My bike won't start?

Question

I'm having trouble with my bike it wants to start but just doesn't seem to kick over. The battery is less than a month old, I had it tested and it puts out 12.68V. Could it be the connectors are bad? It is a 91 Suzuki Katana 600GSXF. I'm a newbie so any help is appreciated!!!

Answer 1

Try the obvious first.  

1) Make sure the kill switch next to the throttle is switched to on.  Sometimes it gets bumped to the off position.

2) Make sure the fuel tap is turned to ON

3) Make sure it is in neutral

If these are all ok, try putting the kickstand up and pulling in the clutch while starting.  A bad Neutral switch or kickstand switch may be your problem.

Still not starting...pull the spark plugs and check them out for clean and for gap.  Check air filter.  Do you hear the fuel pump kick on when you hit the starter??

Hope these get you going in the right direction ;-}

Answer 2

The proper process to srating a bike is:

Turn key on

wait 30 seconds

engage choke fully

Put in neutral

Pull in clutch and hit start button.

It should start up and then idle high. As it warms up the idle speed will come down and you can then take the choke off and ride away.

By trying to start it over and over you are draining your battery. Push start it. Turn the key to the on position, put it in first gear, make sure the kill switch isn't in the off position, sitting on the bike, pull the clutch in and push it with your feet till you get a nice coast going. 2 or 3 MPH, next just release the clutch. The bike should start right up.

Answer 3

To rule out the battery, you could put it in first and roll down a hill and pop the clutch with the engine, gas, electrical, choke all on. If it doesn't start, it probably isn't the battery. Those of us from the kick start days used this trick a lot if we had trouble starting the bike. My driveway gets incline is steep enough for me to start my motorcycle this was.

Answer 4

well then ur screwed.  

Answer 5

Had it tested ? The voltage was measured? That's not a complete test and I suggest you get a complete test = auto part store, dealer, etc... Then you could rule out the battery - but I'd have the bikes charging/electrical system  checked and tested since this will determine more precisely where the trouble is. Regulator, stator, etc...

The connectors could be bad (wires and all) it is almost 18 years old but so could the charging system be as well.