KLR's

[Conrad]

Having a problem starting the KLR on these cold AM's. Havent had any trouble in the past winters. The starter disengages after a turn or two and there for the bike wont start. Once the temp comes up to the upper thirties it is no problem and she'll start right off with very few cranks. Honestly think I could kick start it when it was cold, it starts that easy. The darn starter just kicks out before the thing can fire.
Anyone have any ideas? Is there something I can clean replace or kick? Unfortunately keeping the poor thing inside is not an option as my back porch isnt big enough to park a KLR in. Darn it anyway...
Any input will be appreciated.
Pat

[safiri]

I don't have a KRL so take this advice accordingly ...

Are you sure your battery is fully charged and/or the battery is in good condition? My guess is the battery is going bad.

My thought is that if the voltage (and current) drops low enough the starter won't be spinning fast enough to throw the drive gear into the driven gear that turns the motor over. Or the starter motor will just stop as there isn't enough energy behind the electrons to turn the electric motor.

Hook up a voltmeter to the battery when you attempt to start it. If the voltage goes much below ?11? I would have some doubt about the battery.

The lower the temperature the lower the voltage and the slower the chemical reaction that produces the current of electrons.

[BeemerBill]

Conrad, What weight oil do you have in it ? Like most, probably 20w50, and if it is in an unheated garage, most will have trouble starting. The newer, very close tolerance engines of today, really do not require the heavier oil like the older engines did (I know I'm going to start something here). In fact most manufacturers actually call for 10w30 oil now-a-days. Try some 10w30 or 10w40 oil and see if that helps during the colder weather. If you already have that in the engine, I would agree with checking the battery. Hope it helps.

[Tye]

Those were my two guesses.

[safiri]

If you are going to change out the oil, spend some extra cash and get either:
Mobil 1 15W-50 OR
Castrol Syntec 5W-50.

I don't believe that either is EC (energy conserving) so clutch slippage isn't an issue. I run either in my KTM LC4 400 and BMW F650. Both of those bikes I ride year round. The BMW as low as 6 oF!

Both are fully synthetic and are wide range in viscosity. Two quarts will be $10-12 and the protections will be a lot better than with a dino 5-30 or similar. AND you can keep this oil in the MC in the summer as well.

[Tye]

Those are good. I always used Kawichem in mine and had no problems.