Bike won't turn ON,is it a time to replace battery?

[Petar]

Hello everybody,

I'm having problem with my bike.
Yesterday i ride normally,bike started from 2nd try,and i was riding a mile or so,to store.
Today i wanted to go riding and i can't start it at all.
I turn On ignition key and front light,oil check light,neutral,high beam bulbs all work,but once i try to pull in the clutch and press start button,bike keeps making sound as it trying to start but it can't.
I bought bike from it's previous owner,and i think the battery is 2 year old.
However i charge it two times,and last time was a week ago.
Yesterday it started normally from 2 try IIRC,but today it won't start at all.
What should i do?
Is the battery dead and lost all of it's capacity,or what?

Every comment from you guys is more then welcome 
Kind regards,
Petar

[Toner]

Hello everybody,

I'm having problem with my bike.
Yesterday i ride normally,bike started from 2nd try,and i was riding a mile or so,to store.
Today i wanted to go riding and i can't start it at all.
I turn On ignition key and front light,oil check light,neutral,high beam bulbs all work,but once i try to pull in the clutch and press start button,bike keeps making sound as it trying to start but it can't.
I bought bike from it's previous owner,and i think the battery is 2 year old.
However i charge it two times,and last time was a week ago.
Yesterday it started normally from 2 try IIRC,but today it won't start at all.
What should i do?
Is the battery dead and lost all of it's capacity,or what?

Every comment from you guys is more then welcome 
Kind regards,
Petar

My bike made this sound:

I had to buy a new battery. Got one of those dry yellow motobatt ones.

[Petar]

Hi,mine doesn't make that click.
Mine does identical sound like in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7NDJ3VWfTA

[Watcher]

If the starter is spinning the engine like that then the battery is fine, there is some other issue.

Set the petcock to PRI and make sure you are using the choke (and that the choke is still functioning).

[Meukowi]

check the spark plug, is it wet or dry, and check if theres a spark at all, If the engine turns over its something related to fuel or spark

Lähetetty minun G8341 laitteesta Tapatalkilla

[Petar]

@Watcher,should i ride with PRI,or should I use PRI for few minutes while the bike is turned off
As for choke,i always use it all the way ON when starting bike.I think it's still working,since it was working 2 days ago.

@Mwukowi,How can i check is there's a spark?
Sorry for stupid question,but I'm pretty new with bike mechanics,and I tried to look up on internet,but i couldn't find any info about checking if the spark is there.
It seems everyone know how,so there is no info about how to check it.

[mr72]

One other thing, I actually helped my dad with this problem yesterday with his DR200.

Make sure you're not turning the throttle while trying to start it. It may flood if you do that. My dad's bike did this and once we finally got it started it had to run like 5 minutes at idle before it cleared up and would run normally. It was news to my dad that you don't have to turn the throttle to start it.

[Petar]

One other thing, I actually helped my dad with this problem yesterday with his DR200.

Make sure you're not turning the throttle while trying to start it. It may flood if you do that. My dad's bike did this and once we finally got it started it had to run like 5 minutes at idle before it cleared up and would run normally. It was news to my dad that you don't have to turn the throttle to start it.

I never turning throttle while I'm starting the bike.
However,yesterday when i was trying to start it and after starting it for like 10 times,i did (first time ever) add a throttle while holding clutch and start button.
I just hope i  haven't done any damage because of it.

[Watcher]

PRI bypasses the vacuum for the petcock, so if there is an issue with fuel delivery the fuel may still flow on PRI.

You won't want to ride around like that, but it may help with starting.

Checking spark is done by removing a spark plug, putting it back into the boot, setting it near a bolt on the engine (grounding it), then just hit the starter and watch the plug for a spark.  It should be bright and visible even in daylight.
Stuffing a rag over the open cylinder hole is usually a good idea so you don't get any ignition of fuel vapor outside the cylinder.


@mr72 I almost always have to start my Ducati with some throttle, but I'm fairly certain it's jetted incorrectly.
My program KLX250 likes some throttle to start when it's hot as well.  Not a big enough issue for that bike to be pulling the carbs apart
Some day I'll get my Duc squared away but it's reliable otherwise so I'd rather not mess anything up by accident, lol.

[Petar]

PRI bypasses the vacuum for the petcock, so if there is an issue with fuel delivery the fuel may still flow on PRI.

You won't want to ride around like that, but it may help with starting.

Checking spark is done by removing a spark plug, putting it back into the boot, setting it near a bolt on the engine (grounding it), then just hit the starter and watch the plug for a spark.  It should be bright and visible even in daylight.
Stuffing a rag over the open cylinder hole is usually a good idea so you don't get any ignition of fuel vapor outside the cylinder.


@mr72 I almost always have to start my Ducati with some throttle, but I'm fairly certain it's jetted incorrectly.
My program KLX250 likes some throttle to start when it's hot as well.  Not a big enough issue for that bike to be pulling the carbs apart
Some day I'll get my Duc squared away but it's reliable otherwise so I'd rather not mess anything up by accident, lol.

Is there any other solution to ride normally with petcock set ON?
PRI is OK for starting,but i would like to ride with petcock set to ON.
I have store few miles from my home that sell a lot of battery's for bikes,so I called them and told them could they check with voltmeter is my battery really dead,just to be 100% sure.
Once i see what's with battery (in wednesday) i will check spark plugs.
As for spark plug,I must thank you for explaining.
I always heard other people talking about that,but couldn't find how exactly to do that.
Thanks!

[Watcher]

Is there any other solution to ride normally with petcock set ON?
PRI is OK for starting,but i would like to ride with petcock set to ON.

PRI is a diagnostic setting, its not meant to be an operating position.  If the bike set to PRI still will not start there may be another issue, not related to the fuel valve, but the fuel valve is often an issue so I'd like us to know if it will start on PRI or not at all.

I have store few miles from my home that sell a lot of battery's for bikes,so I called them and told them could they check with voltmeter is my battery really dead,just to be 100% sure.

According to what you've been giving us your battery is likely not at fault.  If the lights come on, and the engine cranks over, then the battery is probably fine.  I'd wait to buy a battery.



Slow down a bit, try some of the things we suggested, get back with us with the results, then we can lead you towards a solution with more accuracy.