My bike can take up to 5 turns of the starter motor to start the engine, with the 'engine trouble' light flicking, and I'm convinced that the button is not as firm as it used to be. Other times, like at the Yamaha mechanic, it starts in 2 turns. I'm afraid it will need a push one day!

Starter motor issues or battery, alternator a lot of possibilities, I would ask Yamaha to run a few tests.

Moving this thread out of the website and forum suggestion place, as it is not related. you will find a redirecting link to the appropriate ELECTRICAL issues.

Now when you say 'flickering', do you mean literally it's flickering or actually flashing when the start button is pressed. If it is flashing then there is a fault in the FI system somewhere. If it's flickering (as in a bad/intermittent connection) then I'd hazard a guess that the start button is not making good contact or you've possibly got a jittery/sticky starter relay.

If it starts sometimes OK, other after two turns and sometimes five, then it does seem to point to an intermittent fault or bad contact somewhere.

What's the battery like? Does it sound laboured when it's turning over the five times?

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