My 999 is a bit opposed to a quick start when it's cold, especially below 50 degrees. And since I had the 1038cc overbore kit and HC pistons (13.5:1) installed hard starting has been exacerbated some. Plus the faster it starts the less wear and tear on internally parts. There is a trick which has worked fairly well suggested by TomTom. You hold the throttle 1/2 open and allow the engine to crank 4 times. After the 4th crank, kill the engine and wait 1 minute. Then start the bike normally. Works very well. If it doesn't I've found the last few times that I've attached a jumper box to my battery it's fired immediately, w/o it just cranks over and over. I use a PEAK 600 amp jumper box and simply attach it to my + and - YUASA terminals. Start normally and it fired immediately !! IMO the battery is the issue w/ these big L-Twins. Even a new or fully charged used battery strains to start these engines. I think it's more to do w/ lack of space and fitting a battery not up to the power of starting these engines than anything else as when using a jump box it fires w/in 2 cranks.
On my 999 it take less than a 1/2 minute to remove the left fairing panel so it makes it worth while. Plus it takes the strain, wear and tear off my sprag and starter. The cost is far less for the jump box $24 versus $170 lithium battery which will eventually wear out and doesn't fair well in cold temps.
On my 999 it take less than a 1/2 minute to remove the left fairing panel so it makes it worth while. Plus it takes the strain, wear and tear off my sprag and starter. The cost is far less for the jump box $24 versus $170 lithium battery which will eventually wear out and doesn't fair well in cold temps.