my 2003 XVS1100 struggles to swing over hot or cold and sometimes the motor even 'stalls' the starter-motor. battery reads 13.3VDC standing and 14.2VDC at idle. Is it true that these bikes 'strip' or break their starters as a model problem? welcome any suggestions and advice... thx Miguel

Check this out: http://www.vsoc.org.uk/vsoc_faqs/vsoc_faqs.htm#noisestart

The voltage test without any load, may indicate the battery is fine, but when you put it under load, like starting, a bad cell (or two) may be the culprit, not allowing all the current (amps) available (upto 230!) to go through all the cells to reach the starter. To test for this, do a voltage check across the battery when you hit the starter....if it drops from say 12.2volts to 10volts, you've got a bad cell.....

I've also seen this on my travels - http://vstar.brazilmission.net/VStar_Starter.pdf

UD