My 2013 Limited has the ACR's so yours should too.

All above is good advice. Especially both ends of the battery cables. One thing I'd like to add that may or may not help. Make sure you press hard on the start button and don't let off until it's fully started. I had a similar issue and realized I was being a little light on the start button and also letting go before the bike was really started. It would hit once and I'd either let off too soon or not have it pressed hard enough, the starter would disengage and I'd get the kick back.

Good luck

 

I know you say stock but is there a tuner? Try not letting the pump cycle, crank it right away when you turn the ignition on.
Oops! I see where you say stage 1... if it has ACR’s get them checked. Mine were added and oh wow , my starter thanked me...

 

I'm with Notgrownup. I used the Harley's Pro Super Tuner recommended map with my stage 1 and got similar symptoms, hard cranking and the occasional backfire through the throttle body. After a little research I found the map I used had the ignition timing to far advanced for startup. It was a night and day change after I retarded the timing in the startup range. I can't remember the range exactly, lowest RPM, highest MAP I believe where the ECM looks for startup timing.

 

like post #8 miketd3 and everyone else. I got tired of trying things and replaced everything. bigger battery&cables, bigger starter, new clutch hud,primary chain...the list goes on a bit, things spins now

 

thanks for all the responses. i upgraded mine to a 103 w/ acr's a few years back. The button issue might be my problem. if she's been sitting awhile, I'll let it prime. daily start, press right away. Me thinks operator mental block is my cause. it sure sucks getting old. Thanks for the responses.

 

To the OP:
Lots of good suggestions here, and it has been asked, but when you did the stage 1 did you have the ECM re-mapped?

Not only could the spark be off, but it was not uncommon for the Dealer's mechanic to forget to tun the ACR’s back on in the tune.
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Are you sure the ACR's are working?

 

Hopefully they are. When i hit the button, there's a slight hesitation before the motor turns over. Would that be an indication their working?

 

No I wouldn’t think so, I turn my ignition on and hit the button and it goes right away