Sluggish starting of hot R1200RT engine

[blongb]

Hi,

Just got back from a great 2500 mile ride on my brand new '08 RT and I found that when the engine is hot (after filling the tank with gas) the starter barely cranks. The info display goes blank for a couple of seconds, then the engine finally turns over and starts. The battery is brand new and the battery voltage is being maintained.

Anyone else have this trouble?

Regards,
Bill

PS. By the way, I love the bike..............

[JPSpen]

How many miles on the bike now ?

Display goes blank cause the starter relay is unloading the electrical system.
Slow turn probably means tight engine..or hot starter....or both...

My RT is considerably older and hot startup is fine...
You'll be thinking, "Yeah it's considerably older ". but wait...
My 01 Rt has only 17K on it.. Not even broken in yet...Had 15K on it 080808 when she was purchased....

Once again, how many miles ??
Could just be a new engine.. They swell up when they get hot..
Vaporlock ?

John

[Mag]

My 2008 RT has 4800 miles in 2 months, I haven't had any of the symptoms you're describing even after putting several hundred miles on in a day.

Gotta agree with you, I LOVE THE BIKE!!!!!!! :dance:

[blongb]

The bike only has 3300 miles on it so the engine is probably still pretty tight. It cranked just fine at the higher elevations, but at sea level and hot, not.

Bill

[CDNBKR]

I only have 2,500km on mine but don't have the problem your experiencing. Suggest you check with your dealer.

[tinmanrt]

Copper has a high temperature coefficient on resistivity - that means when it gets hot, the resistance goes up. This will affect the starter and the wires from the battery to the solenoid and starter. I had a car that this happened to - hot day, hot engine - weak cranking - weak enough to prevent starting. I had to move the battery and make the connections to the starter better.

That being said, I have not noticed this on the RT in SoCal heat. I suspect poor connections in the battery to starter path since you say the battery is new (unless the battery is a lemon or wasn't properly "started up" after purchase.)

Any indication that the engine might be running hot, hotter than normal?