My bike wont start

if the engine is flooded, crank it over on a full throttle and hold it open until it fires.

Failing that, Buy a pointy! - pointies rule OK

Originally Posted by joshmac

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but:

Sidestand switch won't stop in starting in neutral...
Killswitch would stop it turning over at all...
Clutch would be the same as the killswitch

As the OP said it was turning over off the car battery, I don't believe it could be any of these.

Get the bike battery sorted anyway though

no need to correct you. if it wants to start then its none of the above.

[embee]

May be nothing to do with it but I'd definitely second/third the advice about fuel. It changes with seasons, more volatile in winter to aid cold starting, and the big difference between carb/FI is that in carbs the volatile fractions will evaporate quickly when the bike is stopped and you get a decent heat soak. FI fuel rails are sealed so keep these fractions contained. It is important, otherwise the fuel companies wouldn't bother to change spec throughout the year (typically 3 specs, winter/intermediate/summer, defined by Reid Vapour Pressure or RVP).

At the very least drain the carbs, add at least 5L of fresh fuel in the tank and mix it, then try again. The carbs will need to refill so several short dabs on the starter, a couple of seconds at a time, full choke and no throttle.

It'd be worth checking that the choke cable isn't broken too!

I get a regular number of folks bring lawnmowers to me in spring which won't start. Suck teeth, difficult one, leave it with me. Drain fuel, add fresh, pull and away it goes.

thanks for all the advice. I took the spark plugs out gave em a bit of a clean while i was waiting for a mate to bring up some jumpleads. Jump started it and it started after about 1min trying. Seems to be running ok now, I took it out for about an hour and turned it off when i got home. Tried again and it started first time. I think chuffed is the word

Hopefully it will be ok if it try it tomorrow.

Brilliant!
You'll soon find out if you need a new battery, fingers crossed you won't though

Can I drain the fuel tank? If so how? Having similar starting problems as other member. Battery is now charged, is it worth changing the oil as well?
cheers

Supplemental - new fuel top up worked a treat and I'm off for the first ride of the year!