[austinlh]

I just bought my bike yesterday. I test drove it and then drove it for about 90 miles before we loaded it into a truck because it was too cold and we didn't come prepared for cold weather. It ran great for these 90 miles and we stopped and restarted the bike 3 times during that 90 miles. I got it back to my house and unloaded it from the truck to ride and started it up. It was running a little rough and i moved it out of the way and it died. Hasent been able to start since. It is turning over but it just wont fire. I've killed the battery from trying to start it but i recharged it using a trickle charger. Now it will sputter just a little bit before i run the battery down trying to start it again. Thanks in advance for the help.

[slickwill]

When you turn the key from off to on do you hear the fuel pump priming the system? You should hear a high pitched whirring noise for about 1-2 sec coming from under the tank. That is a starting place for checking fuel delivery. Check all fuses. Look in the gas tank, is there any clear wet stuff?

[austinlh]

Fuses are good. Fuel pump is priming. I put more gas in it today just make sure i wasent out. Even though i knew i wasent because i filled it up and then only went that 90 miles. But i do think i see a white film on the top of the gas. Is this what you are reffereing to?

[hotsonhk]

try to run with it in second gear and let the clutch out smoothly while turning the throttle a little, then jump on. see if it starts that way.

[austinlh]

I said it would sputter before i ran the battery down when i started. Just to clarify it turns over great and the "sputter" i'm reffering to is the enging just almost firing up.

[slickwill]

But i do think i see a white film on the top of the gas. Is this what you are reffereing to?

No, I was just referring to gas, because hey, you never know? White film on top of the gas doesn't sound good. I'd try to siphon that gas out maybe. I bought a siphon from walmart for $2.97 just last month. They were with the gas cans and stuff like that.

Then refill and add some FI cleaner.

The suggestion about push starting it would be okay also I think. The manual says not to push start the bike but I have done it with every motorcycle I've ever ridden at one time or another. When I bought my F4i the battery was dead and I had my wife push me

You can spray some starting fluid into the bike and see if it will fire up then. That will let you know if your problem is fuel or spark. Just be very careful with the starting fluid. Or you can pull a spark plug and test your spark. Pulling the plugs on the F4i absolutely blows though. You may be able to just pull the cap off of the plug and insert a tester there. I've used a screw driver before for that job but never on the F4i. You can stick it into the plug boot then hold it near a piece of metal and watch for the spark to arc between the spark plug and the metal.

One way or another you need to determine if the problem is fuel or spark.

[rokitt51]

change the plugs. i have read about putting bikes on trucks and trailers in the wind, somehow causing the bike not to start due to the wind in the ram air. Or something or another. try and run with it and pop the clutch.

[spidermaster]

I actually had a similar problem on my F3. I had it on a trailer and when it got back it wouldn't stay started. Turns out the sparkplug cap was jostled loose a bit. After it was securely on it started up perfectly.
Dont know if it'll help but good luck.

[austinlh]

Well it sounds like the spark plugs are the most likely culprit. I tried to get to them tonight but like someone said....it freaking blows getting to them.....i'm gonna try to do it later this week sometime

[HiLi_Psyclez]

its a pain to change the plugs but it sounds like that could be your problem from what ive read.

Have you tried to pop start it?

[austinlh]

yall were right. the spark plugs were ridiculously hard to get out but after a few hours i finally did it. i posted a picture of the spark plugs in my gallery when i got them out because i'm wondering if this is normal wear and tear on them. from the research i have done here is what i've figured out

the tip isnt rounded.....i'm not sure about the gap because i dont have a tool to measure it (its 3:00a.m.) and i dont feel like going to wal-mart.....the question i have is about the little bit of oil on the spark plugs. i've read that it is bad to have oil on them but everything that i read the plugs were completely covered in them. Mine only have a light coating on them. the top part of the plug where the gap doesnt have any oil on it. It just has carbon on it, but in my opinion it doesnt have very much carbon on it......i really appreciate the help. I'm by no means a mechanic. This is my first time to work on an engine at all.....i'm just learning as i go.

[austinlh]

well i finally fixed it....changed the spark plugs and it started right up....thanks for all the help

[slickwill]

Glad to hear that is the only problem it had. Enjoy it. Ride safe. Wear your kit.