I posted this on Bad Weather Bikers.

So, my '08 started acting weird, see subject line. It was acting like maybe the battery had a bad cell. Push starter button, starter hits, then - nothing.

Tested the (NOCO Lithium - 7 months old) battery, and it was fine. I figured it must be the starter - the starter button and relay sounded like they were working.

Bought a new starter from Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007MS29GQ...roduct_details and installed it last night.

To my dismay, the problem remained! So, I swapped the starter relay for one of the others, and the bike started immediately!

All I can figure is that the relay (which appears to work fine in the other location) was failing under load - it would engage momentarily, then fail. Repeatedly.

So, if you are experiencing the same behavior, check the relay first!

The good news is that the new starter (1.4kw) spins the engine much faster, with no 'grunt'. And, I found the transmission breather hose had been in contact with the rear exhaust pipe, and had a hole burned in in it.

And - I guess I have a 'good' spare starter!