[Odin]

Well, it has happened twice now.

I try starting the bike normally, push the starter button, and nothing happens. No noise, nothing.

I try flipping the kill switch, shifting into 1st and back into neutral, flipping up the side stand, pulling in the clutch, double checked the gas cap and cover, but it doesn't do anything.

After about a minute of messing around with everything, it just starts normally.

The first time was when I stopped during a long ride to check on the FNG riding with me, the next time I stopped for gas. It worked normally for another 30 or so starts before it happened again.

It's under warranty, but the Honda dealer near me probably won't do anything if it doesn't do it when they try.

Does anybody have a clue?

 

[KUGO]

Is it possible that on those few occasions when it happened that you turned the key, ready to go, hit the start button and... absolutely nothing; BECAUSE you accidentally turned the key to ACCESSORY without realizing it, and then, when you panic, one of the things you do is to turn the key back off and then try it again, and you put in the START position because now you're really paying attention, and "voila" she starts right up?? And don't get snide and ask me how I guessed that, because that would just be rude! (And it only happens when there are other people around. Dang!)

 

[OX-34]

If I recall correctly there's a "road test" video on YouTube that features the non-starting accessory position switch.

Early on I did that to myself a couple of times. It's so subtle that even turning the key off and back on and then it starting correctly I didn't realise what was wrong.

 

[Odin]

The first thing I did was check to see if it was set to acc. It wasn't.

 

[jfro5867]

Are there any other symptoms? For example does the dash come on and light up to cycle through? Do the lights work? Is there any sound at all when you turn the key? You should hear the fuel injection pump prime itself and pressurise the system for a start. If the bike runs well in every other respect the first thing i would check is the battery and the earthing. Even if they look tight i would disconnect the battery terminals and give them a quick clean. It sounds to me like a bad earth or a loose terminal rather than anything serious or sinister.

 

[markmine]

Wondering if you figured out the problem?

I had the same problem last night about 10 miles from home. Tried to start the bike - hit the starter button and nothing. Turned key off and back to on position, dash lit up, lights are on, hit the starter button and nothing. Bike was in neutral, I shifted between 1, N and 2 then back to N, pulled in clutch, put up kick stand hit the starter button and nothing. Turned off key, turned back on hit starter and nothing. Turned key off, back on hit the starter and it started normally. Got home, shut off bike, waited a minute and tried to start, no problem it started normally.

I may have put the key in acc the first time, but definitely not the the other times. I stopped for gas on my way out and no problems. It was cold last night, but not too bad. I just got the bike new (leftover) and it only has about 1k miles so it’s under warranty. This is very strange…

 

[troy]

I had the same exact symptoms and it was the crankshaft sensing device. Replaced under warranty. One and only problem in the last 10k.

 

[Patrick L]

I read on the other site- valkyrieriders where people were having right side handlebar switch contact corrosion issues from water entry with washing bike-Seams they are not sealed from water entry very good. I plan on putting something on mine when I install my heated grips soon-If possible

 

[George63]

I think we are seeing symptoms of corrosion on sensors/ switches from these sitting in a warehouse for 4 years - mine was the high beam switch not functioning till I worked it 10 times, now it is fine

 

[Odin]

Thanks for your replies. The bike does everything normally, I can hear the fuel pump, but sometimes it just doesn't start. It has happened twice in the last 300 miles. I think I'll take it to the dealer since it is under warranty, at least the issue will be documented. It has happened when it was 90 degrees out and when it was 70 degrees, both days sunny and dry. I plan on taking a video with my phone the next time it happens to show the dealer.

 

[George63]

lemon law is ??

search shows yes and no for cycles

 

[shrubbo]

I think we are seeing symptoms of corrosion on sensors/ switches from these sitting in a warehouse for 4 years - mine was the high beam switch not functioning till I worked it 10 times, now it is fine

Yeah had the same though mine was from riding all weather all the time.



Also...


I have had the self cancelling indicators not cancel randomly on one side but fine on the other.



I fixed both problems with spraying in stuff like CRC and RP7.

 

[Hot Rod]

The starter button on LOTS of Honda bikes have been trouble for years. A little contact cleaner will fix em till it will need to took apart & cleaned if it ends up being the culprit ........

 

[Odin]

Okay, yesterday I didn't hear the fuel pump when it wouldn't start. This time the check engine light illuminated briefly a couple of times but didn't stay on. I'm definitely going to let the dealer handle this one. I think there's more than one issue going on.

 

[watertowerman]

Is it possible that on those few occasions when it happened that you turned the key, ready to go, hit the start button and... absolutely nothing; BECAUSE you accidentally turned the key to ACCESSORY without realizing it, and then, when you panic, one of the things you do is to turn the key back off and then try it again, and you put in the START position because now you're really paying attention, and "voila" she starts right up?? And don't get snide and ask me how I guessed that, because that would just be rude! (And it only happens when there are other people around. Dang!)

This has happened to me 3 or 4 times. Easy to do.

 

[JGF6C]

Okay, yesterday I didn't hear the fuel pump when it wouldn't start. This time the check engine light illuminated briefly a couple of times but didn't stay on. I'm definitely going to let the dealer handle this one. I think there's more than one issue going on.

No fuel pump noise = kill switch circuit. Try it, turn the key on w/ kill switch off and you don't get fuel pump noise. Any other start interlock (kick stand, clutch, etc) prevent start but fuel pump is still heard.
Check engine light illuminations are engine codes. For the GL1800, the codes are in long and short flashes. Try to pay attention to the sequence of long and short flashes. If you post the sequence, somebody ought to be able to tell you what it is.
The dealer is an excellent option.

 

[Courtnet]

Anyone figure this out yet? Currently experiencing the exact problem

 

[Big PG]

Been happening on mine recently...cuts out for no reason when I have been stopped. Spoke to my Honda dealer, told me to turn the key off, flick the kill switch on and off a few times, then key on, started no problem. Issue apparently dirt on the contacts of the switch. Going for a service this week and will be getting cleaned, see how it goes.

 

[KurNorock]

This has only happened to me once, but I figured out it was because the heel of my foot was pushing the kickstand down...

 

[Rich Wentz]

This has only happened to me once, but I figured out it was because the heel of my foot was pushing the kickstand down...

I was going to say check the kickstand sensor. Notorious proble Moto Guzzis had in the early 2000s.