Total Motorcycle Community Forums

Hello, my name is ALonso and I just bought a Yamaha XVS1100 and I love it man. I'm new to this type of bike though. I used to ride dirtbikes a while ago and I've been wanting a cruiser bike for a while. So anyway, from what I've read I probably didn't make a smart choice by getting a bike this big but I don't seem to have a problem with it so far. I'm still gonna take that test everyone keeps talking about cause it sounds like the smart thing to do.
I bought this bike a couple of days ago and had no problems with it the first day. The second day however when I went to start it up, it wouldn't start so I used the choke and still wouldn't start. A friend of mine finally pushed me and I got it started in gear. Then after that I had no problems starting it but then that night I got home and parked it for a couple of hours and then tried to start it, and the same thing happend.
Luckily after a couple of minutes I was able to start it with no problem.
I forgot to mention that when the problem first occured, I took it back to where I bought it from and the one guy looked at it and found no problems at all.
Strange.
Could it be the battery? I know it's not gas cause the tank is full.
Responses will be greatly appreciated.

Alonso.

THank you.

the XVS1100 is not really bad for newbies.

it's rated at 62 bhp. that's cool for newbies.

i have zero mechanical skillz so no comment regarding your starting problems.

Congrats on the new bike, I'd love to sse pictures of it!

As far as the bike not starting, it could be loose battery connections. Post about it in the "Troubleshooting" section of the forum and you might get a better responce.

Good luck!

When you took it back, were THEY able to start it?

I'm thinking "sidestand kill switch." On my bike, it will not start while I have the sidestand down, UNLESS the bike is in Neutral. If your bike has been tipped over, the sidestand switch may have been damaged (it happens).

You don't mention if you get 'no sound' at all from the bike or some 'action' but no engaging. Need more clues.

P

The brushes on your starter may be worn out. Can you hear the starter clicking when you try to start? I'm thinking it is the brushes since you were able to start it after a while of cranking.

I assume you've covered the basics when starting...key turned to on, kill switch in ON position, kick stand up, clutch pulled in...etc....

When you turn the bike on, lift up the kick stand, pull in the clutch, AND WAIT A MOMENT for any noises from the bike to quiet, then try to start. If the bike doesn't start right away, stop and repeat. 2nd time mine always starts.

On my bike, I have to wait for the fuel pump to get fuel to the injectors. (the humming sound to stop when the bike is ready to be started)

When I first got the bike it wouldn't start until I learned to wait for the quiet. Now no problem.

I'm used to the old fashioned KICK START...this is my first electric start bike.

Hope this helps.....

THank you guys so much for all the helpful replies.
Well, I'm doing everything right as far starting the bike.
I have it on neutral, turn on the key, lift up the kick stand, then the choke and try to start it and you can hear it trying to start but nothing happens. There's times when it looks it's about too but then it just gives up, you can hear what I'm guessing it's the starter clicking.

i just got off the phone with the dealership, i had the exact same problem.

the battery was not charged fully for me when i picked it up. i drove it 4 miles, it sat 3.5 day, and then nothing.

The said they gave it a once over and charged it up etc.

You might want to call your dealership and be like wth?
If you bought yout bike and picked it up the same day, I can bet it is that.

You could always try charging the battery. It might have enough juice to turn the starter but not enough to make the bike actually start. Its worth a shot I think.

Edit: Maker beat me to it

So I took it back to the dealership and of course it would start fine. I told them I had to push the damn thing by myself, get on it and then start it on 1st. That's the only way I could start up the damn thing.
Anyway, they looked at it and said the battery is fine. They said they readjusted a few things here and there and clean some filters. They were not very specific. Anyway, I've been starting it up every 2 hours and it's working since then. The real test is gonna be tomorrow though.
Now, it is starting but it doesn't start right up though, I have to fool with it a couple of times. Is that normal? I have a friend whose bike starts right up everytime. Of couse he's got an 04 Honda VTX 1300. A few years newer than mine.