I never have a straitforward problem with the SV!

I was just wondering if anyone has had the same problem or knows what it may be….

The bike; SV650S 2000(W) with lovely curves rather than pointy bits. It’s done about 8,800 miles and had a full service in Dec 05. Always garaged or under cover when parked. Oh and most relevant of all, it’s black!

The problem; For some reason the bugger won’t start unless it’s jumped. I had a new battery put on about 18 months ago that became dud after about 13 months (just after the warranty expired!). I therefore fitted a new battery which resolved the problem.

However, it’s had a few occasions where the engine turns over when trying to start it but it doesn’t even sound close to wanting to fire up. The battery sounds healthy when it’s turning over and I’ve also had it rigged up to an optimax charger.

I tried jump leads and low and behold it fired immediately! At this stage I thought I’d pop to a garage to get it checked properly and they were busy for at least two weeks. Once again though it wouldn’t start up (I’d only been off it for 10 mins). So the mechanics had a look and again it worked perfectly with jump leads…… They thought it may be a charging issue with the battery but it was reading as being fine with the output and strength.

The other thought was that it may have been running too rich and was flooding easily as I never have to use even the slightest amount of choke. However, that wouldn’t make sense as it wouldn’t start whether jumped or not if that was the case.

The RAC patrol even openly admitted he didn’t have a clue what the problem was….great, thanks!

Finally, this occurs completely randomly so I can’t point to it being an issue with the weather or only if it’s hot/cold etc…

Sorry for the novel – just thought I’d provide as much info in the hope that someone has had a similar problem and found a solution.

Not trying to insult your mechanical intelligence here (Because that would make me more than just a tad hypocritical) but have you checked your sparky isn't fried?

If it always starts with jump leads this does point to a weak battery. I take it you are connecting the leads to the battery terminals? (else I’d suggest a bad earth).

You might have just got unlucky with your new battery (some go US for no good reason real quick, others last years). Or the charging system on the bike is frying it … that’ll kill even a nice new battery with time.

What’s the voltage across the battery with the bike sitting there, with it cranking over, and finally with it running at low rpm and then high rpm??

Thanks for the suggestions. Davido, I don't think it's a fried plug. They were all changed in Dec and I've not done that many miles on it since. Btw, wouldn't it still start even if one of the sparks was in bad shape? - Also, I'm a novice too so you may be on the money and I could be speaking out of a place that's designed only for sitting!


Blue_SVS; I never thought about the battery being cooked rather than not having enough charge. I don't recall the exact readouts but I think the range was from about 12.7 idle to 13.5 cranking to ..... damn, I can't remember!! I think it reached the high 13's when giving it some. Sorry that's a bit vague.

had an xj650 many moons ago, that would not start if left for more than about six hours, turned the bike over really well but would not start up. used to have to bump it, i put it down to bad cold starting, servicing didn`t sort it, and they could find nothing wrong. change to a new battery and it was spot on after that. battery appeared fine when turning the bike over but was losing charge, so didn`t have enough to provide the extra omph to start it.
could it be that yours has power but just not quite enough to start it, especially as its starting on a jump start?
Also that sugests your current battery is only 5 months old and therefore still under warrenty, (if you keep the reciept !)
all the best, phil

its could be a combo of dodgy earthing and slighty ill battery, it might just not have power to turn it over and go around a clean up all the earths.

Check your regulator mate. If you are going through multiple atteries with the same prob then most likely that is the cause. Regulators are a know weak spot, especially with the earlier carbed bikes.

Thanks for the advice - I've got a few things to go on. I've taken it to a garage that I've not used before, although I'm confident (just instinct I guess) that the mechanic is capable and honest.

I'll post what he thinks it is and let you all know if it's resolved in case anyone has similar problems.

Thanks again - appreciate the responses.

Originally Posted by PeterM

Check your regulator mate. If you are going through multiple atteries with the same prob then most likely that is the cause. Regulators are a know weak spot, especially with the earlier carbed bikes.

+1 on the regulator check, however, make sure you get is warmed up before you check it, it's not uncommon for the RR to function fine when cold, then go bad after warmed up, then when it cools down, it works again

when my first RR went south, it took a long time to diagnose, it would stop charging the battery and start discharging after about a half hour of riding

Well, I seem to have the same kind of problem - I have an 1999/2000 SV650. I brought the bike to Banjax to get it serviced and requested that they remove the safety feature (needed to depress the clutch to start the engine), not sure if this is on UK bikes as well, mine is an import.

Ran just fine for many weeks and then went for a long ride (+100miles) and the bugger stopped as I was pulling away from a junction - newbie so kind of used toi the embarassement Tried to start again and it seemed as though the battery was dead, could hear the starter wine but not enough to start the engine. Roadside asssistance started it using leads and checked that it was charging with engine on, mechanic suggeted I replace the battery as it was 1yr+ old. Brought it to Banjax, they mentioned the little clutch trick would have nothing to do with this problem.

Six weeks down the line it has done it again but this time with 6 week old battery!! Went for a long'ish ride, stopped a couple of times for food, started again no probs. Then on the way to a mates house (my original destination) it stopped at a junction, before it did I noticed that the speedos were reacting adversley to me switching on the indicators, bopping up and down and display switching off. Jumped started it and rode to mates house, switched it off and then on again no problems. One hour later on started it again no probs, after about 30 miles started doing the speedo trick again. Got home parked it up switched it off and it would not start again.

Tried it again today, doesn't want to start. Did manage to bump start it though and then it stalled again (once I had all my gear back on!! ), I dispair. Any ideas what may be causing this? Would like to enjoy some more of the riding over this bank holiday I fear that that won't be possible though.. .

Many thanks for any help anyone can offer!!