Can a Headlight Cause Honda CBR600 Starting Problems?

When somebody makes adjustments to the headlight of a Honda motorcycle, can an improper re-installation or repair cause starting problems with the bike?

Partzilla’s Honda motorcycle expert John Talley livestreams Q&A sessions on our YouTube channel every Friday at 3pm Eastern. In this session, John was asked if a headlight can cause starting problems with a 2009 Honda CBR600.

Honda CBR600 Headlight Starting Problems Q&A

I have an 09 Honda CBR600. I was told the previous owner did something with the headlight and now the bike won’t start. It turns over but it won’t start. Any thoughts? I was told it needs a new ignition but before I buy anything, I was hoping for feedback because I was going to just hotwire it.  

John Talley: Don’t. Alright, more than likely if [the previous owner] has been playing around with the headlight, right behind or below the headlight I believe is where the tip-over sensor is. In other words, if that didn’t get mounted back correctly and it's sitting off camber, then those contacts aren’t going to line up and well, it’s not going to start. And more than likely he didn’t plug it back in or who knows, it might not even be there. So yeah, does it need a new ignition? I don’t think so. It’s probably going to be that tipover switch. 

Watch the video below to learn how to diagnose starting problems with a Honda CBR600 motorcycle.

Watch the video below to learn how to test the charging system on a Honda CBR600 motorcycle.

Watch the video below to learn how to test a motorcycle starter solenoid.

Want to see more live repair questions answered? See more motorcycle and ATV repair questions answered here.