BMW R1200RT/R1250RT Forum

HiI'm aware of and have read all the starting problem discussions here, but mine is a bit different ;-)
2007 R1200RT-P 99k km
Symptom:Press start button 1st time and it is like a flat battery - just grinds to a halt. (No strange sounds like grinding, clanking etc.)
Wait a few seconds and in most cases, it cranks well and starts normal. Every now and then, it takes a few goes - again like battery is flat.
Observations:

• Hot or cold engine - no difference
• Weather - Tropics! Australia HOT, damn hot
• New Fullriver HC20 battery - cable connectors clean and good connection
• Swapped starter relay for another (second hand one I had from one of my previous BMW cars - same model) - no change

Any ideas?
Thank you very much.
 

Just some more info and update:

• Lubricated the side stand - silicone spray
• Lubricated and cleaned the starter handlebar switch - silicone spray
• Adjusted the valves and endplay on rocker arms - they were pretty much on specifications anyway

and...
started 1st few times immediately
took it for a drive.
Same problem  :'(

Replace battery cables for new high capacity ones and recheck battery earth would be my suggestion. Hope this helps.


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Faulty starter motor?
This sounds pretty similar to a problem I had on my old 1100 RT.

I'm also voting for starter motor, fwiw.


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Thank you for all the replies.Strangely enough, it has started 1st time the last two days on every occasion. Could the valve adjustment have had such a big influence? They were very close to or on spec, before I adjusted them again.
If it starts failing again, I'll change the cables and then last resort import the expensive new starter to OZ.Thanks again.