Bandit 600 cutting out randomly

[dragstaar]

Hey all

Well, first off let me point out that this isn't the engine spluttering out sort of dying, this is a solid, instant cut out. The whole bike just dies. The lights go out, the dials die, and there is literally no sign of life whatsoever.

When i turn the key to the 'on' position, the dials usually do a sweep, but nothing. However, I take the positive terminal off the battery, reconnect it, and she starts absolutely fine, lghts are just as bright, no spluttering, and runs perfectly. Until suddenly...death, again (maybe about 5 miles on, but it really is sporadic and irregular)

Sometimes, the lights and stuff are on, and when i hit the starter, all i get is a faint 'click' noise, and all the lights die. totally.


Right, now i'll list i what i think its NOT

Its not the kill switch, because the kill switch off still leaves the other lights etc (neutral light, oil light) on, but these are not lit.

Its not fuel, theres plenty of fuel, and like i said before, its an immediate cut out and not a splutter. Besides, she starts and runs fine for ages after.

Its none of the other safety switches because she starts again after just disconnecting then reconnecting the positive terminal on the battery

The battery terminals seem all screwed up tight, theres not jiggling about. and they are relatively clean, albeit a bit discoloured. theres no sulphur looking deposits either

I do have an acumen cat1 alarm and immobiliser fitted, but i doubt thats the issue, because of the total dead nature of the bike when the problem kicks in. The immobiliser has never given me an issue when it comes to mobilising the bike. It responds to the button everytime. Also, this immobiliser was fitted by Hartgate Motorcycles (official honda dealer) in Mitcham, and I really trust them, and so does practically every biker around these here parts.

Any idea what this could be, Its worrying, because it just cuts out on me. It did it today in central london, and it makes me worry i'll get involved in an accident like this clicky <== Probably NSFW

[Syris the Indomitable]

Af first before I read further I thought ignition barel/wiring connections.

Then you said acumen cat1 alarm and immobiliser which made me think if this alarm is wired up, amongst other places via the ignition then this is likely to be the issue.

Then I read this which confermed what I thought!

[MinhDinh]

My boss recently had the same problem on his bike.

He ordered a new neutral switch and rectifier.

Not sure if that helps.
____________________
Hit the G spot.

[DAVE1952]

Hi dragstaar just try that black plug behind the headlight on the kill switch wire, every thing seems ok till you try the orange/black and orange/white wires from the kill switch,
the power back feeds through the starter switch and it all seems ok, but the wire brakes in that clip on the steering head,
if it is that dont put it back in the clip again.

[dragstaar]

Thanks for the replies guys.

My immobiliser is set to passive. So it only immobilises silently. I have to physically press the button to arm the alarm. Now, the reason i don't think it is that, i may be wrong, is because the entire bike dies. Usually when the bike is immobilised, the lights etc still work. But my issue that everything, absolutely everything. dies. even the neutral light and oil lights. When it gets going again, the trip meters are reset and the clock is reset too.

As for the rectifier and neutral switch, would this be an issue? remember, all i have to do to get her going again is to just disconnect and reconnect the battery, i'm not jiggling wires anywhere else.

And i don't think its the killswitch because like i said above, everything dies, not just the engine. The kill switch wouldn't do that would it?

[Syris the Indomitable]

I would go for alarm/battery issue too.

I think you could do with a new battery because your alarm is reacting accordingly with the state of the battery.

Also if the charging system and rectifier isn't working properly, changing for a new battery will obviously be a temporary solution because the faulty rectifier or alternator which isn't working properly will knock the alarm into sleep mode whilst your even riding the bike.

[dragstaar]

Once again, thanks for all the replies. I'll have to get a multimeter from somewhere, possibly a mate and check it. However, i'm pretty sure my battery is healthy, although i'm not sure about the rest of the circuit.

I took a scourer to the electrical terminals, and scrubbed all the discolouring right off, so they are nice and shiny, and this seems to have fixed it. The amount of riding time thats gone by, usually it would have done it about 4 times, but it hasn't. I'm not sure if what i did would have made a difference and this is just wishful thinking, but i'm probably going to ride with it and see what happens