Bump starting...

[firefighter]

Have to put this here as some people get upset- yes iv'e tried searching and couldn't find anything....

Can anyone tell how to push/roll start my bike? It's a 250 so light and I can get a reasonable run up (sitting on it) but a bit of a muppit working out what to do next! Sure I can jump start a car no-worries.....but I can't roll if not in neutral and flicking into gear etc and pushing start button isn't working.......so basically how is the standard way of jump starting ya bike?
Really pissed me off this morning out of the blue the bike wouldn't start, never ever been a prob always starts easy, I had bugger all gas and wound it down before switching to reserve- muppit.....have now filled up but no joy as I can't jump it properly!

Appreciate help!

[Big Dog]

Fuel "on" or "Reserve" (as required).
Select second.
Key on.
Kill switch off to enable motor (or on depending how you see it, so that the bike would normally start).
Pull in clutch.
Get going as fast as you can manage.
Drop the clutch.
As soon as you hear it catch clutch back in.
If necessary roll on some throttle (from cold go to the normal choke position).

From here your cooking with gas.
Keep in mind some bikes will need third, others will need first.
If you find you almost depart the bike over the handle bars in second go to third.
If you find you have almost no compression resistance go to 1st.

[paturoa]

Find a down hill slope (push your bike to the top)

Turn ignition on, kill switch, fuel tap etc.

Put it in 2nd (or 3rd gear if you can run really fast)

Hold the clutch in and run like Ben Johnston (don't forget to take the bike with you)

Leap on the bike and at tjhe same time as your arse hits the seat, drop the clutch quickly, with a bit of throttle.

Ride.

PS what have the KKK and anebolic steriods got in common? The both make Ben Johnston run very fast.

[Big Dog]

For future reference this is Push starting or bump starting.

Jump starting is something you do with Jumper Leads.

[Big Dog]

PS what have the KKK and anebolic steriods got in common? The both make Ben Johnston run very fast.
And his dick shrivel.

[firefighter]

For future reference this is Push starting or bump starting.

Jump starting is something you do with Jumper Leads.

yeah ta I'd changed that but I can't change the title! Got it started just needed a faster run up thanks fellas! I bloody hope it starts in the morning......:niceone:

[EJK]

Bump start from 2nd gear?

Is it more effective than bumping from the 1st?

[firefighter]

Bump start from 2nd gear?

Is it more effective than bumping from the 1st?

yeah I dunno if it's just my bike or what but it won't move in gear with clutch in I had to flick it in gear when ready to start, and it won't do second only first.....it's running sweet now.....it's a ZZR 250 duno if that means anything to ya but yeah definately only gives me first and certainly no rolling when in gear.

[ynot slow]

The old XR200or ER185 was piece of piss,put in neutral,run sit sidesaddle on seat flick gear lever into 2nd,clutch in when running,didn't use clutch from neutral to 2nd.Throw leg over seat,easy and impressive lol.

Had a mate who had problem with his GSX750 years ago,usually pushed in neutral,jumped on and hit 2nd at time of hitting the seat.

[Squiggles]

yeah I dunno if it's just my bike or what but it won't move in gear with clutch in I had to flick it in gear when ready to start, and it won't do second only first.....it's running sweet now.....it's a ZZR 250 duno if that means anything to ya but yeah definately only gives me first and certainly no rolling when in gear.

I regularly bump start hanne's ZZR, 1st gear tends to just lock the rear, get it moving in first gear, let the clutch out slightly and click it up into second, then she wont lock as easy, once moving, put your weight back a bit and let the clutch out, hopefully you'll have enough momentum to start it (i usually just roll down the slight incline of my driveway and start at the bottom)

[vagrant]

yeah I dunno if it's just my bike or what but it won't move in gear with clutch in I had to flick it in gear when ready to start, and it won't do second only first.....it's running sweet now.....it's a ZZR 250 duno if that means anything to ya but yeah definitely only gives me first and certainly no rolling when in gear.

Perhaps you need to adjust your clutch a little.
Some bike have a very close tolerance on the clutch adjustment. Sometimes you need to rock the bike back and forward to break the clutch stiction before you can push it. Try these things,
Can you stop on the flat with the bike running, in gear, clutch in, without the bike trying to creep forward?
Is the idle higher or lower like that as opposed to when you are in neutral?
After the bike has had a run and is warmed up, shut it off and try pushing it with the bike in gear and the clutch out.

[TygerTung]

The oil in the clutch can drag if it has been sitting, making it difficult to push.

It's always a good idea to put it in second and pull it back onto compression, that way you have a full revolution to get the engine up to speed before you lock the back wheel under compression. Not sure if it applys so much to more than 1 cylinder engines though.

[xwhatsit]

The oil in the clutch can drag if it has been sitting, making it difficult to push.

It's always a good idea to put it in second and pull it back onto compression, that way you have a full revolution to get the engine up to speed before you lock the back wheel under compression. Not sure if it applys so much to more than 1 cylinder engines though.

Definitely. If you're locking the rear wheel, you are a) not rolling it back against compression first, and/or b) not slamming your arse down on the seat properly as you dump the clutch. Running alongside the bike as you dump the clutch is never going to work, you'll just lock the rear and then drop the bike.

[kevfromcoro]

Bump start from 2nd gear?

Is it more effective than bumping from the 1st?

as long as you can get it to turn over....2nd or 3rd is usually easier
just rode my xr down from Whangraei...stopped at the top of the brendrwens for a smoke..bike wouldnt go.....decided to bump start it......down the hill i go ...2nd no..3rd no,,,finally got it to fire in 4th gear..and a big ass down on the back of the seat.

[Kickaha]

Running alongside the bike as you dump the clutch is never going to work, you'll just lock the rear and then drop the bike.

Depends on what gear is used and how fast you push, I've done it on 4 cylinder bikes with out hopping on the seat with 550 and 750cc bikes

Also seen 2 stroke twins push started at walking pace

[megageoff76]

Also seen 2 stroke twins push started at walking pace

A mate once had a GT50 X1, that you could start by putting it on the centre stand, spin the back wheel by hand and then dump the clutch. Amazing.

[Big Dog]

Perhaps you need to adjust your clutch a little.
Some bike have a very close tolerance on the clutch adjustment. Sometimes you need to rock the bike back and forward to break the clutch stiction before you can push it. Try these things,
Can you stop on the flat with the bike running, in gear, clutch in, without the bike trying to creep forward?
Is the idle higher or lower like that as opposed to when you are in neutral?
After the bike has had a run and is warmed up, shut it off and try pushing it with the bike in gear and the clutch out.

Nah, it's a kawasaki thing. To protect the gear box.
it needs to be doing more than 5kmh to get to second, and if properly maintained less to get to neutral from 2nd.


Bump starting is best in second because it exposes your gearbox to less stress.

[roadracingoldfart]

A mate once had a GT50 X1, that you could start by putting it on the centre stand, spin the back wheel by hand and then dump the clutch. Amazing.


I know an idiot that tried that with a lawnmower and now he cant pick his nose with his right hand !!!!! :(


Option plan B: once the engine is running just fill it up with fuel and dont turn it off when you get home after work. Then its ready and nice and warm for the morning.

Option plan C : fix the fault with the starting system .

Option plan D : catch a bus.

[motorbyclist]

Bump start from 2nd gear?

Is it more effective than bumping from the 1st?



Bump starting is best in second because it exposes your gearbox to less stress.

why not start in 6th then? if you don't trust the gearbox to handle you bumpstarting how do you think it handles the motor?

1st gear will spin the engine faster than 2nd or 3rd so is more likely to actually get the thing started, but in turn is more likely to lock the wheel and slows you down faster. some small bikes in high gears can actually be pushed along in gear with the engine dead!

pick the lowest gear that allows you to still get the wheel spinning, and be aware that some bikes (usually if warm) may take off away from you if you're running alongside with the gas on - which is why most posts tell you to pull the clutch in once she fires;)


yeah I dunno if it's just my bike or what but it won't move in gear with clutch in I had to flick it in gear when ready to start, and it won't do second only first.....it's running sweet now.....it's a ZZR 250 duno if that means anything to ya but yeah definately only gives me first and certainly no rolling when in gear.

just get her rolling and dump the clutch as you chuck some weight on to stop the rear skidding. use a gear that works well. don't use the starter (i don't know if you shouldn't, but it just seems a silly thing to do nomatter how well intentioned). trying to find compression stroke is pretty futile with more than one cylinder.

most bikes/engines have a knack to starting them, especially if they have kickstarts, and often you won't consciously know what it is when you try to tell others how to start your bike. neatly explains the range of advice given and how some guys will spend ten minutes kicking a bike over and another (often a mechanic or someone who owns that sort of bike) will come over and have her going first bang.


alternatively, fix the problem.


Nah, it's a kawasaki thing. To protect the gear box.
it needs to be doing more than 5kmh to get to second, and if properly maintained less to get to neutral from 2nd.

really? my honda doesn't move in gear when cold simply due to clutch adjustment and everything being cold...

dunno how it protects the gearbox.... coasting up to red lights in neutral shouldn't be disabled.... but then again, it IS a kawasaki, they probably don't think it's been built well enough to take the 250cc power:bleh:

[Kickaha]

Nah, it's a kawasaki thing. To protect the gear box.
it needs to be doing more than 5kmh to get to second, and if properly maintained less to get to neutral from 2nd.
.

I don't think it's to protect the gearbox, the bigger Kawasakis had a springloaded ball bearing thingy on one of the gearbox shafts that stopped you going from 1st to 2nd if you weren't moving to make it easy to select neutral when stopped



coasting up to red lights in neutral shouldn't be disabled.... but then again, it IS a kawasaki, they probably don't think it's been built well enough to take the 250cc power:bleh:

Why would you coast up in neutral?, not having any drive if you suddenly need it isn't a good option

[motorbyclist]

I don't think it's to protect the gearbox, the bigger Kawasakis had a springloaded ball bearing thingy on one of the gearbox shafts that stopped you going from 1st to 2nd if you weren't moving to make it easy to select neutral when stopped
now that would make more sense



Why would you coast up in neutral?, not having any drive if you suddenly need it isn't a good option

cause i'm lazy :P

i'll only do it occasionally where that situation isn't going to be the case


anyone else like to travel as slowly as possible without taking their feet off the pegs at lights? one time i managed to keep upright for 2 seconds after completely stopping:D

[McJim]

Something isn't making sense. Bike in gear and clutch held it should roll in ANY gear?!? Holding the clutch in means there's no connection between engine and wheel.

Therefore Get to the top of a hill.
Sit on the bike
Turn your ignition "on".
ensure your kill switch is set to "Run"
put the bike in second gear.
Put/fold the stand away
PULL THE CLUTCH IN.
bike should now roll down the hill assisted by your feet at either side.
Get a good little speed and press the START button.
Keep the START button pressed and let go clutch.
Repeat until you:
a) start the bike.
b) throw up with the exertion.

[motorbyclist]

the clutch won't completely disengage if it's adjusted incorrectly, usually the result of the cable stretching over time. ever noticed how your chain goes taught when you engage a gear? that's cause the clutch hasn't completely disengaged the engine from the transmission

plus the engine components are cold and have contracted slightly, and the oil is cold and viscious, so while it may move in gear with clutch in, it takes a bit of force to get her rolling

[Motu]

A mate once had a GT50 X1, that you could start by putting it on the centre stand, spin the back wheel by hand and then dump the clutch. Amazing.

Go to a speedway meeting and watch them do the same thing to a 15:1 alky burning 500cc single.....they are hard to push start,but can be hand started easy.

[Ixion]

I used to leave my Yamaha RD50 on the centre stand in gear, ignition on (magneto ignition). In the morning I'd run out, leap on it from behind, that would rock it forward off the stand , as the rear wheel hit the garden path it would start and off I'd go. Every time a coconut.

Lovely little bike, one of those I miss. Never let me down, never missed a beat.