2000 VFR 800 Won't Start

Just purchased a 2000 VFR 800 with 4468 original miles. I picked it up for $1,000.00 (hopefully a good deal).

The battery won't hold a charge. The bike won't start with the tender on the battery. It will turn over, but not fire. I know the original owner personally. She took very good care of the bike. It was running back in early February. Do you think it is just the battery, or should it at least fire with a jump? She parked it last fall with a full tank of gas.

What battery should I get to replace the dead one with?

Any other suggestions. I am a noob to motorcycles, but not to dirtbikes and atv's.

 

Congrats on your new bike. I'm sure you'll enjoy it once you get it going.

February is not that long ago. Was it running smoothly? How long was the battery charged before you tried it? How old is the battery? When she parked it last fall with the gas, was it treated? Bike stored in/out side?

Starting with the simple things is always best, IMO, but hopefully its just a battery that called it quits.

Batteries are like tires and oil - plenty to choose from and personal preference. But I have heard of several guys saying that Batteries Plus sells a decent replacement battery (can't recall the name - Yuasa maybe?) at a reasonable price.

Other things:

If she knows the bike well, was the R/R ever replaced (regulator/rectifier)? Not that it would go bad just sitting, but its a notorious problem with these bikes. Use the search function on this forum and you'll see..

 

$1000 for a 2000 vfr? I'd be all over a deal like that.

The bike has ridiculously low mileage so I'd assume the battery is original and probably toast by now. I'd start with that before messing with anything else. Pull it out and take it in to a local shop and they should be able to load test it and see if it's done.

Also a word of warning, with the mileage so low check the manufacturer date on the tires ASAP. You could very well be riding on decade old rubber.

 

When you turn the key to position #2 do hear a wizzzzzz sound coming from the tank? That sound is the fuel pump charging up fuel pressure. If you do no thear this then maybe your fuel pump fuse is blown. I would remove the plugs and clean and check the gaps, if they are fouled then no joy. If it started before then it will start again. Buy a new "gel" battery and you should be good.

 

WOW! Thanks for the super fast responses.

I will get a new battery. She had it on a tender jr. all winter.

I will check and see if I can hear the fuel pump go.

I am not sure if she treated the fuel or not.

It was stored in a heated out building. She said it ran well last time she started it.

Tires are 2 years old. Thanks for the heads up though.

Not sure about the (regulator/rectifier), but I will ask.

Thanks again. I hope to get it going soon. I am driving 86 miles one way to the office every day. This bike will be a huge help on the pocketbook.

 

So heres the skinny:

(4) new plugs, cleaned K&N and it is running fantastically!

The history of the bike:

She bought it in 2001 with 4056 miles. I bought it in 2011 with 4468 miles on it. She bought it, added helibars, K&N, upgraded seat with trunk. She took very good care of it!

I have a tank bag and tail bag on the way. I finish my BRC course this coming weekend. I am very excited!