Bandit 1250 Starting Issue

[DJP]

Over the last week or so my Bandit has become reluctant to start from cold. The symptoms are:

1) The starter spins for longer than usual.
2) When it does start it makes a “Chugging” sound, as if it's running on three cylinders, which goes away after a few seconds and then it runs normally.
3) During start up the clocks reset to kph.

The 1250 is notorious for starter motor problems, and these symptoms are otherwise identical to a dead starter. However, I've fitted a brand new starter and it's still doing it (and I've stripped the old starter and can't find anything wrong with it). The spark plugs and air filter were changed 1,000 miles ago.

That leaves me thinking it's the battery. However, my smart charger shows the battery having a full charge. I'm also reluctant to blame the battery as it's only 4 years old and the bike gets used every day and I've never had an OE battery go bad this early. (I'm not saying that it isn't the battery, but...)

The bike starts fine when it's hot and otherwise functions normally.

Any ideas please?
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Suzuki Bandit 1250
https://deejayp999.atwebpages.com/index.html
That's http not https

[Easy-X]

Sounds like the battery to me. A battery might charge and show the right voltage but until you put it under stress i.e. starting you have no idea how good it is really. You could try comparing the voltage drop on cold start vs. hot start.

Certainly the mph/kph reset thing lends itself to the voltage dropping substantially on engine turnover.
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[Kawasaki Jimbo]

Agree.
Compare starting using jump leads.

[DJP]

Thanks guys, it's looking like the battery.

What's a good brand these days?
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Suzuki Bandit 1250
https://deejayp999.atwebpages.com/index.html
That's http not https

[jeffyjeff]

Poor man's load test: Check the no-load voltage of the battery. Leave the meter leads connected and check again while the engine is cranking. Cranking voltage under 11 volts is questionable; cranking voltage under 9.5 volts definitely indicates the battery is shot.
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History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

[JackButler]

I've recently hurt my head on a quad bike battery that my Optimate checked out as perfect. Thinking it must be a problem elsewhere I wasted a lot of time trying to sort it.

Replaced the battery & hey guess what, it seems smart chargers ain't all that smart after all.
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I clean my guns with the tears of the snivelling, left wing scum.

[Fisty]

[oilyrag]

Yuasa batteries are quality

[A100man]

Optimates - meh.
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[Pete.]

Battery for sure. Mine has gone really lazy since the cold snap. Looking to get a ne woke shortly.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[blurredman]

[doggone]

If you can keep your bike on an optimate or similar whenever it's not used for a week or more it makes a vast difference to lifespan with ten years or more being attainable.
Letting them get to the point where they barely turn the engine over fast enough soon results in a viscous circle of decline.
Obviously not everyone can do it for practical reasons but if you can, fit a battery tender type lead to connect easily, and keep it topped up.

[Easy-X]

That's a good shout. I'm going to do some wiring stuff on my bike soon, good opportunity to add a trickle charge socket.
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Royal Enfield Continental GT 535, Husqvarna Vitpilen 401, Yamaha XSR700, Honda Rebel, Yamaha DT175, Suzuki SV650 (loan) Fazer 600, Keeway Superlight 125, 50cc turd scooter

[MCN]

Battery life 4 yrs is good. 5 at a push (no pun).
Time for a new battery.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[Kris]

[doggone]

[oilyrag]

[MCN]