I have a practially brand new gs550f (67 miles).  Was out for a ride yesterday and was pulling into my storage unit where I keep the bike.  As I was keying in the security code, I accidentally kicked the shifter with my foot and put the bike in first from neutral.  Now  the bike won't start at all.  I get a really loud clicking from  the starter, but that is it.  Every once in a while it will make a slight attempt to start, but usually it's just the starter clicking and that is it.  

I don't understand how just accidentally kicking the bike into gear would make it not start.  Could I have messed something up just by doing this?

Like I said the bike is nearly brand new.  It is a 2004, but I have only put like 65 miles on it.  Anyone have any suggestions?  i would appreciate the help!

Also anyone know the stock warranty for the 500f.  Would be interested to know if I can get it looked at under warranty if I need to

thanks

Matt Jones

The engine won't run or turn over if the kickstand is down and its in gear.

If you put it into gear when the kickstand is down, it will kill even if you have the clutch pulled in.

Sorry, I should have read a bit harder before replying.

Can you get the bike back into neutral? I can't think of how this would have happened, but what is the voltage on the battery?

I was able to get the bike back into neutral and shift gears but now it's been sticking in gear.  I have it in neutral right now.  As for the battery, it seems that the blinkers are cycling really slow, and when hit the hight beam they don't blink at all, so the battery may be low.  I just don't know why that would happen after riding for an hour and kicking it into neutral.  gonna charge the battery tonight and see if that makes a difference.  

I am at a loss as to why it won't start.  I don't even know where to begin looking for a problem  Just don't want it to be something major, since the bike is new.  Could I have messed up some sensor or switch for the neutral or something like that.  Just seems that maybe there is something out of whack, but don't know how to set things straight.

Thanks

matt jones

I'm no motorcycle mechanic but a bike that is almost two years old and has only been ridden under 100 miles should probably need some basic maintenance done before trying to start it.  Not knowing if the oil has been changed, good gas in the tank, battery charged, lube all points.............etc, etc.

If you have done those things, I'm not sure what the problem might be.

Stock warranty should be one year I believe.

Try charging your battery. If you don't have a charger, you can jump a bike if you need to but try finding a charger first. If you do end up jumping your bike, don't have the car running when you jump it. Just hook your bike up to the car's battery.

Did you buy it this season or last year? Was this the first time that you rode it this season?

If last year, how did you store it? Did you change the oil, put sta-bil in the gas etc.?

I've found that shifting can be hard if you're not moving. If you rock it back and forth and move the wheels a bit, that might help.

I got the bike last fall and it sat in a storage unit all winter.  i have run the engine every week or so and have ridden it a few miles every couple of weeks.  I put about 30 miles on it a few weeks ago and another 20 yesterday.  It has always started right up and ran fine.

I did post a few months ago about a knocking noise that was coming from the bike that I could pin point as to it's location.  seemed to move around when i listened for it but sounded like it was in the tank.  Kind of like a metal pinging against metal kind of sound.

the bike was running fine yesterday.  Like I said just pulled up to the keypad at the storage unit and had it in neutral.  Just happened to kick it into first on accident and the bike lunged and died.  After that, wouldn't start, but got the lound starter noise clicking.  Rolled it down to my storage unit and tried to start it and got nothing.  Every once in a while sounds like it tries to start but not enough juice, so maybe it the battery.  

when I checked the battery today it was really hot after trying to start the bike and the connectors were corroded, so i cleaned them and tried again.  Will try to charge the battery tonight and see if that helps.

Just don't understand how just kicking a bike into gear could cause so many problems.

thanks again for the help

Matt

I assume that the engine died when you kicked it into first?  My guess is that the corroded connectors (and therefore insufficient charging system) finally caught up with you.

Thank your lucky stars that you weren't in the middle of your ride!

Let us know if charging the battery fixes you up.  Or if the bike can be jump started / bump started.

Quote from: terapn13
I did post a few months ago about a knocking noise that was coming from the bike that I could pin point as to it's location.  seemed to move around when i listened for it but sounded like it was in the tank.  Kind of like a metal pinging against metal kind of sound.

Bring it to the dealer if it's still making this noise and have them listen. Some GS500F's have camshaft problems and dealers should be aware of it. (ask me how I know- I'm on my 3rd exhaust and 2nd intake cams)

before you go to all the trouble check the fluid level in the battery.  low fluid is the most common failure for not charging.  then the battery dying, and finaly a faulty regulator.   2 years is about avarage for batt lifespan though.

I had similar issues last fall with my bike. I had to clean the connectors well, made sure there is plenty of fluid in the thing, and then reattached the battery with a 10mm wrench. Don't bother using a screwdriver as the connection won't be tight enough (wrench = more torque). A loose connection can cause undue battery drain (I'm guessing this is the culprit). Give it a whirl.  

Well I charged the battery last night, and gave it a whirl this afternoon.  The bike did seem to have more juice, but it still won't start.  the starter is still clicking and nothing is happening.  Tries to start here and there but don't get more than a crank from the engine.  

Whatever the problem is, it's putting a big load on the battery, because it is heating the battery up and it even started spitting gas and liquid from the vent tube on the side.  the battery charged fine and there is enough fluid in it, so i don't think that is the cause.  

could i have had the starter motor freeze up on me, and that is the causing it not to start and working he battery too much?

I just don't know how anything could be wrong when the bike is relatively new.

Anyone know how to find out if I still have a factory warranty to work with.  Someone said they thought it was a year from the factory, but even the dealership by me is no help.  Would Suzuki know?  If I remember correctly from the original title I got from the previous owner, he bought it in July of last year, so that woiuld give me alittle time on the warranty.  Just don't knowhow to verify that.

thanks for any help and suggestions

matt jones

Quote from: terapn13could i have had the starter motor freeze up on me

Given that you ARE getting a "click" out of the starter relay, and given the signs of large amperage draw, I would consider that to be a distinct possibility.

If it weren't for the amperage draw, I would suspect a faulty starter relay.  Not the coil (which sounds like it's working) but the "pass through" component that actually connects the starter motor to the + terminal of the battery when the relay is closed.

Time to bring in Mr. starwalt!

Would the starter foul up from an accidental shift into first from neutral, or could it be just a very bad coincidence?  Just trying to figure out if it would be related to my foot slipping the bike into gear by accident.

matt jones

Hmmm, good point.  Maybe the starter motor itself isn't seized, but it can't turn because of a "lockup" in the transmission?

I'm out of my depth here, so we'll have to rely on the racers / wrenchers who have been into "the guts".

mine was clicking the other day like you describe, i simply put bike in gear and rocked it back and forth vigerously.  Started right up after that(i had an old dirt bike that did the same when i was a kid).  May not fix anything for ya, but its free, give it a shot.   This works if the starter is hanging.

well. got to the root of the problem.   Looks like the battery was done!!!  Held a charge, but would quit when you put a load on it.  Just so happens the problem showed itself when I accidentally popped the bike into gear.

i feel kind of foolish about it, but at least it was a minor fix, and not a major problem

thanks to everyone for the help and suggestions.  I appreciate it!

Matt Jones