip ride. Fortunately everything went well and the Ultra Classic ran fine and start every time without fail.

Last year on 3 different occasions it did the same thing and 3 times I took it to the dealer and they could not find anything wrong with it.

I've just about given up on this piece of crap. Unfortunately, I've spend way more money on this bike than what I could ever recover by selling it. I can't possible afford to become a parts changer to find out what's causing the problems.

I am fairly mechanically inclined but know nothing about Harleys in general. I'm confident there is an electronic glitch but just don't know where to start and how to find out what the issue is with this bike.

If it sounds like I'm whinning, I can asure you I am. This is only my 3rd Harley and has had more problems than all of my previous motorcycle put together.

What would anyone suggest? Ever had anything like this happen to your '09 or newer Ultra Classic?

It's still under warranty until the 3rd week of March. The service department suggested I leave it with them for a period of time. If they find the problem, they will fix it under warranty. If they don't, I will be out a bunch of money for labor.

Does anyone have any suggestions? I will appreciate any and all input.

 

Well, that really bites!

Does the bike crank over like normal and just not fire? Or does it not turn over at all?

 

It maybe time to consider purchasing the extended warranty if you are going to keep it. Then it is only a $50 fee every time you bring it in to be looked at. I bought the 5 year extended on an unknown 05 RKC for $1800 and worth every penny. One cam chain failure and it pays for itself many times over. My 2 cents. Good Luck.

 

It does crank over normally and will not fire.

Thanks for the suggestion but I can't afford an extended warranty. I'm a disabled veteran on a very limited income. I guess I bought into something I should never have considered. Besides, what good would an extended warranty do if they can't find a problem that existed before the warranty expired?

 

while it cranks when it dont start do you have spark?

 

I do not hear you whining........certainly feel your pain. I had a very whacky triumph sprint st.....never could guess what it was going to do....turned out to be a bad ecu.

 

Yes there is spark. I can hear it trying to started but when I stop cranking on it, sometimes it almost sounds like it's trying to backfire. A big whoosh sound and fuel vapors comes from the Stage 1 intake.

 

If you KNOW it's getting spark, I'd start looking at whether or not it's getting fuel. You mention a "stage 1" air cleaner...do you have a PCV? Fuelpak? SERT?

 

Have you tried opening the throttle some when it does this?

 

Good day.
I'm no mechanic and am not writing to suggest mechanical solutions to your problem but there are some questions that should be asked.
If this is a recurring problem documented by the dealership; "Why will it cost you money to have the problem fixed?"
If the dealership is not prepared to fix the starting problem;"What is the HD headquarters response?"
When this problem happens does it always take several attempts BEFORE it starts? If so, "Have you called your local dealership after the first instance and have them come pick-up the bike before making any other attempts?" It might be one way to keep the problem at the forefront.

Just my thoughts....


Ride(?) In Peace