Hi when I first got my 999 it was a reluctant starter but a new battery and some new cables (from you know who of course.) sorted it. Now I have accidently aquired an Aprilia RSV1000R and have similar issues. The difference is the 999 now puts out a healthy 14.2 vollts when running whilst the ape is only 13.2. Do you think this is a poor battery and/or crap cables issue (which is easily fixed) or a more serious charging problem?
Postmaster, charging issue, probably regulator, they are routinely set to provide max output around 14.5v with normal operating range of 13.6-14.2 for the majority of the rev range/engine speed although that may reduce after a long ride. For interest what is the battery voltage in the morning before you switch on the ignition
I have to turn ignition on to get the voltage on dash. Do you mean I should check it with a volt meter with ignition off? To complicate matters a previous owner has fitted uprated bulbs which unlike the 999 cannot be turned off. I think these along with an alarm and tracker are not helping matters.
PM, the reading should be taken with a meter across the battery posts with the ignition off and is affected by ambient temperature. If your voltage is 13.2 engine running with the lights on then that is not so bad but again the reading should be across the battery posts with a meter, this time with the engine running. Shame you cant turn the lights off as they could pull the voltage down quite a bit. Also you should see some variation in voltage as the bike is revved and it can change quite a bit at lower revs/tickover
