R1150GS won't start....any suggestions

[Gelaende/Strasse]

I've had the 2000 model R1150GS since new and it's never missed a beat.

I last rode it 6 weeks ago. It was fine. I put it in the garage and put the trickle charger on as I always do.

I went to ride it two weeks ago and it wouldn't start or turn over. It showed all the signs of a flat battery (impossible given that it's trickled charged)
Checked the age of the battery and it was exactly 3 years old and the acid levels were only half way up the plates. I thought it best to replace it with a brand new battery. I fitted it last weekend.

I went to start to start the bike and heard the fuel pump prime and hit the starter button. Bike turned over quickly on the starter (as I was expecting) but would only cough and splutter. It would not start.

All the fuses look OK. All the electrical connections under the tank look good too.

What have I disturbed to prevent the bike from starting or is the flat battery purely a red herring and there is something more sinister preventing the bike from starting?

(BTW - There's no immobiliser on the bike at all)

Any help or suggestions gratefully received.....

 

[Posh Pete]

Check cables to injector butterflies. Make sure they are seated properly. Then check the wiring around the ignition switch and wiring loom at headstock. This can be tight and flexing causes a breakage which works intermittently as in moving the bars when you start up.

Make sure battery terminals are tight.

 

[MikeO]

You've had the tank off to change the battery - check the throttle cables are seated correctly:

It probably wouldn't stop it from starting up, but it would run extremely roughly...

 

[Galactic Greyhound]

As posted by Scotboxer, check that the Throttle Cables have not been pulled out of their adjuster ferrules on the Throttle Bodies when you changed the battery.
This is a very common occurrence and will prevent firing up.

The following link is for an R1100RT but much also applies to your R1150 GS:

http://www.bmbikes.org.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=21616

Edit: And by Mike O as well!

 

[Gelaende/Strasse]

Check cables to injector butterflies. Make sure they are seated properly. Then check the wiring around the ignition switch and wiring loom at headstock. This can be tight and flexing causes a breakage which works intermittently as in moving the bars when you start up.

Make sure battery terminals are tight.

Gentlemen.
Thanks for your help. I've very quickly been reunited with the purring sound of a Boxer engine!
Root cause = snagged throttle cables as you all suggested!

 

[Howard J]

Gentlemen.
Thanks for your help. I've very quickly been reunited with the purring sound of a Boxer engine!
Root cause = snagged throttle cables as you all suggested!

I have done this three times now, each time I scratch my head and think what have I done? Then it finally clicks!!!