Hard(er) starting

[challey]

Over the last couple of weeks, my R has become a bit harder to start. By that, I mean it cranks longer before finally starting, probably 4-5 secs, where before it was 2-3 secs. The bike runs acceptably after it's warmed up. I'm not particulary upset by this but wonder about the cause. The battery is a relatively new gel type, less than 6 mos old.

Would the need for a valve adj and/or TB sync cause the change in time needed to start? I planned to do do both a couple of weeks ago in conjunction with the rest of the 12k mi service, but the weather didn't co-operate. With any luck, I'll get to it sometime this weekend.

As I said above, I'm not particularly worried but I am curious as to the cause.
Charlie

[paroyboy]

Mine was cranking for 4-5 seconds (or more). Since I got the 6K service done, its more like 2-3 seconds so maybe the valves/sync theory is a good one.

[CycleRob]

Could be the Summer blend fuel changeover. It's even more likely if the harder starting happened all in one day, rather than gradually over a period of a month. If your sparkplugs have been in a while, a worn-to-wider gap can cause harder starting. The age of the battery doesn't eliminate it as a suspect, especially gell batteries and if you think it's turning a little bit slower on the starter. Lastly, is your high idle fast enough on a full lever pull?
My 25 cent bet is on the fuel quality. Run it down 20 miles on the fuel lite (45 is possible) and try another fuel station.

[Dauntless]

Mine is harder to start as well. I think it is the new ethanol fuel that all of the stations sell around here. I wish it would just fire up instantly at the push of the button like my friend's motorcycles do, but it has never done that.

[Oilhead]

Out of the three bikes that I currently own that runs, the R1150R is the only one that does not start instantly. All of my bikes are meticulously maintained and garaged. All the specs are right on and I use premium fuel in the Roadster and it runs absolutely flawlessly. Based on that, I'm just going to assume that it is the nature of the beast. It always starts up but never instantly. And yes I did notice that one day the cranking became longer and it has been that way ever since.

[fnfalman]

I have the 4-5 seconds starting issue too and my dealership can't seem to find anything wrong.

Yes, throttlebodies are synchronized. Yes, valves are adjusted. Yes, brand stannking new Odyssey battery. Yes, fuel pump does pressure up nicely.

I'm going to see about the ignition timing next. I'm suspecting this is the problem.

[MikeCam]

Gas blend gets my vote.

Also, in my experience, BMW's always crank a bit longer/harder/higher voltage than Jap bikes of similar size. Nature of the german starter/ignition system?

[Boxer]

It's actually a French-made starter. That could explain it, oui?

[Capt. Blackadder]

BMWs always crank a bit longer/harder/higher voltage than Jap bikes of similar size.

Could it be that the Motronic is programmed to have the motor crank for a few seconds before supplying ignition and fuel, so that the motor builds up oil pressure before starting?

[chris]

Fired mine up today, it's been getting harder to start, put it in gear with side stand down.. tried to fire it again and no juice left in the battery. It was new last March dammit! Apparently the warranty on BMW batteries is 2 years but I have to take it off and leave it with the dealer to test it. I have until March 2007 to figure out how to get the tank off... Have just managed to get enough room by lifting the back to get at the terminals as a practice run for fitting the battery optimiser flying lead I just ordered so that's my Monday evening job. I don't have an accessory socket and it was more expensive to buy the socket and plug than to buy the optimiser!
Since I got this beemer I've also bought:
new helmet, summer and winter gloves, 2 jackets, cordura trousers, armoured gialli jeans, fenda extenda, pair of Z6 tyres, battery optimiser, AND cylinder head protectors.

Somebody did say buying the bike was only the beginning!

[Kevin50r]

MikeCam and anyone else that has one of the K bikes-

Do they start any quicker? Maybe the larger cylinders take a little longer to fill and fire? What do you guys think?

[MikeCam]

Kevin,

I don't actually notice, but some users on the K board have complained of 3-4 attempts to start.

I often see folks hit the button and release in less than a second. I've always layed on and held for 2-3 counts.

[Kevin50r]

My first motorcycle was a 1977 GS400 Suzuki, kick-start only. I knew next to nothing about bikes anyway but I like to never got that thing started come springtime. Now alot of bikes fire right up, but I'll never forget what it was like to kick-start one.

[Oilhead]

To me it seems like the starter on the R1150R spins slower than other bikes. That may be the reason it takes longer to start?

[Bud]

It's the summer blend gas. My R had the same symptoms and I thought since it was time for the 12K service it might be that. Told the dealer here in Tucson about it (top rate dealership) and the service manager told me that they go through this every year at this time when they change the blend. I believe him because after the 12K service (full ABS bleed, Valves, TB balance etc) the bike is still taking extra cranks to start it. Yep, after starting it runs great. My 2 cents.

[chris]

Just got my Oxford Maximiser charger today and wired the flying lead to the battery, propped the tank up enough to get at the terminals. After an hour on charge the green light came on telling me the battery is charged, tested and holding it's voltage OK, so I fired the bike up. It fired almost instantly, never done that before. Only seemed like half a turn and it was running. Gonna leave it connected all the time and will take the charger to work with me in winter so I can trickle it during the day!

[Boxer]

Did you just say you were going to tickle your battery every day?!?