starting problems in Peru
 

hello there,
my f650gs 2003 is parked up alley at side of hotel, yesterday it wouldn't start, not turning over at all, got push start and rode round town for maybe 1/2 hour, stopped for around 1 1/2 hours and bike started fine, today bike hicupped, i waited with igniction on for about 1/2 minute and it started, left running for couple of mins and she starts fine. any idea what this could be and what i should do, i thought maybe i had left park light on, but now pretty sure i would have noticed, so if it just needs a nice long run to fully charge, why did it go flat in 1st place or is something else at fault. Please bear in mind i have very little bike knowledge, but look forward to geting some replies, Thanks ! mareestu

Hi Mareeta
Hard to tell what the problem is from your description. Are the headlights bright ?

I have a Dakar and had some starting problems. Check all connections particulay the connection block in front of the right hand footrest under the engine, and the one on the sidestand.

Also, check the level of the electrolyte in the battery and keep it toped up to the upper level with distilled water.

Good luck !

Dave

When the bike would not turn over ... did the instrument lights dim (neutral, oil, battery) ? If they went dimer than normal it could have been a flat battery - leave the heated grips on? Or battery dry, reaching end of life?

Do you have a DMM? You could take some measurements - battery voltage after a ride, discharge current into the bike when the bike is switched off, battery voltage after an over night rest.

thanks for your response it was a very dead battery, seemed rather sudden, have a new one installed ,
thanks mareestu