i have a 2022 z800 trail. 300 easy miles on it. No water/mud. A few days ago it wouldn't crank over. As i've done a few times before, i forgot to press the brake before starting. Well, i pressed the brake and still no cranking over. The dash display lit up and i had lights, just wouldn't crank over. Tried neutral..nothing. Messed with the shifter...nothing. So i just sat there for about 5 minutes disgusted as hell. Decided to try again. Pressed the brake first this time, and it cranked right up. I been goin out every day since and have not had any more problems. Its been starting fine. My question..... Do you think i might have a mechanical problem, or could that situation be called operator error?

I had that happen to me once.
Got kinda of disturbed by it.
Then I realized I had it in gear when I was trying to start it.

Then I started laughing at myself.

NOT saying this IS what happened your case, but it's possible.

Right. Sounds like you had it in gear, or at least not in neutral or all the way in park.

here we go again....2022 z800 trail not cranking over. Tightened up battery cables and then it started right up. Well, this morning, no crank. Tightening up connections is about the limit of my expertise on this machine so looks like i'm gonna have to take it to the shop. Any other suggestions? thanks..

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

here we go again....2022 z800 trail not cranking over. Tightened up battery cables and then it started right up. Well, this morning, no crank. Tightening up connections is about the limit of my expertise on this machine so looks like i'm gonna have to take it to the shop. Any other suggestions? thanks..

Just a little more info.
1. When you turn the key to the ON position, does the dash light up?
2. Id the dash lights up, when you turn the key to the starter position, does the dash lights dim? does it click ? or no click and no change in dash lights?
3. If the dash lights don't come on at all like the battery is disconnected, and you have checked both battery connections and confirmed the battery is fully charged, find the main fuse under the seat and probe-test both lines and confirm there is the same voltage on both sides of the main fuse as is on the battery. You will have to probe the wires going into the holder. If not, then you have the same problem hundreds of others have had with their fuse holder...not the fuse but the holder where as an internal connection has failed. It will need replaced. If it is the same then look to the key switch or....double check the kill switch...make sure it's in the RUN position. Yes..it happens.

here we go again....2022 z800 trail not cranking over. Tightened up battery cables and then it started right up. Well, this morning, no crank. Tightening up connections is about the limit of my expertise on this machine so looks like i'm gonna have to take it to the shop. Any other suggestions? thanks..

Just a little more info.
1. When you turn the key to the ON position, does the dash light up?
2. Id the dash lights up, when you turn the key to the starter position, does the dash lights dim? does it click ? or no click and no change in dash lights?
3. If the dash lights don't come on at all like the battery is disconnected, and you have checked both battery connections and confirmed the battery is fully charged, find the main fuse under the seat and probe-test both lines and confirm there is the same voltage on both sides of the main fuse as is on the battery. You will have to probe the wires going into the holder. If not, then you have the same problem hundreds of others have had with their fuse holder...not the fuse but the holder where as an internal connection has failed. It will need replaced. If it is the same then look to the key switch or....double check the kill switch...make sure it's in the RUN position. Yes..it happens.

Second this.
Sounds like you have a simple issue, just a frustrating one.
Something is not maintaining a consistent contact.
In all seriousness so far, these machines are not difficult to work on in my experience.
Tracking down electrical or electronic stuff is always a pain in the neck, but the processes are simple enough.

1. When you turn the key to the ON position, does the dash light up? .....YES
2. Id the dash lights up, when you turn the key to the starter position, does the dash lights dim? does it click ? or no click and no change in dash lights? ......NO CLICK-NO CHANGE
Kill switch in RUN position
I'm hesitant to dive in to this thing myself, as i might end up worse off than i already am....haha
Was gonna get it to the shop but the dude with the truck and trailer bailed out...thinkin about puttin it in a uhaul box truck, Anybody ever haul theirs like that?

Just a little info--- i'm in a very small snowbird town. Born and raised here. Most friends are either moved or passed on. Dont know too many folks in my "new" town. This is why i'm havin trouble gettin my machine hauled to chandler, bout 120 miles from me.

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

1. When you turn the key to the ON position, does the dash light up? .....YES
2. Id the dash lights up, when you turn the key to the starter position, does the dash lights dim? does it click ? or no click and no change in dash lights? ......NO CLICK-NO CHANGE
Kill switch in RUN position
I'm hesitant to dive in to this thing myself, as i might end up worse off than i already am....haha
Was gonna get it to the shop but the dude with the truck and trailer bailed out...thinkin about puttin it in a uhaul box truck, Anybody  ever haul theirs like that?

Starting to sound more like a bad ignition switch or AUX relay. Otherwise I think it needs to go in.

Because most places don't allow them on the road like AZ does, we already have ways to haul them before purchase, like our trucks, trailers or even toy haulers. A U-haul truck would be fine except you won't have ramps you will need to load a SxS.If your car had a trailer hitch you could rent a U-haul trailer with a rear ramp. Still need some tie-down straps.

I have a 2018 z 800 that has a rocker switch on the dash that every so often gets bumped and some how cut's power to the machine.
But once i flip the switch it starts.Have you tried checking that?
I guess it's a safety switch or something like that.

finally fixed it... Buddy of mine has a mechanic shop. he never messed with a cfmoto so looked at it as a challenge. It was determined the solonoid, or relay switch, or whatever you wanna call it was bad. I ordered a new one and it was bad too. Well, he had a solonoid off of a ford layin around the shop there, so he manufactured a bracket and mounted it on there. Been a couple months now and its been workin great ever since.

You got yerself a frankin ford now... have fun!!!