always hard to start (she breathes fire and demands miles as a sacrifice)solved

[clayt74]

the redline problem that you are also having would suggest its more than just a starting problem but also a problem keeping it running.
Now then just to throw another thought into the mix, i would check and probably replace your starter circuit cut off relay (not the starter relay)
that relay contains several diodes that could eaisly have been blown when your bike got fried!!! and one of those diodes being faulty could stop the ignitor unit from operating correctly but still allowing the starter motor to operate.

only my thoughts but good luck