2025 rocket 3 prolonged occasional starting.

[mo8414]

My '22 R3R has demonstrated this intermittent behavior (not starting on the first attempt; always starts on second starter push) since Day 1 when the bike was new. In the past I tried switching to lower octane fuel to no avail. I'm running Premium fuel here in the USA: 91 R+M/2. Curiously...and this may strictly be a coincidence...about a month ago I topped-off the engine oil properly (it was low per usual) and the bike has started on the first starter push each time since. Since Day 1 my bike seems to drink engine oil, yet there are no indications of a leak anywhere: no smoke, no oil spots on the pavement, no nothing. I only have about 7K miles on the bike (so I don't run it all that much) and I try to check the oil every month...but sometimes it goes 2-3 months between checks when I'm forgetful. I'm now starting to wonder if there is correlation between low engine oil level and hard starting?

Seems mine also has to have oil added to it occasionally. I only have about 3500k miles on it and have done two oil changes so far. I put my bike in the shop for the starting issue and they couldn't get it to do it and ever since I got it back it only did it 1 time, then never again which is odd.

Maybe because the shop tried starting it a million times it somehow cured it, who knows. The oil dissapearing is kind of annoying and I was diligent with the break in procedure. I have heard to really slow leaks developing behind the starter cover but I have never looked.