I know, I know, I'm STILL a newbie biker!

[Quartida]

Hey all,

Well, as some of you know, I've had my bike for ages but haven't done really any riding on it at all. This has been due to a number of 'technical glitches'.

Today I am having trouble starting my bike. And what I need to know is -

If I try to ump start my bike from my car, is there anything I can possibly do wrong that would damage me and/or Morty.

I know you CAN jump a bike from a car, and I've jumped plenty of cars from my car before, but never a bike, and I just wanted to make 200% sure that there was nothing I could do wrong. (Trust me, if anyone was going to do something wrong, it would be me.)

[Finn]

It's okay but make sure your car is NOT running at the time.

I think you need to leave a battey charger on it over night. I have a special bike one you can borrow if you want.

[Maha]

I know you CAN jump a bike from a car, and I've jumped plenty of cars from my car before

Do you do this in your ''Dymanic Life Saver Suit'' ? ......
Cos' if you do, then thats cheating.....

[Quartida]

Haha...that would be awesome.

Finn: I assume you mean, make sure your car is not running at the time you connect it up.
Since it is rather a requirement when you get to the jump starting bit.

I might take you up on that offer about the battery charger though.

[Maverick]

Im going to be out shopping botany way tonight if you need a hand,

Mav

[Paul in NZ]

Nah... The car does not really need to be running, in fact it's better if its NOT RUNNING. remember you are starting a small bike - not a traction engine (I'd leave it running if it was my Moto Guzzi though)

Make sure you use computer proof jumper leads to avoid fritzing your bikes computer - they are way more sensitive than a cars. Below is a simple procedure bike to bike

Arrange the other bike so its good battery is close to the dead battery, i.e., so your jumper cables will reach easily one batt to the other. Do not start the BIKE or CAR.

Attach one red clip (+) of the jumper cables to the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery.

Attach the other red clip (+) to the positive (+) terminal of the good battery.

Attach one black clip (-) to the frame of the bike with the dead battery or to the negative (-) terminal of the dead battery if a suitable frame location cannot be found.

Attach the other black clip (-) to the frame of the bike with the good battery or to the negative (-) terminal of the good battery if a suitable frame location cannot be found.

Start the bike with the dead battery. As soon as it starts, remove the jumper cables in the reverse order that they were attached.


Jump the Battery from a Car

Use the same procedure as above except DO NOT START THE CAR OR HAVE IT RUNNING. Incompatibilities between the car and motorcycle electrical systems may destroy some of the electrical components.

Get someone to help you. Jumper cables are usually too big for bike batt terminals and are likely to fly off!!!!!

Once you have it started. Go for a ride BUT find out why it's not starting and fix it. If it's got a naff battery - replace it stat!!!!

[Quartida]

Mav - I work at Botany Town Centre - is that where you're going to be? You should come and say hi!

The problem is that I don't finish until 9...by which time it seems rather late to be bump starting a bike.

Thanks Paul...I shall try it. The battery shouldn't be buggered...it's new from only 3 months ago. It's just because I didn't ride it for a while, and although the battery was taken out, it doesn't seem to be working.

That said, it may be a bike problem. In which case, I may have to take it to the mechanic.

[Maverick]

Mav - I work at Botany Town Centre - is that where you're going to be? You should come and say hi!

The problem is that I don't finish until 9...by which time it seems rather late to be bump starting a bike.

9 isnt a problem for me, I need to go shopping and get a hair cut anyway, I can see in the dark too

Will see if i can source a voltmeter from somewhere to check your alternator charge rate.

[Quartida]

That would be uber-lovely. I live about 10 mins from Botany Town Centre...but you're coming to Botany Town Centre right? Come into Whitcoulls and see me and I'll give you directions.

Is that truly, truly OK?

[Maverick]

Yeah no sweat, Im happy to help out a fellow KB'er anytime.
better keep an eye out for me then as I probably wont recognise you without your incredibles costume

[degrom]

LOL – Just make sure you hook up the + and + , and the - and - . Then start the car or the one with the fresh battery. Let it run for a few minutes and then try to start the one with the flat battery… Of you go!!!

On a amusing note… I have used my GN250 to jump-start my CAR. Now what do you say about that one!!! I had nothing else so I tried it and it worked!!!

[Quartida]

Haha....well, I shall be the tall blonde one walking around secretly looking for crime to fight. You can pick me by my shifty eye movements.

(You can also just find the girl whose name badge says 'Annelies'.)

[Quartida]

On a amusing note… I have used my GN250 to jump-start my CAR. Now what do you say about that one!!! I had nothing else so I tried it and it worked!!!

Excellent.

My only problem now is if it's not a flat battery. But I assume the fact that it was turning over to begin with...
...and then the turning got slower and slower...
...until it finally stopped...
indicates a battery problem.

[Maverick]

Excellent.

My only problem now is if it's not a flat battery. But I assume the fact that it was turning over to begin with...
...and then the turning got slower and slower...
...until it finally stopped...
indicates a battery problem.

Well we can have a look, I will try pick up a voltmeter on the way to check your alternators charge rate to see if there are any problems there, Im guessing you dont run the bike very often? My Bandit gave me a hard time one night when I ran low on gas in the middle of the country, it died on me, so i switched to reserve, I stupidly left the headlight on high beam and the battery was a bit dodgy, and with the attempts it took to get fuel back through the carbs was enough to drain the battery too much to start the bike.

[Quartida]

Thanks Mav. I gotta go to work now, but I'll see you tonight.

EDIT: Sorry Mods, I just realised this should really be in the 'Bike Mechanics' section. Oops! (Another blonde moment!)