2012 R cold starting problem

[dementedbrave]

I have about 3000 miles on my 2012 Street triple R, purchased a few months ago. Now that the temperature is dropping I have had some issues with starting the bike in the morning. It will crank over for a second or two then stop abruptly, and the red oil light will come on. I have to turn the key off and back on and try a couple more times for it to fire up. This has happened maybe two or three mornings so far. After it starts I don't have any problems. After 600miles I used 15-50 synthetic maxima oil and had the problem one cold morning, and last week I changed to 10-40 synthetic motorex. Could it be a faulty oil sensor? Too much or too little oil? I haven't talked to the dealer yet, wanted to see what you guys thought.

[Wayne's Striple]

Probably the the high viscosity oil which does thicken in cooler weather. You don't really need a 50W oil in a new bike, it just robs hp (I would only use it in a high mileage bike or for racing). Nothing to do with oil pressure. Check that the battery terminals are tight, but those OEM lead-acid batteries are marginal anyway cos the manufacturers use the smallest battery they can get away with. Get an 18Ah Shorai battery (lithium and 5 lbs lighter $190) and your starting problems are over for 10yrs. Also do a 10 min tune; start the bike from cold and let it idle without touching the throttle until the rad fan comes on; this should reset the idle control. - Wayne

[dementedbrave]

thanks for the reply. I have the 10-40 oil in it right now, and just had the problem this morning. I do have a ballistic 8 cell lithium battery, which is 275 cca, and haven't had a problem with it.

-edit- just had a thought, maybe I need to let the battery warm up by leaving the key on for a little while. I will try this tomorrow morning. Also I could try putting in the original lead battery, never tried it on a cold day. That would narrow it down

[dementedbrave]

Tried to start it this morning, same thing. After it cranks for about a second the red oil pressure light comes on. After a few times it started up and ran fine.
When I turn my key on, the check engine light is on before I hit the starter. Is this normal? I am not sure if it has always done that. The check engine light has never come on while the engine is running though.

[apetrov1x5]

same problem here

[Wayne's Striple]

The lithium batteries don't like cold weather starting until the ions get revved up. That is why it starts on the second or third try, and is why I am using the strong Shorai18Ah model. http://www.ballisticparts.com/downlo...deo/video2.php The oil pressure light and check engine light won't turn off until the engine starts. With the Shorai, the 18Ah is the same size as the 12 and 14Ah models so no problem fitting. The Ballistic 12 cell would be a better choice for cold weather if it would fit cos it is a pain waiting for the Striple to go through the reset procedure before attempting starting again. Sometimes leaving the lights on for a minute or so before starting helps. IMO the standard recommended lithium battery is fine for warm climates but not for temps below 50F. Even the standard lead-acid battery loses a lot of cranking power in cold weather and gets worse the longer you crank it unlike a lithium battery which does the opposite. - Wayne

[Twism86]

Originally Posted by Wayne's Striple

Probably the the high viscosity oil which does thicken in cooler weather. You don't really need a 50W oil in a new bike, it just robs hp (I would only use it in a high mileage bike or for racing). Nothing to do with oil pressure. Check that the battery terminals are tight, but those OEM lead-acid batteries are marginal anyway cos the manufacturers use the smallest battery they can get away with. Get an 18Ah Shorai battery (lithium and 5 lbs lighter $190) and your starting problems are over for 10yrs. Also do a 10 min tune; start the bike from cold and let it idle without touching the throttle until the rad fan comes on; this should reset the idle control. - Wayne

Is the 10 min (or 12) tune a good idea now that the temps are dropping so the bike adjusts?

[Wayne's Striple]

Won't do any harm. I had a start and stall problem after I had my bike for a couple of months and it went away after I tried this. - Wayne

[Jimbo14]

the 12 minute idle test fixed my starting problems on my 2012 STR - give it a try.

[luka.vrscaj]

Same problem. Bought my street triple r 2010. couldnt start the bike even in summer. in the end, it was the fuel pump. Replaced under warranty.