Do I need a new starter?

[meistre]

I just replaced my battery ('04 Rock, 18K miles) because it started cranking slowly even though I keep it connected to a tender whenever it's parked. Still, after a new battery it cranks slow and won't start. The voltage on the battery shows almost 13V and the system is charging @ 14V so I'm beginning to suspect the starter - $189 (thanx again duckdave)!. It's making a slow grinding sound which doesn't sound too abnormal but it starts clicking after the first crank or two. I guess I could pull it off and test it but I was hoping for a simpler (and cheaper) solution.

[mcollect]

I would check the leads form the battery to starter and ground. It sounds like a corrosion problem.

[msb198]

So at about 15000 miles, my '03 R would make a squealing/grinding sound for a second or so after being started. Pulling the starter out of the bike showed that dirt had built up and was not letting the starter gear go back into the starter quick enough after starting to clear the flywheel. At 33000 miles, it's starting to do that again. I'd say the other guy's probably right about the slow cranking part, but as for the grinding, the starter's easy to pull from what I remember and it may be worth giving it a good cleaning with some electric contact cleaner. If it does it while you're cranking, the starter gear may not be coming out of the starter the whole way and not meshing right with the flywheel. I may do that to mine this weekend again since I have some time to work on my vehicles, so let me know if you need pics or have questions.