your supposed to use the choke underneath the tank when starting cold. I usually blip the starter button a couple times within 20 seconds and then go to fire it up and it does every time. I also noticed upgrading my stator and adding a antigravity battery made it much easier to cold start.
Cant go wrong with a better battery but, you missed an important part of FI starting procedure. Dab the starter button to prime the fuel pump. Then attempt cranking. Needs fuel pressure at the injector to start
Lithium batteries are much lighter but have this issue when cold. KTM have just given you the right technique in the manual minus a step mentioned below. Hit the starter button for a second to get the fuel pump to prime . Wait for the fuel pump to finish then go at it. I had a Husaberg FE350 that was hard to start. We checked the valves, injector and battery. In the end it was the starter motor had run its course and wasn't spinning faster enough. SSB are the better Lithium battery in my opinion but when KTM's are maintained exactly as per the manual it will run at its optimum. If your bike has a few kms (more than about 6-7000) I'd be keeping an eye on that starter motor depending on how its ridden of course. Mine got about 12000kms before it got as lazy as your bike.
Hey DOL I have a 2015 KTM 350 which has an agm battery tiny like the size you have. It has a fast idle button on the carb which you pull out. I have found the best way to start when cold is to blip the throttle once then hit the start button just enough to engage the electrics then press the starter and 9 out of 10 times it fires straight up. Never give it any throttle. Anyhow looks like you have fixed your problem. Like your work on your channel keep it up. Cheers Martin
Had the lithium alternative on my Aprilia which was shite in winter (Toowoomba). OK in warm weather. I have now stuck with a lead acid GM battery, cheaper and more reliable in cold climates. CCA needed was above 240 for the 750 V twin.
I have the same problem with lithium batteries - but my bike has a kick start - so once I’ve kicked it over (usually no more than twice) it starts no worries. 10 seconds at most.
That's def not normal. If an injected bike hasn't been started for a while I will hit the starter for about 1 sec to activate fuel pump. Wait for the fuel pump to stop, then start it.
Thank you for the video. Explained a lot well for me. Just out of interest, how has the SSB battery gone over the long term? Still start well now in cold conditions?
Wow..you shouldn't need that high and amperage to start such a small engine.. I would start looking at fueling to the injector. It's sounds like there is not power to the fuel system due to voltage draw being so high... The 70 deg HUSABERG has some strange issues like that. It need correct fuel pressure to fire it up. A couple of jabs on the starter they start up no problem it also was inky in the morning...
in UK i imagine it is cooler here than there , we just had -10c through winter - click in my yellow button, tap the start button to arm the injectors and you hear it, wait about 2 secs: hit start and inside 3 secs bam ! My 500 exc is a 2019 with 4k on it, same battery since new..... eh oh: a better battery is always good
Leaving the ignition on with lights running is enough to warm up a Li battery. Although now everything is LED, it doesn't work as well. Good move with the bigger CCA capacity. Shouldn't need to do it, but hey !! It's a competition bike. Not a commuter.
my 2015 fe501/vortex started up just fine, no choke, 400hrs.. and my 2021 exc500/GET needs choke every time..BUT its easily fires up, 1st try..stock battery, 110hrs now...usa california.
Those instructions from manual are over the top and you end up sitting around. When it's below 8degC I tap the button as I unload the bike, tap it again once pants/Boots on then it's usually good to go once iam too. I mean tap too lucky to roll the motor over once or twice. No waiting around then.
You clearly have other issues than the battery. My 2019 501 is now at 700hours and 40000km. Never refused to start at temperature way colder than 20 degrees and I never use the cold start. Stock battery still in it. I work on these bikes every day and I would start with a fuel pressure test and injector cleaning. A tight valve can also cause hard start. How old is the plug. Also, motocell is not the stock battery.
KTM moved Husky/KTM production to China. Its increasingly hard to import China batteries to other countries due to regulatory issues. Thus, they put a crappy battery in the bike to comply. LiPo batteries do not charge below 35f degrees. They need a heater in the battery to function below 25f degrees. Yes, you can be riding in the cold and your battery is not using the alternator to recharge... All depends on the air temp. Expensive LiPo batteries have built in heaters. The heater actually consumes power, from the battery itself...Causing other starting issues. Getting a better battery is the way to go. My peers just dont ride in the cold... KTM/Husky riders miss more ride days....
So finally, in all honesty, it was not the battery, was it? Mine starts effortless in cold conditions although the engine does not turn quicker while pushing on the start button. BTW: 5 seconds cranking is 5 seconds, not 2, if you really want to apply procedures. When I do not use the bike for some time, I first hit the start button a short time to prime gasoline in the pump, and then only I crank it.
Turn up your idle wait 5-10 not 30. You said you wait 30 for the battery to get into service temp. Well that would only take 30 seconds not one minute or minute and a half or 2 minutes etc. Smarten up run that battery to the ground then get a new one that’s better Don’t have a problem in the Rockies of bc canada
Its not rocket science. In cold conditions tip the bike to the left to get the clutch basket out of cold thick oil. Also match your oil viscocity to the temp conditions. And fit the correct CCA battery...seems your dealer replaced your old failing battery with a substandard replacement.
Putting it in the manual even, may require multiple starts, fuck right off with that, make a bike that starts every time. It’s such a blatant cheapskate move it reminds me of some of Apple’s frustrating decisions
your supposed to use the choke underneath the tank when starting cold. I usually blip the starter button a couple times within 20 seconds and then go to fire it up and it does every time. I also noticed upgrading my stator and adding a antigravity battery made it much easier to cold start.
Cant go wrong with a better battery but, you missed an important part of FI starting procedure. Dab the starter button to prime the fuel pump. Then attempt cranking. Needs fuel pressure at the injector to start
Precisely!
Shortest 5 seconds in history! SSB batteries are the goods
Yeah each attempt wasn't even 3 sec lol
Lithium batteries are much lighter but have this issue when cold. KTM have just given you the right technique in the manual minus a step mentioned below. Hit the starter button for a second to get the fuel pump to prime . Wait for the fuel pump to finish then go at it. I had a Husaberg FE350 that was hard to start. We checked the valves, injector and battery. In the end it was the starter motor had run its course and wasn't spinning faster enough. SSB are the better Lithium battery in my opinion but when KTM's are maintained exactly as per the manual it will run at its optimum. If your bike has a few kms (more than about 6-7000) I'd be keeping an eye on that starter motor depending on how its ridden of course. Mine got about 12000kms before it got as lazy as your bike.
if you keep it garaged keep it on a trickle charger that will help maintain the temp from getting too low.
Hey DOL
I have a 2015 KTM 350 which has an agm battery tiny like the size you have. It has a fast idle button on the carb which you pull out. I have found the best way to start when cold is to blip the throttle once then hit the start button just enough to engage the electrics then press the starter and 9 out of 10 times it fires straight up. Never give it any throttle. Anyhow looks like you have fixed your problem. Like your work on your channel keep it up.
Cheers Martin
I had the same problem and it was my in tank fuel filter.
Had the lithium alternative on my Aprilia which was shite in winter (Toowoomba). OK in warm weather. I have now stuck with a lead acid GM battery, cheaper and more reliable in cold climates. CCA needed was above 240 for the 750 V twin.
I have the same problem with lithium batteries - but my bike has a kick start - so once I’ve kicked it over (usually no more than twice) it starts no worries.
10 seconds at most.
My 18’ fe450 starts up in a second every time, even after not riding it for a month
That's def not normal. If an injected bike hasn't been started for a while I will hit the starter for about 1 sec to activate fuel pump. Wait for the fuel pump to stop, then start it.
Thank you for the video. Explained a lot well for me. Just out of interest, how has the SSB battery gone over the long term? Still start well now in cold conditions?
My friends Yamaha YZ had the same problem, same fix.
Do not push in the yellow button start faster when not activated .. (run a husky 450 fe) the button works when engine is half warm..
Wow..you shouldn't need that high and amperage to start such a small engine.. I would start looking at fueling to the injector. It's sounds like there is not power to the fuel system due to voltage draw being so high... The 70 deg HUSABERG has some strange issues like that. It need correct fuel pressure to fire it up. A couple of jabs on the starter they start up no problem it also was inky in the morning...
in UK i imagine it is cooler here than there , we just had -10c through winter - click in my yellow button, tap the start button to arm the injectors and you hear it, wait about 2 secs: hit start and inside 3 secs bam ! My 500 exc is a 2019 with 4k on it, same battery since new.....
eh oh: a better battery is always good
Leaving the ignition on with lights running is enough to warm up a Li battery. Although now everything is LED, it doesn't work as well. Good move with the bigger CCA capacity. Shouldn't need to do it, but hey !! It's a competition bike. Not a commuter.
that looked exhausting, lol! ever try starting a wr400f or an xr650r?
My xr650R starts on first kick. You need a bigger pilot jet. One size up from stock !!
I am here in northern Montana and have no problems with a good lithium battery.
Exactly right, had the same problem
Good to see someone with the same problem. I thought I was going crazy!
I sure wish Husky would bring back the white frames!
my 2015 fe501/vortex started up just fine, no choke, 400hrs.. and my 2021 exc500/GET needs choke every time..BUT its easily fires up, 1st try..stock battery, 110hrs now...usa california.
Thanks - fixed my #@*%# starting problem too! New SSB Powersport with 220CCA :)
That was like 2-3 seconds and you have a stopwatch in you hand
Just crack the throttle while cranking, it'll fire right up.
I live in Scotland most of the year it would be too cold
Those instructions from manual are over the top and you end up sitting around. When it's below 8degC I tap the button as I unload the bike, tap it again once pants/Boots on then it's usually good to go once iam too. I mean tap too lucky to roll the motor over once or twice. No waiting around then.
Give the starter one blip to prime the fuel pump. Then use the choke. it'll start.
You clearly have other issues than the battery. My 2019 501 is now at 700hours and 40000km. Never refused to start at temperature way colder than 20 degrees and I never use the cold start. Stock battery still in it. I work on these bikes every day and I would start with a fuel pressure test and injector cleaning. A tight valve can also cause hard start. How old is the plug. Also, motocell is not the stock battery.
Thanks for sharing!
I appreciate detailed videos, but 10 minutes to say “stronger battery solved the issue”? ;)
KTM moved Husky/KTM production to China. Its increasingly hard to import China batteries to other countries due to regulatory issues. Thus, they put a crappy battery in the bike to comply.
LiPo batteries do not charge below 35f degrees. They need a heater in the battery to function below 25f degrees. Yes, you can be riding in the cold and your battery is not using the alternator to recharge... All depends on the air temp. Expensive LiPo batteries have built in heaters. The heater actually consumes power, from the battery itself...Causing other starting issues. Getting a better battery is the way to go. My peers just dont ride in the cold... KTM/Husky riders miss more ride days....
So finally, in all honesty, it was not the battery, was it? Mine starts effortless in cold conditions although the engine does not turn quicker while pushing on the start button. BTW: 5 seconds cranking is 5 seconds, not 2, if you really want to apply procedures. When I do not use the bike for some time, I first hit the start button a short time to prime gasoline in the pump, and then only I crank it.
This is actually 510.9cc 😉
Just switch the Lithium battery out an AGM battery.....solved
Yep, I upgraded battery to a higher CCA.
Turn up your idle wait 5-10 not 30. You said you wait 30 for the battery to get into service temp. Well that would only take 30 seconds not one minute or minute and a half or 2 minutes etc. Smarten up run that battery to the ground then get a new one that’s better Don’t have a problem in the Rockies of bc canada
Its not rocket science. In cold conditions tip the bike to the left to get the clutch basket out of cold thick oil. Also match your oil viscocity to the temp conditions. And fit the correct CCA battery...seems your dealer replaced your old failing battery with a substandard replacement.
I was thinking the same thing. Even a slightly thicker grade of oil can be a problem...
It appeared to me he counted 3 seconds on each start
Each time you only held the starter button for 3 seconds only
Ahh your 5 seconds were more like 3 or 4, give the bike a chance.
It's taking time to get the fuel
Putting it in the manual even, may require multiple starts, fuck right off with that, make a bike that starts every time.
It’s such a blatant cheapskate move it reminds me of some of Apple’s frustrating decisions
I know! Wtf! Never had this with any other bike I have owned. Even other KTMs!
Welcome to ktm😊
Slow starter