Bike Cranks but Won't Start?

RiderOnTheStorm · March 25th, 2012, 11:14 AM

Hey everyone,

I am looking for some help, please! About 2 weeks ago I had a lowside on my left side. There were scratches to the left fairings and barends and my gear shift lever was bent back. When I tried to start the bike, right after the crash (to get home) it cranked but did not start right away. I gave it a bit of throttle and it started up and I rode it about 15 miles home. Beyond the awkward angle of the shift lever, the bike sounded fine and went through the RPMs fine.

Yesterday, I tried to start it and the bike cranked but did not start. I first tried for about 5 seconds and when it didn't start, I let it sit for a few minutes. I came back, cranked it with some throttle and it still did not start. I let it sit for another while and then tried to start it again at which point I could tell it was cranking slower and would "click" right as the starter motor would engage.

The battery is the original (to my knowledge) and while the bike has been garaged, I do not know if the battery was ever tendered. I haven't tendered it while I owned it the last 6 months.

Does this sound like just a battery issue or has anyone encountered anything similar? Anyone crash and have similar symptoms? Thanks for your help!

Gorilla25 · March 25th, 2012, 11:28 AM

Well, that clicking u hear means the battery is gettin low from you cranking it so much with no start up success. Try opening the fuel tank to release pressure and try again. Try holding WOT and starting. Also try choke all the way on. The choke all the way on and WOT start up.

Alex · March 25th, 2012, 12:47 PM

Get the battery fully charged, or jump start the bike from a larger battery.

RiderOnTheStorm · March 25th, 2012, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Get the battery fully charged, or jump start the bike from a larger battery.

I appreciate the responses! For the charging, is there a tender you recommend or I should use?

And if the battery is running low, is the damage already done or will a charge make is pretty close to good as new?

Alex · March 25th, 2012, 03:05 PM

Can't go wrong with the "battery tender" brand. If this is the first time it's run low, odds are the battery is still fine. It's a pretty small battery, so after trying to start the bike a couple of times, it drains a surprising amount of energy from it.

RiderOnTheStorm · March 25th, 2012, 05:06 PM

Just got the Battery Tender and I've got the battery charging now. I'm going to let it go overnight and then tomorrow see where it stands.

While I don't want it to get to this... If the bike won't start then I am guessing I should look at spark plugs and then the carbs?

March 25th, 2012, 11:14 AM	#1
RiderOnTheStorm ninjette.org member Name: Brian Location: El Paso, TX Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): Blue 08 250 - Blue Magic Posts: 162	Bike Cranks but Won't Start? Hey everyone, I am looking for some help, please! About 2 weeks ago I had a lowside on my left side. There were scratches to the left fairings and barends and my gear shift lever was bent back. When I tried to start the bike, right after the crash (to get home) it cranked but did not start right away. I gave it a bit of throttle and it started up and I rode it about 15 miles home. Beyond the awkward angle of the shift lever, the bike sounded fine and went through the RPMs fine. Yesterday, I tried to start it and the bike cranked but did not start. I first tried for about 5 seconds and when it didn't start, I let it sit for a few minutes. I came back, cranked it with some throttle and it still did not start. I let it sit for another while and then tried to start it again at which point I could tell it was cranking slower and would "click" right as the starter motor would engage. The battery is the original (to my knowledge) and while the bike has been garaged, I do not know if the battery was ever tendered. I haven't tendered it while I owned it the last 6 months. Does this sound like just a battery issue or has anyone encountered anything similar? Anyone crash and have similar symptoms? Thanks for your help! Last futzed with by RiderOnTheStorm; March 25th, 2012 at 11:19 AM. Reason: I don't proofread closely enough...

March 25th, 2012, 12:47 PM	#3
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Get the battery fully charged, or jump start the bike from a larger battery. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

March 25th, 2012, 03:05 PM	#5
Alex ninjette.org dude Name: 1 guess :-) Location: SF Bay Area Join Date: Jun 2008 Motorcycle(s): '13 Ninja 300 (white, the fastest color!), '13 R1200RT, '14 CRF250L, '12 TT-R125LE Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 7	Can't go wrong with the "battery tender" brand. If this is the first time it's run low, odds are the battery is still fine. It's a pretty small battery, so after trying to start the bike a couple of times, it drains a surprising amount of energy from it. __________________________________________________ Montgomery Street Motorcycle Club / cal24.com / crf250l.org / ninjette.org ninjette.org Terms of Service Shopping for motorcycle parts or equipment? Come here first. The friendliest Ninja 250R/300/400 forum on the internet! (especially Unregistered)

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March 25th, 2012, 11:28 AM	#2
Gorilla25 Dakine... Name: AJ Location: DFW Join Date: Jun 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2009 Ninja 250R (Sold) \| 636 (hopefully soon) Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5	Well, that clicking u hear means the battery is gettin low from you cranking it so much with no start up success. Try opening the fuel tank to release pressure and try again. Try holding WOT and starting. Also try choke all the way on. The choke all the way on and WOT start up.

March 25th, 2012, 05:06 PM	#6
RiderOnTheStorm ninjette.org member Name: Brian Location: El Paso, TX Join Date: Jan 2012 Motorcycle(s): Blue 08 250 - Blue Magic Posts: 162	Just got the Battery Tender and I've got the battery charging now. I'm going to let it go overnight and then tomorrow see where it stands. While I don't want it to get to this... If the bike won't start then I am guessing I should look at spark plugs and then the carbs?