01 F4i, starting cold it cranks for a good 7-10 seconds before it finally catches, then will fire up fine after that. Plenty of fuel, newly cleaned K&N filter, battery is fine. What should I check next? Wanted to get some input before I go ripping things apart.

 

Open your gas cap before starting and see if that helps.

What do your plugs look like?

Beyond that, fuel pump. Do you hear it prime when you turn the ignition to "on?"

 

I haven't yet checked the plugs, but I will try the gas cap thing. And yes I hear the fuel pump prime when I switch it on. Thanks!

 

Stupid question, but how old is your battery? Might also be a charging system issue. If the plugs are OK, test you R/R; they tend to go on that bike.

 

I don't know how old the batt is, I haven't replaced it since I got it 3 years ago...but I monitored the voltage for a few days and it was normal so I think its ok. What is the R/R?

 

regulator rectifier. I would change the plugs. They are probably getting bad.

 

Yep, here:

http://www.offwidth.co.uk/bike/gener...lt_finding.pdf

But like we said, plugs first. Hell, if they're 3 years old, replace them anyway.

 

^ +1

You should change your plugs more often than 3 years. My f4i did the same thing it got worse until it wouldn't start at all. Put new plugs in and it fired right up.

 

I change my plugs with every oil change. Plugs are cheap, and bikes seem to beat the hell out of them.