2013 Forza 300 starting problem

[JohnnyDev]

I've just acquired the scooter and now have a starting problem

Side stand is up
Kill switch is on
Key is in ON position
Left hand brake lever is applied
Headlight and dash lights all as they should be
Hit start button - nothing

BUT
if I push the scooter backwards with my feet while sitting on it and then hit the left hand brake so that it stops dead, then press the start button again, it starts almost every time immediately.

Is this bizarre, or am I missing something here ?

Any clues as to what might be the problem ?

Thanks

[you you]

I've just acquired the scooter and now have a starting problem

Side stand is up
Kill switch is on
Key is in ON position
Left hand brake lever is applied
Headlight and dash lights all as they should be
Hit start button - nothing

BUT
if I push the scooter backwards with my feet while sitting on it and then hit the left hand brake so that it stops dead, then press the start button again, it starts almost every time immediately.

Is this bizarre, or am I missing something here ?

Any clues as to what might be the problem ?

Thanks

Kill switch should be off?

[Alibally]

Problem with the left lever brake switch?

[JohnnyDev]

Kill switch should be off?

Sorry, I should have said that it's in the RUN position, as it should be

[JohnnyDev]

Problem with the left lever brake switch?

Could be - thanks

[MBMyer]

I would start with the switch on the left handbrake. In my experience, the Honda micro-switches are a weak spot. On my Goldwing, nearly every single one was changed out under warranty, and several others I changed out after the bike was out of warranty. I also wore out a couple of clutch lever bushings so that the angle on one w=of the switches was wrong and the cruise control wouldn't stay set.

Try cleaning the switch first, and if that doesn't work, try getting a multimeter onto the switch terminals and see what it takes to actuate it.

Good luck!

[JohnnyDev]

Yes, many thanks again guys - from thinking over your comments, the brake switch seems to be the logical potential culprit, given the symptoms I described. I'll definitely be checking it out

[davenowherejones]

My brake switch is really flaky. I have to pull it a few times occasionally. Honda quality is not what it used to be.

[PingGam]

Squeeze the break harder. When I first got my Forza I had problems with not starting. I was used to the gentle squeeze required on a PCX. My problem was solved by applying a firm squeeze, as if you are trying to stop the bike when riding.

[BRed]

It's not a defective brake switch.....it's all in YOUR grip!

The Forza (like most Hondas?) doesn't respond well to the limp wristed approach to braking....

Cowboy UP and Get a Grip!

[JohnnyDev]

.....it's all in YOUR grip!

Yeah - very droll, BRed

Thanks buddy

[fish]

Do not feel dumb....
The salesman rolled my new 2014 Forza into the lot, put it on the side stand and said, "Enjoy, it's a sweet ride!"
Then he went back inside. (great set of safety instructions for the new owner)
I climbed on as my family watched from the trail car -.....
Nothin.
Had to go back inside and get the salesman because I could not start my new scooter.
He fired it right up --- "Give the brake lever a good squeeze!"
My Kymco & Burgman take a feather light touch - not so the Forza.
(nothing like launching a new, unfamiliar scooter out into 50mph traffic for 15 mile ride home - fortunately the low center of gravity of the Forza gave me a stable and secure ride home)
Fish

[Mister Paul]

Practice. Hold the start button down then apply increasing pressure to the brake lever. This way you'll feel the point at which the switch engages and know for next time.

[Jockay]

Having had various maxi scoots most tend to have one brake lever / micro switch safety procedure starting system although on one of my scoots ( a Yamaha I think) either brake lever could be applied to activate the starter as each had a micro switch.

When I first owned my first Honda SW 125 (have had three over the years) I thought the handbrake lever switch had a problem as I had to squeeze it so very tightly so much so I felt it would pop something in the braking system (Not that it would have !) but that is how it felt - the next two SW's were the same.

On the first SW125 I bought a new handbrake lever micro switch, installed it and low and behold the new one was just the same as the original one that I thought was faulty.

On my NSS300 the handbrake lever has to be squeezed very hard too to activate the micro switch - way harder than an emergency stop I feel.

My older NSS300 was just the same so I just remember to squeeze the lever very tightly when starting and hope for the best

[JohnnyDev]

Practice. Hold the start button down then apply increasing pressure to the brake lever. This way you'll feel the point at which the switch engages and know for next time.

OK - many thanks for this - it actually works (even for me)

I thought I was squeezing it pretty hard before - apparently not enough !

[davenowherejones]

Practice. Hold the start button down then apply increasing pressure to the brake lever. This way you'll feel the point at which the switch engages and know for next time.

OK - many thanks for this - it actually works (even for me)

I thought I was squeezing it pretty hard before - apparently not enough !

I need to investigate mine a little more. There is no design reason a person has to put excessive pressure to actuate a micro-switch.

I need to check alignment of the switch? Dirt in the switch? Bad design? Poorly made? Corrosion on the switch? Bad wires?

I don't think stupid hard pressure on the brake lever is the right answer.

[gn2]

Pressure isn't needed to make the switch work, the pressure is to make the brake work.
The switch is not activated until the brake is fully on.
Which is probably by design given the reason why the switch is fitted in the first place.

[davenowherejones]

The switch is on the left brake lever so it works when you are trying to put the rear brakes on and a single piston of the front brakes for the combined braking system. The ABS might also have some part in this?

My starting system does not work about 25% of the time. I have accidentally hit the kill switch a few times. I leave the side stand down way too often. I don't get the key in the right position some times.

All it takes is one pretty girl to walk by and the starting sequence gets out of order.

I ride in the rain a lot. I wonder if dirt & mud is fouling up my brake pads enough that I have to apply excessive pressure to overcome this?

[DioTiAma]

Nope. It you. Or that pretty girl walking by! While pressing the left lever, lean forward, get your ear close to the lever. You will be able to hear two clicks while braking until lever hits the grip. First click activates the stop light and on the second one, engine is ready to start. The moment you hear the second click, push the starter button.

[gn2]

The ABS might also have some part in this?

Absolutely none.

I ride in the rain a lot. I wonder if dirt & mud is fouling up my brake pads enough that I have to apply excessive pressure to overcome this?

As regards the starting issue it will have no effect.