A few rides ago I noticed that when putting the bike in Neutral, the neutral light was no longer coming on. This caused me to have to engage the clutch to start it in any gear, including neutral, and it would start every time with no issues. Now all of a sudden, I am running into an issue with the electric start itself. When I press the electric start button, it now seems to only work 5-10% of the time, and sometimes not at all. Unfortunately for me, the few times it didn't start have been when I was in the middle of nowhere. Has anyone had this issue before, and if so, any idea what needs to be done to resolve it? Thanks in Advance to anyone who can help.

 

There is a neutral switch somewhere.
I am thinking battery.... how old is it?
If it is making big clunking noises, you have mech problems.
Try and park on the top of a hill or ravine, helps with bump starting!

 

There are three "safety switches" to check - that keep the starter from energizing (Probably from corporate lawyers worried about someone suing after they unintentionally start the bike and losing control...):
1 - Neutral Switch, located on the same side cover your shift lever shaft sticks through. There should be a push-on wire connector on it. Grounding that wire should give you the neutral light if the bulb and circuit are working.
2 - Kick stand safety. It is mounted at the top of the stand and has wires running to it. (I bypassed that circuit by making it an "always closed circuit.")
3 - Clutch safety switch, which is a switch the clutch lever pushes on when released and is mounted up on the clutch perch.

They are all tied together in one way or another so those three items would be a good starting place to figure out where your losing your starter.

Good luck!

TC

 

This was it, thank you so much! The wire was grounded, but the connector itself was caked with dirt. I clean the bike after every ride, but couldn't see how dirty the connector was until I disconnected it. I will be riding this weekend thanks to you. I hope you are getting out yourself. Thanks again!!

 

Thanks for trying to help, It was the Neutral switch. Bump starting is how I got around this past Sunday, haha

 

Awesome!

 

SWEET! Glad that was an easy fix for ya!

TC