Suzuki GZ125 Marauder 2009 starting issue

[Greyfell]

Hi all, new here looking for advice please

My son recently bought this bike as running (it was running day of purchase) but since then has failed to start on the electric start, we can start it by running down the road and bump starting it then it would start the next day but the day after it was back to needing bump start.

We changed battery as it seemed a bit weak but again would start for a day but next day not unless bump started, we changed starter motor as there seemed a lot of play in original one and changed the starter solenoid... needed bump start and ran rough but restarted fine after... tried a few times and ran fine, but 12 hours later and the thing wont start 

sound like engine is trying to start (did take video on mobile phone but can't seem to upload it here???) any ideas as he has managed about 20 miles riding in the three weeks we have had it and getting near end of warranty

Do not have tools or equipment/knowledge to deep dive testing things 

I assume spark at plug is ok as bump starts as is fuel supply for same reason there in ends my knowledge... its his first bike and he is now rapidly losing interest and faith in it

[_amw_]

Sounds a bit like the bike isn't managing to charge the battery.

 

Do you have a multimeter?  If you do then I'd suggest charging the battery, starting the bike and then measuring the battery voltage while the bike is running.  It should be (roughly) somewhere between 13.0 and 14.5 volts when the bike is running.  If it is much less than this then you probably have a charging problem.

 

If you don't have a multimeter then try starting the bike and then turning the headlight on.  If you rev the bike then the headlight should get brighter, if it doesn't get brighter you might have a charging problem.

[RideWithStyles]

In order of likely:

Reg rectifier - possibly looks like it works but internally put part of it has failed.

your stator has failed.

wiring/connectors/ground id in poor condition.

[Hairsy]

Maybe you could put your video on YouTube and then post a link.

 

When you say it won't start, is the engine not turning over properly or is it turning fast but not starting?

 

Assuming it's not turning over properly then, given that you have a new battery, I'd suggest that the first thing to look for is a battery drain. To test for this, first make sure the battery is charged. If you have to charge it up then wait 30 minutes after disconnecting the charger. Then disconnect the earth (negative) from the battery. Let the battery sit for 10 minutes and check the voltage with a voltmeter. Then reconnect the earth, keep the ignition OFF and check the voltage again.

 

If there's any significant drop in voltage after connecting the earth then the bike is draining the battery and that's where you want to start looking. Post back here for advice but, in summary, the first thing to do is to start pulling fuses to find the circuit that's causing problems.

 

If there was no significant drop in voltage after reconnecting earth then get the bike started again and check the voltage when it's running. You'd expect this to be 14+ volts above 2,000rpm. If you're not getting this then RideWithStyles' suggestions are what you need to be looking at.

 

[Greyfell]

Many thanks for the replies been busy weekend so will start looking into the suggestions

[JRH]

If it is still in warranty take it back let them sort it.