I know this is obvious, but there's the battery, the starter, and the engine.
Always start without touching the throttle
Below freezing, the oil is much thicker...depending on what type/weight is how thick-10w40 or 15w40, the first number is the "thickness/viscosity" stone cold, the higher the number, the thicker
my Shell Rotella synthetic is 5w40...but this doesn't matter much
The engine stone cold has more drag on the starter.
Starters on plus 100k miles bikes are starting to wear out, but personally, I just think they have a hard time anyway cranking a 1300cc high compression engine.
The brushes do wear and it does deteriote a little at a time over time...I think WFooshee or somebody has a method to check the current while cranking to check the condition of the starter
and battery...my Westco seems to last 3 years and then becomes more marginal than I like since I'm retired and away from home alot (ride 28k mi a year)
I find it's best to keep my battery on a tender 24/7 when it's parked in my garage...I find it makes some difference, especially in the winter to constantly have a "topped off" battery first thing in the morning...seems to make the battery last longers working better
hope this helps
Mike in Nawlins'
Lower temperatures reduce the power of the battery. New battery will help.
The comment about the starter motor is a possibility, BTDT myself. My starter issue was that the bike wouldn't crank when warm, had to sit for 15 minutes or so before it would crank well enough to start.
My own 2003 starts better in the cold when in neutral, and with just a bit of throttle.
let's see, first starter...then a stupid acting injector...next it'll be a loose footpeg !!!
