Occasionally no electric start

[brianandpauline]

Honda BF20, 2006, Long sthaft, Remote elec, PTT. Usually starts fine but occasionally there's no response at all when the key is turned. However, if the engine is turned just a few degrees (using the rope starter, not trying to start) and we try again with the key, the starter engages and the engine fires straight away. Starter? Battery? In Gear safety settings? Something else? Thanks all for any experience ...