A couple weeks ago my bike choked out at a stop sign, cranked it over and fired right back up to go around the block at home. The next morning I fired up the bike and got two blocks down the street before I had to push my bike home and get the truck. I did a diagnostics check and no codes. The bike was firing up for short periods but now will only crank with starter fluid and dies as soon as it burns the starter fluid off. It was pouring rain the day before these issues started. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

Fuel pump,fuel filter,fuel something

 

It's an 05 so no fuel pump and I have verified that there is a streaming getting through the fuel lines into the carb but no matter how much fuel I squirt in it will not crank unless I spray starter fluid in the carb.

 

Remove the vacuum line from the top of the carb, and plug both the hose and the nipple (or just pinch off the hose with a long hemostat or a small C-clamp)
Flip the petcock switch to 'reserve.'
If it runs fine, then your petcock diaphragm is punctured and flooding the engine by sucking unmetered fuel through the hose directly into the carb. You can also check this by applying suction to the hose... if fuel comes out then you have your culprit.

Replace the petcock.

 

John, I appreciate the info I will try that this weekend or sooner, I'll be sure to post the results either way. Seems like the Canadians are out in force tonight thanks Northern Neighbors, worked with some of your military...Great Guys!

 

Glad to offer the suggestions!

Other potential suspects could be:

1) clogged idle jet
2) idle jet fallen out
3) punctured slide diaphragm

Then you have to spend a little money:

4) intake leak (replace seals, they are cheap and due. Do this anyway)

Then you have to spend more money:

5) crank position sensor... it may or may not throw a code, the only positive check is to replace with a known good unit (new one should be about $65 bucks)

I'm sure there are other suggestions, these are relatively common and easy to check, except for the last one which will cost you money up front unless you can borrow a working one. There may even be an electrical/ignition issue, but if it runs on starter fluid, I'm guessing not.