Flat battery

**Virk** · 27th September 2007, 18:50

I know it might sound wee bit strange, but my bike got a flat battery. I have a Suzuki GZ 250. I turned the engine off but lights were left on

. I know how to wire a car with aNOTHER Car. is it the same on a bike or is it different.

biuke needs a doctor.....

**breakaway** · 27th September 2007, 18:53

As long as the voltage is the same (which it is) you'll be sweet. Just make sure the car ain't running

**Maverick** · 27th September 2007, 18:53

You could try roll start it if you have a hill nearby.

Push bike up slope in neutral.
point downhill and get on bike
Put bike in 2nd gear
switch ignition on
pull in clutch so bike freewheels
ride down hill/slope/driveway
as speed gets up a little (10-20k) then let clutch go, bike should turn over and start.
the longer the hill the better, a couple of goes might be needed on something like a short driveway.

**Aa7** · 28th September 2007, 12:23

Originally Posted by Maverick

You could try roll start it if you have a hill nearby.

Put bike in 2nd gear
switch ignition on
pull in clutch so bike freewheels
ride down hill/slope/driveway
as speed gets up a little (10-20k) then let clutch go, bike should turn over and start.
the longer the hill the better, a couple of goes might be needed on something like a short driveway.

this has had me thinking about kick starts again. Why do the newer bikes not have them these days and is it possible without to much dramas to fit one to a newer bike? i imagine it would be but anyone have an answer? oh and why 2nd gear and not 1st when you crash starting the bike?

**cowboyz** · 28th September 2007, 12:28

cause first will just lock your rear up. try it in 3rd even. depends how tall your gearing is. I could get my old 600 to start in 3rd or 4th walking next to it. Had a fair bit of practice cause I had a bugger battery for ages.

As for kickstarts. Might be alright on the smaller singles but even the my old XR400 you were wishing you had an electric start some days. Wouldnt like to kick over a big IL4. Probably rip your leg off.

**Maverick** · 28th September 2007, 12:37

Originally Posted by cowboyz

cause first will just lock your rear up. try it in 3rd even. depends how tall your gearing is. I could get my old 600 to start in 3rd or 4th walking next to it. Had a fair bit of practice cause I had a bugger battery for ages.

As for kickstarts. Might be alright on the smaller singles but even the my old XR400 you were wishing you had an electric start some days. Wouldnt like to kick over a big IL4. Probably rip your leg off.

As he said. I cant stand kick starts. once you know how to roll start a bike its dead easy.

**vifferman** · 28th September 2007, 12:40

Originally Posted by cowboyz

Wouldnt like to kick over a big IL4. Probably rip your leg off.

Meh.
My XBR500RS Mutant had kickstart only, and no decompressor. Piece of piss to start - it's all down to technique. I had more grief starting my old MT250 Elsinore.

For bump-starting bikes with some compression, you need to leap onto the seat at the moment you let the clutch out. The VTR1000 was not easy to bumpstart, as the compression locked up the back wheel VERY easily.

**Coldrider** · 28th September 2007, 12:43

Brings back memories of flooded XR600 in enduro bog pools.

**Paul in NZ** · 28th September 2007, 13:08

Speaking in 'general'......

Kicking an IL4 should be a piece of piss compared to a big twin / single but IL4's don't have much flywheel to help - either way people don't really want them anymore...

Crash starting a bike with a flat battery is OK in an emergency BUT don't make a habit of it - modern bikes, particularly jappers from the 80's early 90's are a bit light in the alternators and they depend on a good, fully charged battery. Crash starts will fry the alt or reg/rect eventually. In some cases the ignition modules are not well protected either... The power spike can wreck them.

Everything is fine IF you keep the battery up to sniff and check it's charging as it should.