2008 WRR won't start - Please help

Sorry, I know this is a mega long post, but I could use some help troubleshooting a WRR that won't start. Bear with me as I lay out the details.

It's a 2008 with just under 12,000 miles on it. I picked it up two weeks ago from Friend 1. He bought it in December 2020 from Friend 2. In the 16 months that Friend 1 owned the bike, he rode it less than 100 miles. It mostly sat in his garage on a battery tender. He started it up about once a month and let it run for a few minutes, with no issues. He told me he put some gas in it (87 octane) within the last six months or so.

First ride - I brought the bike home two weeks ago. Started up right away and idled normally. Took it for a ride. Ran fine for about 5 miles, but then I felt it bog down for a second in 5th gear. As I exited the road and slowed down the bike stalled. I pulled over, started it and continued to ride. It rode fine, but each time I slowed down it would stall out before I came to a stop. Made a U-turn to head back home where it continued to stall the rest of the way each time before coming to a stop. I got home and assumed it could be bad/old gas in the tank so I drained it, dumped in some Sea Foam and fresh 93 octane. I also threw in a brand new No Toil air filter as the old one ripped while I tried removing it. Airbox looked fine, old air filter was clean.

Second ride - Took the bike out a couple of days ago for the first time since putting in the fresh gas and air filter. Bike fired up right away. Took off and she stalled within the first two miles of riding. Found some back roads and ran the bike through all the gears. Within the first 10 minutes of riding, it probably stalled on me about a half-dozen times just like the first time I had it out, but then it eventually stopped stalling and I rode it for a total of 15 miles by the time I got home. The stalling out when cutting the throttle and slowing down was the only issue I encountered, otherwise the bike rode really strong. No hesitation, so surging or rough idling, etc. I was happy at this point as I figured maybe the fresh gas was the solution.

Third ride (almost) - Planned on taking it out today for a few miles and then come back home and change the oil. Bike fired up right away and idled fine for about 3 minutes in the driveway and then just died. After that I haven't been able to get it started. It cranks and cranks and cranks, but does not turn over.

The bike has the following mods: flapper glued down, EXUP servo removed, other typical airbox mods for the WRR, FMF power bomb header and pipe, and FMF fuel programmer (which I haven't touched). I know that when Friend 2 owned the bike, it was well taken care of, and he did not ride it hard. He also installed a new OEM fuel pump in 2015 when he installed the Safari tank. I ran through the diagnostics but didn't get any faulty codes. When I turn the key on I can hear the fuel pump cycling.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

You received a lot of suggestions on ADVrider, so I'll be more general here; in order for the motor to fire you need three things:

1. Compression: follow the procedure on Page 3-9 of the Service Manual to confirm that you have good compression
2. Spark: check your ignition coil (Page 8-74), and change your spark plug. Then follow the procedure on Page 8-39 (Diagnostic Monitoring Code 30) to confirm that your ignition works.
3. Fuel: follow the procedure on Page 8-39 (Diagnostic Monitoring Code 36), or watch this video from Yamaha:

Hi John, thanks for the suggestions.

I don't have a compression tester, but will get one and do the test.

I have a new spark plug on order and will install it when I get it. Will also check the ignition coil as you suggested.

I did the diagnostic test for the ignition coil (Code 30) and it checks out normal - I get five flashes of the engine warning light.

I also did the diagnostic test for the fuel injector (Code 36) and that too is normal - Five flashes of the engine warning light AND five simultaneous audible clicks.

Some guys on the ADV forum suggested the issue could be not enough fuel in the Safari tank, so I filled it about 3/4 yesterday and tried starting it, but no go. Still cranks and cranks but won't turn over. I'm hoping it's the spark plug, so we'll see when I change it out tonight or tomorrow.

Again, thanks for the helpful suggestions. I will follow-up with my results after completing the above steps.

I had an intermittent cut-off issue a year ago that took a long time to troubleshoot, and in the process I got this compression tester from Harbor Freight that worked quite well.

Okay, problem all fixed.

It ended up being the spark plug. I put a new plug in and it fired right up.

Thanks again to Johnkol for the suggestions. Good to know if I ever need them in the future (but I hope not)