Only cranks when spark plug is removed
 

Came across this issue when trying to start my hawk 250. Replaced the starter solenoid, charged my battery(reads 13.3 vdc) and checked all my grounds. I also replaced the starter thinking it couldn’t overcome the compression. With the plug in it is slow cranking and the moment I remove the spark plug it cranks like it supposed to. What could be causing this?

The starter should turn the engine faster than normal and constantly (no variation in speed) with spark plug removed.

Do you have a kick starter?