Dead starter? STARTER may not be the problem

Bike won't start? Won't run at all?

Guys, the STARTER may not be the problem.

Some of our starter problems may not be starter problems after all (at least not starter housing or starter motor). Might be something as simple as loose leads.

My bike wouldn't start. Wouldn't turn over, battery was fine, then for no apparent reason the bike would start just fine. Took it to the shop, and they diagnosed it as a starter housing issue.

In the meantime, til my part came in, my mechanic showed me how to get it started by gently tugging on the starter wire while pushing the start button. Worked every time, until after they replaced the starter housing a couple weeks later (all under warranty, no questions asked, thank God). Then he and the Westen region Ducati rep started thinking starter motor. Ugh!

Well, ugh, until an hour later when they called me back to tell me it was simply a loose lead. A little slack, reconnected the lead, and a quick zip tie to minimize tension, and we're up and running again!

To quote, "the wire harness plug at the right bar switch connects to had a loose terminal."

That is great to hear. Yeah, I am hardpressed to believe the motor would go bad so easily, and it if did, it would usually create some burnout signatures either smoke, or work really slowly even with a good battery, rather than simply not turn one moment. JMO

I recall when I first got the bike it started within 4 seconds. Towards the end of wearing in and to date, it starts like a total champ no matter what the temp. I feel lucky with this bike!
Ride safe!

Mine tuned out to be a seized stater motor. Wish it were the lead. Lost the whole summer of riding since Ducati shuts down during the month of August.