My 2014 is still running on it’s original battery. I pulled it out this morning with temps right around freezing, and it was turning over a little slow. I do run 15W50 oil in it, so that might be why. Gave it about 4-5 seconds on the starter the first time, then shut it off for a minute. On second attempt it started.
One thing I’ve noticed on this 3rd Gen that never ever happened on my 1st Gen ‘05 is, often when starting cold, I’ll thumb the starter button and hear it fire up, usually on the 3rd compression stroke. But if I release it after the first pop it sometimes dies. It usually fires right up on the second attempt.
I ‘ve taken to holding the starter button down until the bike starts for real, especially when stone cold. That seems to take care of it 99% of the time. My thought process is that, due to the sprag clutch on the starter gear, keeping the starter running after the engine starts is not detrimental.
Today was an exception, it popped once and then nothing four several seconds. But, bike did start, ran fine all day with no problems starting afterwards. Probably my last ride on it this year. I kind of squeezed this one in after putting all of the bikes up for winter.
It was worth it. It was a fine 300 mile ride.
Edit- I almost forgot: this thread’s symptom sounds like it might be fast starter syndrome. It still happens to all FJRs now and then. Go read the thread on it. The fix is to keep going with the throttle held wide open. I seriously doubt the compression is fubar.
