Hi, have a problem with my 2021 v7 850 starting. On right lock and neutral lock position it starts up no problem. On left lock it it doesn’t turn over at all. Dial lights up as usual.
I am going to check all the cables round the headstock for any broken or worn bits. Is there anywhere else that I should check please.
Thank you in advance
Rob
Like you say, you need to check all cables especially any that look tight, I’d also try and open the switchgear block, good luck
Oh no! I’ve got a 2021 V7 850. 
Something else to worry about…
The stock starter button can be a bit iffy apparently, I am seriously considering installing a second push button switch on the handlebar for in case it decides to stop working.
Thank you cali
Mike, Yes I’ve had the dodgy starter button it’s great fun. I give it a liberal squirt with wd40 periodically which seems to sort it. I think it’s described as character 
Thank you and to close, had a good look at the wiring, nothing obvious wrong so did the electrical version of hit it with a hammer and wiggled it about a bit. Took the switch apart liberal squirt with spray, some more wiggle and the buttons poked. Put it back together and it works. I think probably stop start button so note to self don’t use it or it could be character.
Regards Rob
I find there is no rhyme or reason with the starter button in my V7 850.
I know, thanks to this forum, to always press it right on the end for maximum leverage. Sometimes it starts almost instantly and yet other times I’m waiting up to three seconds with nothing happening and then it wakes up.
I have sprayed contact cleaner in there a few times and again - no pattern between that and a good or bad start.
It’s never not started but silence for three seconds can be unnerving.
That makes sense. What I normally do is press it repeatedly a few times, and also toggle the kill switch a couple of times, before I even turned the key on. Why kill switch? These most often have sliding contacts, thus are supposed to be self cleaning (slide contact switches are or were very common in electronics), I know I have read on forums and suchlike that ‘using the kill switch wears it out, so must never’, but if it’s self cleaning then could be a case of ‘use it or lose it’ … on these bikes, no actual appreciable current is flowing to get the contacts working, they’re just signals to the ECU, so the actual electric currents are tiny, milliamps at best.
Yes! 
I hadn’t thought about toggling the kill switch prior to a start. Makes sense.
Maybe another area for contact cleaner too.
I had seen a post that said dont use the kill switch use the key. I obviously became a bit complacent. Saying that the hi low toggle has no delineation so I have to be aware going from one to the other. I’ve come to the conclusion that the switch gear is not the best. A shame really
I use the kill switch, and the side stand, to stop the engine on my v85. usually when I pull up somewhere I leave it in gear and clutch in, stand down so it cuts out.
if I’m moving it around or need the ignition on for any reason and know it will be on and off a few times, I use the kill switch to stop it wasting battery priming the fuel system, also if I have stopped to talk to someone and just want to cut the engine off so I can hear them I use the switch.
I think the switches are doing ok, 37k of almost daily use all year round, heavy rain so bad my waterproofs started leaking after 4 or 5 months.
Hi Sid, very pleased you bike is going well they are a lovely machine. As you say getting wet regularly is part of our lifestyle. Not always the best bit though. Living in what is apparently the driest place in the country I probably don’t get as damp as yourself although water over the rims does happen here occasionally.
There are as you will be aware quite a few reported problems from various riders regarding iffy switch gear both within this club and in other groups. I don’t know how this compares with other manufacturers but I haven’t had this happen on a bike before.
I would also add that in my case I think it is not helped by the ground conditions here. It is very clay soil. Slurry when wet and talcum powder when dry and it makes a very good grinding paste when wet which would account for the dip main beam switch. It’s a minor concern in the general scheme of things and nothing a regular squirt of the appropriate spray or a blow out doesn’t cure.
Safe riding Rob
might be an issue with v7s in particular, I’m not sure how the new v85 switches will last either.
the switches on mine are the same as the 1400 california but the newer v85s i think are similar or the same as v100s.
I have had problems with a suzuki refusing to start in winter because of the side stand switch, which I’m guessing is frozen water getting inside it.