Bike won't start. well confused!
 

So I've been at this a few weeks now.
I didn't run the bike for about 10-15 days over xmas, and when I came to start it it wasn't having it, it would turn over but not start.
So i charged the battery and it started (reluctantly)
Took it to work and 8 hours later again it would't start so I tried charging the battery but no luck (had to leave bike at work over the weekend)

I charged the battery again for a little longer and it seemed to work, it got me home, and seemed to work for a few days.
Then I left it 2 days that weekend and after that it wouldn't start.

I tried charging again and sometimes it would work, other times it wouldn't.

I looked at the spark plug and it seemed to be ok, but I bought a new one fitted it and charged the battery for a good 24 hours and it started quick (like really quick)
Took it for a spin for half an hour and left it at that.

So I thought I'd figured it out!
Left it for 24 hours and then back to same, turning over but not catching (as always)


As far as i can tell my multimeter says the battery is charging and then holding the charge about 12-13v if it wasn't i would definitely presume it's the battery!

I'll be buying a new battery tomorrow anyway as I've run out of ideas...

Anyone any more ideas?

Thanks for listening :emot-words:

When it doesn't start next time carry a spare spark plug and pop of the HT cap and insert it to make sure it's sparking ok. You'll need to earth the body of the floating plug again some metal.

Thanks Cozi, I'll give that a try.

Might sound daft BUT take your multi meter with you on a ride..when it wont start check its still holding the voltage you recorded after charge.

Tbh Id put money on it being the battery. It may hold the voltage BUT may not have enough amps to turn the motor.

Buy the best battery you can afford. I bought one from Halfords,YUASA YB9B-BS. �57..less if you have a trade card.

Thanks Nicroc, I really hope it's the battery and most things seem to point to that.

pm for you

I had a very similar thing happen and my battery looked ok ,won’t go it to the long story. But it was my battery replaced it never had the problem again

Cheers bud, I plan to buy one tonight so fingers crossed!

Well now I'm even more confused!
I charged the battery last night to try this morning just in case it worked.
When I put it in the bike it did the exact same thing as usual, turning over but not starting.
So I left it in all day, went to work and picked up a new battery on the way home.
When i got home i thought I'd try the bike as you never know, and even though it seemed to splutter a little it started!
I thought maybe it's a fluke so turned it off and tried again, it started 3 times in a row!
What the frig is going on?

Has the weather changed where you are??..ie from very cold for a few days to milder?

Sounds daft but if the battery is failing then the cold weather can really screw up its oommphh..remember its a single and its a fair amount of weight/inertia to throw over .

Kinda like trying to run for the bus when you smoked for 40 years and are overweight..

Hey Nic,

Yea it has a little bit, it's got a little warmer the last couple of days up here in sunny Lancashire.

Only by a few degree's though.

Now i don't know whether to leave it in the bike and hope it still works in the morning, or to un-box this new battery and charge it just in case the old one decides not to work again tomorrow!?

Im guessing you have to fill it yourself and charge it...no chance of taking it back then..assuming they will refund you that is.

Hmmm...personally id charge it and use it. At least then 'if' it does it again you'll know it's not the battery.

I forgot to ask how old is the original battery?

Hope you didnt pay too much. What make did you get?

Good call. I have had two battery’s go down over the last 2 months. One on the xt660 and the other on my fz1 and that was a newish lithium battery. The temp dropped to 0 here for a week or so and it killed the battery’s. And as we all know it’s common for the cold to kill a battery. Ps I bought a motobat they yellow one. Did not last 6 months they have gone right down hill. Called the shop up they just refunded me did not even want it back? It was like they expected it they were not surprised at all. Everything is just being made cheaper and cheaper and they just don’t last like they used to. Ps use the new battery 100% as if it was the cold it is more than likely on its way out anyway

I got a Yuasa one from my local Yamaha dealers.
My battery is at least 3 years old as I haven't changed it since getting the bike, not sure how long it was in before I got it.
I charged the new battery overnight, took it down with me just in case, but the old battery started the bike straight away, same as yesterday.
So bloody weird!
Anyway I'm at work and got to ride my bike this morning so I'm happy (for now)
I expect the next cold stint will kill the battery again so I'll keep the new one nearby ready for the time..
Thanks for your help chaps, really gonna miss this forum when it closes, some solid dudes here!

Fingers crossed mate

If your going to keep on using the old one till it fails again lets hope it dont leave you stranded somewhere.

Carry the new one in a rucksack with the correct socket for when it does. I'm 99% sure your batteries foobarred.

I would just fit the new one anyway, you have bought it so just fit it

Well I tried fitting it but it was the wrong size (doh)
I know which I need now for sure though so i'll take it back to the shop and exchange it.
The bike's been running OK
Just once last week I took it to work and when I tried to start it to come home, it was hesitant but still managed to get me home.
The I tried starting it after I was home and it wasn't having it.
So I charged the battery overnight and it was fine in the morning (it's been nasty weather since so i haven't taken it out but I try starting it every morning and it's fine)

Still a strange one this...

The battery you bought from a Yamaha dealer was the wrong size?....

Is it not a YT9B-BS??

Just a thought...when it wont start,or struggles can you hear the starter solenoid clicking away?.have you tried shorting it out ? ie putting an insulated screwdriver across both terminals...old skool init!

Yea he managed to give me the wrong one (was the only one in his book that was for my bike apparently...)
He gave me the LYTX9BS and it's a little too wide.
I'm hoping as he was the one who told me which one to buy, that he will give me a refund towards the new one even though I've filled it with acid now..

It's the YT9B4 I'm after now, they have it in stock for �49

As for the Starter solenoid, I hear that sometimes, like this morning, the 1st time i tried the old battery it turned over but wouldn't start, so i tried it again and i could only hear the solenoid BRRRappping away.
So does that mean the starter solenoid is ok?

I'll get back to you's after i try the new/right size battery in the morning.

Didnt realise they took two different ones tbh..fingers crossed.

Put the new battery in and it did start after the 2nd try, 1st try just turning over ( so i panicked a little)
Touch wood that it's sorted!

I'm still clicking on every advert I see on this site by the way! I really don't want it to go away!