Somtimes when i start the engine the starter sounds like it's kicking back or just grinding metal to metal. sometimes i have to try a couple of times to get it to start. anyone else having or had this problem?

 

Don't hold it that long.
When the engine is running and the starter is "starting", you'll hear the teeth on the starter try to go in the crank ones, and they won't, because they are both turning. Try hold the starter less time. If you don't hear it anymore, that was it.
Or maybe you pushed the starter while running and some of the teeth are broken. Open it to check.

 

Even when i bump the starter it seems to sound like it's jumping gears or something. i not familiar with motorcycle engines but it sounds like a car starter would sound when the ring gear is missing teeth and the starter keeps hitting that bad spot as it goes by. because it won't do every time.

 

Actually I think its the Automatic compression release that makes the noise.

 

mine does the same damn thing. and it's brand new, does yours do it especially when you first start it cold and decrease in sound as you back off the choke? I took mine to a local shop I worked at and they said they starter isn't fully disengauging.

 

Id definetly have it checked out.. I had a polaris that was making funny sounds.. turned out to be one of the gears in the starter was messed up.... I was 4-5 miles out in the woods when I shut it down, tried to start it up and nothing.. couldnt pull it, couldnt turn it over.. gear busted off the starter and stuck in the motor, thus making it seem like it was siezed, wouldnt turn over or anything..

 

I have been getting a little "ticking" sound while mine warms up. It seems to have come on as the cooler weather set in and goes away after a quick blip of the throttle. I am going to have the dealer check the gear when it goes in for checkup/valve adjustment.

 

Could be the valves?