Help! Brand New 05 GS500f won't start...

[Ali]

Hi all...
This is my first post, love the site, been lurking here for a while!  I bought my new GS two days ago and I have to say that starting has always been a pain, with all the safety features.  Anyways, today I guess I was so excited so show off my new bike to a friend that I didn't have the kickstand all the way down and was getting off the bike when it went down.  It went down slowly though and there doesn't appear to be much damage - a couple of scuff marks.  BUT...now the damn thing won't start or I should say it does sometimes and doesn't others...it may start 1 in 25 tries.  It took me 45 minutes to get it started after it fell and when I got home and turned it off and on, it started right away.  Now, I go out every half hour to try and it doesn't start more than it starts.  Any help would be appreciated....

[my00forest]

what do you mean by doesn't start? does it turn over and not start or does it not turn over at all.

[Code4]

Sorry I can't help you out, tuff luck on the fall. If you bought it new pit stop at the dealer. Got to love warranty.

[Ali]

It doesn't turn over, I push the starter button and nothing.

[ajgs500]

ok I had the same problem after I dropped my bike.......... start with the battery, charge it, check the fluid level, etc.

[Ali]

I checked the battery, it's charged and terminals are securely attached.  I also checked the clutch lever wire and it appears fine.

[ajgs500]

You may have damaged the clutch lever switch.  You will see two small screws under the handle bar.  Take these out and reverse the switch.  Next, make sure the bike is in neutral!!!!!!!! keep the clutch lever out and try to start the bike.  If it starts then you need a new switch.  Under ten dollars for a new one.

[scottpA_GS]

may have damaged the kick stand switch as well  

[Ali]

Reversed the switch, still doesn't start.  With the kickstand switch, if the bike is in neutral it should still start, right?  Is it possible it's something to do with the fuel getting somewhere is shouldn't?

[ajgs500]

Possible check the gas but not that much should have spilled out.  Then maybe check for kinked fuel lines or check the position of your petcock

[Ali]

Checked all that and seems ok...thanks to everyone for the suggestions.  Guess I'll just have to take it in to the dealer.  

[JetSwing]

if it doesn't even turn over (when it doesn't start), it's electrical...since the bike fell to its left side, it's most likely the clutch switch. the clutch switch has loose contact...

it's not likely that the kickstand switch would get damaged from a light drop either.

[my00forest]

i don't think if gas got somewhere the bike wouldn't even turn over. it sounds to me as though you have a loose conection somwhere along the line. what side did you drop it on. it sounds like i would just take it to the stealership and have them fix er up for you

[Kerry]

I can't remember - does the '05 still have pull-off contacts like this?



If so, you can bypass the switch entirely by pulling both wires and pushing a paper clip (or similar) into both connectors.  Just in case your reverse-the-switch test didn't go 100% perfect somehow.

Yes, the bike should start with the kickstand down if it's in neutral.  But the sidestand switch itself could have been jarred ... or the Engine Kill switch could have been turned off accidentally as you picked the bike up or something.

[Ali]

Kerry,

You are a God!!  It works!!!  Better than it did before I dropped it - good ol' paper clip!  Thanks sooooo much...I can ride to work tomorrow!!!

[ajgs500]

You better thank me too...... I isolated the problem WTF  

[calamari]

...

... I bought my new GS two days ago... I didn't have the kickstand all the way down and was getting off the bike when it went down...

these kind of things make me cry at night.

[Kerry]

I love it when educated guesses turn into a real-life solution!  

Congrats, you're welcome, and a happy ride to work, from both me and ajgs500.

Right, ajgs500?

[ajgs500]

Yes Kerry,  maybe Ali can learn from all of our experience good or bad

[Ali]

Thanks to you too ajgs500 - in all my excitement, I forgot!!  Thank you, thank you, thank you ...