Triumphrat

06-10-2006, 08:17 PM

My 2005 S3 seems to be getting slower starting.
it always cranked longer than I am use to with other bikes but it seems to crank longer now than it did when it was brand new, it has 1700 miles now. This is only after it sits for a length of time, even over night. Once it is run it starts fine on restarts.
The other thing I've notice lately is an occasional pop or cough through the intake when the throttle is blipped from closed, like when you are sitting at a traffic light. I bought the bike new last October and put a quick 1000 miles on it to get it to the first service before storing it for the winter. Neither of these things were evident then. They started with the first ride this year. I kept the bike on a battery tender all winter and put Sta-bil in the fuel. I though it might be the gas but I've put 700 mile on since taking it out of storage and it still does it.
The bike run great otherwise, runs smooth and pulls strong.
Any thoughts?

job

6485 · 06-10-2006, 09:53 PM

sounds about right to me. My bike has 6500 miles on it, and I still get that occasional cough. Not very often, but from time to time. And yes, she's a very slow cranker!

MonkeyHanger · 06-11-2006, 03:26 PM

Mine gave an almighty back fire today; she does this from time to time. I love it.

Hairball · 06-11-2006, 04:57 PM

Mine is a PITA! to start and its getting worse at 5000 miles... I don't like it.
and I'm sure the battery doesn't either.

I was trying showing it off to some guys at the Supermoto track, It had cooled a bit.
As soon as I TRIED to start it... no one was impressed with it.

For some reason, Saying "Its suppose to start like that" --- does not cut it.

It is going into the shop next week, If it cannot be re-mapped to start better...
I'm gonna peel off all the after-market stuff, Sell on Ebay and...

FOR SALE!
or... I may trade in for a 675, if the 675 starts like a NORMAL bike.

Don't get me wrong, I love looking at, and riding this bike.

It's the starting and braking I don't like.

HiVel · 06-11-2006, 05:16 PM

Right-first start of the day is a PITA and takes like what seems forever-approx 3 times at 10 seconds each most days. Hot starts are no problem-starts right up. I just got my
entire FI system reset and all adjustments are supposed to be right on. It runs really great with no problems except starting slow first one of the day. No explanation from dealer on this situation. Just do it-it is worth it to ride the BEAST!!

The brakes have also become a non-issue for me. After initial spongy lever and lousy feel , the dealer seems to have cured it after I bled them and he did too along with a D&C of the pucks (pads) (push them in and clean in there). They are fine and really work well for now. I'm good with this bike as it is the most fun I have ever had on two wheels w/o being naked. (I know -the bike is naked). Forget the little stuff and ride the wheels off that*****, it is a great bike bordering on legend!!

realizations · 06-11-2006, 10:24 PM

It seems to fire as soon as the oil pressure light goes out. I think they're linked. Hot starts (full oil galleries) always happen immediately. I had slow cranking until the bolt fell out of the grounding strap for the harness, then lifeless. One stupid bolt vexed me for weeks.

Diego · 06-12-2006, 03:49 AM

> It seems to fire as soon as the oil pressure light goes out. I think they're linked.

They're not. It's just coincidence.

Slow cold starts have been the bane of this engine from the beginning, especially for those with off-road pipes. The newer FI map largely fixed that, but not entirely.

The pre-map workaround was to crank about 4 seconds with just the slightest bit of throttle, then release the throttle while still cranking. That still works if one wants it to start in the minimum possible time. Otherwise, it takes about two tries to start, at best, despite efforts to 'train' it by fastidiously adhering to the proper (non-throttle) procedure through multiple operating cycles. That's still better than before the newer map, when it took four 5-second crankings to fire.

I haven't seen any sign of it taking any longer with age, on mine or others I know of, so I wouldn't say it's "normal." Perhaps there's more annoyance factor after the newness has worn off. But if it is actually taking longer on a specific machine, it needs to be checked out. Could be an issue with plugs, or it could be a sensor going out of calibration, or possibly a number of other things.

HarriS · 06-12-2006, 06:18 AM

Mine always starts at first try. Maybe three seconds of cranking when cold and immediately when warm.

Stock map and about 7000km on the clock.

[ This message was edited by: HarriS on 2006-06-12 04:19 ]

06-12-2006, 12:34 PM

Thanks to everyone that replied, at least now I don't feel alone. I have an appointment with the dealer (in July, some service) to check it out, but in the mean time it's good to hear it is not just me. Thanks again.

JOB