sometimes my starter just sounds like it's spinning and not engaging. if i try to roll it while it's in gear it usually will work afterwards.

 

I thought it was my starter going bad, but wound up being my one-way clutch bearing. When the one-way starter bearing is going bad, there is a clanking sound when the strarter is turning the engine over. When the bearing is finished, the starter sounds like it is free-wheeling before it finally "SLAMS-IN" and turns the engine over. So what happens when the bearing is toast? The spring on the inside of the bearing is separated into a million pieces....these pieces leave the bearing to go explore inside your engine. As you know.....not good. Don't ride 'till this condition is fixed.
Yamaha paid for mine ($180 clams) and I installed it even though my warranty had expired. No clanking now upon startup....very smooth. When I picked the one-way bearing up, as I was walking by the parts counter, a guy was picking up a one-way bearing for his Big Bear. Hmmmmm.