Bump starting bike - that was fun

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Came out of work today to find the bike wouldnt start, I had to attempt a bump start for the first time, it took a few attempts and it eventaully worked, then I stupidly put the side stand down with it still in gear so it cut out again
5 attempts later on level ground and i admitted defeat I was knackered and got a work colleague to push me lol I got home eventually

[Fazbaz]

Bump starting a bike the first time for real is a bit scarey so well done 

Even more of a well done to your colleague who pushed you all the way home, top guy or girl 

Baz 

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yeh I do owe my colleague a pint, he's in his 50's with a dodgy back and a knackered knee.
Yeh it was a bit daunting and couldnt bring myself to run along side the bike and then jump on, so i was just letting the clutch out running along side the bike - dont know whats worse lol

[Grahamm]

I've had to do this a few times when my battery started dying. After a while you get the knack.

(Then you get an Optimate and leave it on charge...! )

[ChristoT]

yeh I do owe my colleague a pint, he's in his 50's with a dodgy back and a knackered knee.
Yeh it was a bit daunting and couldnt bring myself to run along side the bike and then jump on, so i was just letting the clutch out running along side the bike - dont know whats worse lol

I remember bumping my 125. The run and jump worked well there! I haven't needed to bump the FZS yet. The one time I nearly did, I got to the bottom of the hill without luck, and sat there cursing. Luckily, it started afterwards on the button!! 

[Fuzzygoth]

I had a duff battery for the last few days in Aberdeen one week and had two bump
start it until I could get to the garage. Was petrified the first few time but eventually
got used to it, that said I've not had to bump start 1100cc V-Twin Shafty ... not looking
forward to that day

Fuzzy

[Farjo]

Dunno about the FS6 but the FZS600 is easier to bump in 3rd gear. How come it was dead?

[Jacko]

How bizzare

I had same issue on Monday. Not brave or strong enough to bump it alone.
Got a colleague to push a couple of laps of car park with no joy. Tried 2nd and 3rd.
Then got some jump leads and started it ok.
Let warm up and they went off into work.
Did exactly the same and whacked it in gear with stand down, had to get security guard to push.
Started easy as it was warm then.

Was a bitter cold day and I think that finished it off. Been fine since.

[sure2ride]

A few years ago, like a dork, I tried to bump my FZS1000S, got the engine going fine, it sped off without me though and crashed into the kerb..£1600 damage      Won't be doing that again then 

[Countdown]

Glad to hear its not only me that finds bump starting difficult lol

I'm not sure why the battery was dead, only thing I can think of is I've accidentally put the parking lights on when putting on the steering lock

Unfortunately my lock up garage doesn't have any power bit of a pita.

[Chillum]

A few years ago, like a dork, I tried to bump my FZS1000S, got the engine going fine, it sped off without me though and crashed into the kerb..£1600 damage      Won't be doing that again then 

This is why you jump on the foccer before letting the clutch out 

[Grahamm]

A few years ago, like a dork, I tried to bump my FZS1000S, got the engine going fine, it sped off without me though and crashed into the kerb..£1600 damage      Won't be doing that again then 

This is why you jump on the foccer before letting the clutch out 

Or why you keep your hand on the clutch so as soon as it starts to fire you pull it in!

[sure2ride]

Won't be doing either...if it happens again I'll be sitting on the bike and getting someone else to push. Won't ever do it on my own again    

[Lawrence]

I had to bump mine the very first time I rode it.  Was a warm day and it caught straight away.  I've tried it since in the middle of winter and it was impossible... surprising how heavy it gets when you have to push it up to running speed and then jump on, three or four times in a row.  Gave up in the end and jumped it from the car

[JZS 600]

I bumped a ZX6R down Fleet St in London one time 


I was expecting to be on the back wheel when the engine caught but it was fine, if amusing!

[Fuzzy]

Had to do the run & jump bump starts quite a few times on various bikes. Then one day, my fazer fully loaded with panniers & topbox didn't start, can't jump on because of all the luggage. Was in a bloody car park at a services on the M3, lots of expensive parked cars. That was daunting but got it started first time in 2nd gear... thank god.

[BBROWN1664]

Run, jump on and THEN let the clutch out. As soon as it fires, clutch back in and blip the throttle a few times to keep it running.

[Rebuilt]

Ah i remember it well .... early december  12 ... battery died couple times with the extreme cold ... had to get neigbours to push me a few yards till it bumped ... never ran n jumped on though 

You ever tried bumping a Honda Varadero though .... DON`T  !!!