I’ve had my current 2010 reg but I think it’s 2008 bike (black engine) Ulysses for just about a year 1 previous owner and had only done 600 miles from new when I bought it, It had a new battery and full recommissioning service at an HD dealer prior to the sale.
Bike has 2000 mile on the clock now.
It has always been a lazy starter, when the starter button is pushed it turns over to compression then hesitates for a split second as if its not got enough cranking power in the battery then it goes over the compression stroke and normally starts (the battery is the correct rating but of some nondescript name). I keep the bike on an optimate so I assume it’s at full charge all the time.
Yesterday I took the bike out for the first time in 5 weeks, every time the starter pressed it stuttered whilst turning over as if the relay was disengaging, started every time but now has engine management light on (yellow).
Could it be the relay giving up because of the previous issue with hesitation on compression overloading the relay, is the fix a new relay,if so where’s the best place to get one and how do I get the management light to turn off .

I have an almost identical issue with my XB12. Seems to turn over fine when the engines warm though

Out of interest, which HD dealer did it go to for the service? When I asked Norwich HD about mine they werent interested in touching a Buell

Think all xb,s do this . Mine does and so did first one i had

try cleaning your frame earths

_________________
Feros Ferio

The previous owner had it done Pryor to offering it for sale, he was Surrey based I have the invoice but not to hand I do recall they charged him £1700 for the privilege though the mileage reading was 540 from new. WOW

I’m thinking about looking for a quality battery but will check the earths as suggested by nutah

Any ideas how to clear the engine management light please guys.

You could try weatherlys Harleston they have a good mechanic and sell lots of HD and a few Buells

on dealer servicing.
Most XB's do the hesitation thing on starting but sounds like your battery is fucked.
Read the trouble codes....see the ''how to'' section but in order to turn the light off you'll need EcmSpy ....if the light is on permanently, you have a current issue which will need sorting first.

_________________
Mithered ta death.
92 MB
96 S2T
98 S1W
00 M2
01 X1
03 P3
10 CR

Thank you Maz
Any one have a recommendation as to the best battery for the XB1200.
I will try to buy a lead (have messaged Pash to see if he has any for sale) and try to get the ECMspy on to our laptop .

I've never got less than 8 years out of the oe ones.

Simon
by OE do you mean Harley Davidson battery's.

Yes.

I replaced the original battery on my '09 XT last June. £125 from Warrs with a 10% discount.

I do use an optimate but it isn't connected constantly. The battery was fine for two weeks away in Ireland in 2018 and was only replaced as a precaution prior to a similar trip in 2019.

Fitted a new WestCo battery tonight, now no hesitation on compression spins right over without the slightest hint of hesitation, just need to sort the engine management light now, so need to find a lead to buy and will have to try downloading ECMspy and learn how use it.

Checked earths all seem fine clean tight and showing signs of fresh Vaseline.

Having had the loan of an ECM lead from Jazz and downloaded the spy software, for the first time ever I plugged a motorcycle into my laptop.
The fault code I found is 21-5-1 AMC stuck open.
I had a read up on this and now sort of understand the problem and how I need to fix it. by ticking a box on the diagnostic section, fingers crossed I get it right.
my workshop is not within range of my wifi, do I need the laptop connected to the internet to perform this setting change ? if so I will need to bring the bike closer to the house.

No.

_________________
Mithered ta death.
92 MB
96 S2T
98 S1W
00 M2
01 X1
03 P3
10 CR

Thank you Maz
will attempt to find my way through the software tonight.