Had the same problems when I first did a rad clean, would not start, checked the plug and not pushed into place properly, was very happy when started.   

I have been running on Road 5's for just over 1000miles and I am very happy with them, they have a much better 'feel' of the road compared to the 4's and 3 I used before and confidence factor is very high.  Just got to test them on some wet roads and they are superb.  I will be very happy with these through winter I think  .  They are interesting design with some very large sipes.

I guess I have been lucky with my K, still runs very well and shifts when I open it up.  I also have a GS911 and sometimes have to reset the idle valve when it feels a bit rough.That tool is very much needed for self servicing.  The only odd behaviour of the bike is with lines or ridges in the road running in the same direction, only run RP3 and now RP4's but bike does not like it, my GS would ride well over any road conditions without issues but guess that is a different bike.  Did do 92k on my 1150GS before gearbox bearing disintegrated.  The corrosion on the engine was so bad I did not bother to fix it.  Then used a 1998 Fazer 600 for a couple of years, what a bike that is, so easy to maintain!

Front bearings shot at 59k miles, making a horrific noise coming off the motorway yesterday, luckily not far from home but was screeching rest of the way, could just picture bits of metal doing battle ripping each other apart with each wheel turn    Not changed bearings on this bike before but done many others, anything special to do as know the K is usually a 'special' bike 

Go here...

https://youtu.be/cw8vzuxc1eQ

...watch that and be amazed! Who knew 

Thanks how interesting.  A piece of kit that only has a purpose for 90 seconds or so but makes a difference.

I picked up a used one for £250, was very good condition.  I would check ebay and also ring up some breakers.

I installed my rad yesterday, sprayed with ACF and then used air compressor to get excess liquid off before installing.  Will see if that stops corrosion and also if easier to clean out next time.  Also decided to change my spark plugs while rad was off and noticed all the ridges on the coils were broken (thanks BMW mechanics!!) so had to use vice grips to very carefully extract the coils.  Spark plugs had done 20k+ miles and looked OK but changed them anyway.  Bike was running sweet this morning, nice and cool 

Just pulled my radiator off for a clean and it is not looking good     The bottom part has separated and the fins are broken, not sure why was not leaking but maybe damaged when I pulled the radiator off.  The radiator just looks sh*t.  I do ride all year round so another winter has just killed it.  Only done 58k so a tad disappointed    Will cry paying for a brand new one so out looking for a second hand one if possible !