Any serious motorcyclist will know the essentials, like wearing appropriate safety gear, proper riding position, turning mechanisms, and how to do a push start. Wait, you don’t know how to clutch start a motorcycle? What happens if you can’t start the motor with the switch? Good thing you’re here. In just a few steps, you can learn how to effectively push start a motorcycle and get riding in no time.
Before You Push Start
There are a few things to keep in mind if you plan on push starting (also called bump starting and clutch starting) your bike. First, push starting isn’t the ideal method, and it sometimes doesn’t work.
Next, if your motorcycle isn’t starting, check some things that sometimes prevent a motorcycle from starting:
- Ignition kill switch – make sure the kill switch is set to the STOP position.
- Fuel level – your fuel gauge could be faulty, so pop the cap and check to make sure you’re not running on E.
- Fuel petcock – if you have a non-EFI bike, make sure the fuel tap petcock is OFF.
- Kickstand – some bikes have an added safety feature that prevents it from starting if the kickstand is down.
- Gear set in neutral – if the gear is engaged, the bike will refuse to start. Do a double-check.
If none of these apply to your situation, then it’s time to push start your bike.
How To Push Start
Follow these steps in the order listed.
Find A Hill
While you could get a few friends to push your motorcycle, you’re not always going to be traveling in a group. When that happens, you need to find yourself a hill. Steep slopes help you get to the proper speed to bypass the start system.
On a flat road? Don’t despair. If you can push the bike at a reasonable speed then jump on and release the clutch, you can still do a push start.
Engage 2nd or 3rd Gear
A lesser known trick to a successful push start is to avoid 1st gear and go straight to 2nd or 3rd gear. Avoid 1st gear entirely if your bike as a high compression engine.
The reason why skipping 1st gear is important is because you could potentially lock the rear tire, which would result in a crash.
Clutch, Release, and Start
Start moving down the hill to get speed while holding the clutch. As you start to gain momentum, release the clutch and press the start button in a seamless motion. Quickly apply some throttle, and the motorcycle should start. As soon as the bike is roaring, engage the clutch.
It’s important to stay in full control of the motorcycle. Please do this as far from traffic as possible, just in case you end up swerving.
If this doesn’t work on the first try, don’t give up. Stop. Reset yourself, and repeat the first three steps again.
Rev That Engine
This is the final step—the most integral. If you don’t immediately rev the engine, the motorcycle will die again. Stay focused.
Depress the clutch slightly and moderately rev the engine. Don’t let it scream. Keep the revving slightly high so the motor doesn’t choke down. The worse case scenario if you don’t rev the motor is that the bike will die, and you don’t want that—especially since you’ll still be rolling down a hill.
Optionally, once you have the engine running, you can switch to neutral and apply the brakes while revving the engine. This will help you stay focused on keeping the engine from choking. This works best if the motorcycle is cold.
Get Riding
Once the engine has warmed up, do a quick ride to make sure everything is working as it should. Remember that your safety is the most important thing when push starting a motorcycle. Be sure to practice the push starting methods a few times before attempting it for real out on the road. You should be wearing protective gear and be away from traffic. If not, you could seriously hurt yourself and others.
That wraps up how to push start a motorcycle. Just follow the steps that have been outlined, commit to safety, and you will soon be push starting like the pros!
Enjoy reading this article? Get more motorcycle tips and tricks by subscribing to my YouTube channel.
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Where To Buy Used Motorcycles
If you have made the decision to buy a motorcycle, you have probably set your budget and decided what bike is best for your needs. For many people, the cost of a brand-new motorcycle is out of their price range so they decide to go with a used bike. However, you want to be sure you purchase a bike that is in good condition, mechanically sound and will last you a long time.
With so many options available to find used bikes, it can be difficult to decide the best place to go to purchase yours. These are some of the best places to find used motorcycles and some tips on what to watch for when you use these services. If you’re wondering how to buy a motorcycle, here is another great article.
Where Can I Buy Used Motorcycles Online?
Get Cheap Used Motorcycles On Craigslist
You can find almost any type of bike available on Craigslist but there are some precautions you should take. Many people who sell on Craigslist are unaware of the true value of what they are selling, so it is possible to get good bargains there.
However, there are also many people who believe the old bike they refurbished is worth much more than it actually is, so it is important to do your homework before you answer an ad. Also remember that Craigslist is a true “buyer beware” option. If the motorcycle fails mechanically in a few months, you have no recourse against the seller.
Buy Cheap Used Motorcycles On Ebay
If you are searching for a hard-to-find bike, Ebay may be your best option. The biggest benefit to Ebay is that you don’t have to talk to the seller until you are ready to buy. Questions can be answered through the Ebay message system. Even when you are ready to buy, you don’t need to talk to the seller. Simply purchase the bike, pay online and it will arrive at your door.
This means you never get to test drive the bike nor do you get to have it checked out mechanically before you purchase. Although Ebay does have buyer protections, it can be a difficult process to manage. The bikes on Ebay are historically more expensive and there could be shipping costs involved which could drive the cost up significantly.
Find “Motorcycles For Sale Near Me” In The Classifieds
Fewer people check classified advertisements as newspapers slowly fade into the background and are replaced with online news sources. One of the benefits to checking the classifieds is that anyone who places an ad for a bike is motivated to sell.
Classifieds require the seller to pay an up-front fee to place the ad, unlike Ebay, where you only pay if the bike sells, or Craigslist, where you don’t pay at all. There are often small, local companies that publish nothing but classifieds in flyers and booklets where you may find bargains on used bikes.
Buy Used Motorcycles From Local Dealers
Dealerships take trade-in bikes all the time, so they often have a large inventory of motorcycles available. Many dealers also offer limited warranties on used bikes so if there is a problem, you may not be left with the bill to repair it. Dealers also have a reputation to uphold, and although there are some bad dealerships, the majority work to make sure you are satisfied with your purchase.
Dealers can also help guide newer riders to bikes that are suited for them. Although dealership bikes may be more expensive due to the overhead the company must pay, having a dealer back the used bike is worth the added cost in the long run.
Cheap Motorcycles For Sale On Facebook Marketplace
Facebook Marketplace has become really popular for buying and selling motorcycles and motorcycle parts. You can discover bikes for sale near you. Easy to use on your phone or your desktop, and most people already have a Facebook account. In fact that is how I found my 2004 Yamaha YZF-R6 (Second Generation). With Facebook Marketplace you can search by brand, model, year, price, and distance from your location. Once you find a bike you’re interested in simply message the seller.
Bonus Buyer’s Tip: Depending on the sellers Facebook settings, you may be able to see a few extra pics of the motorcycle and its condition by checking out the sellers profile. Most motorcycle lovers are proud of our rides and will have multiple pics posted. Simply click on the sellers profile and view images.
Take a look at a few other places you can buy used sportbikes online:
The Best Apps to Buy Used Motorcycles
One option for selling your bike online, designed specifically for buying or selling motorcycles, is RumbleOn. The site is available as a mobile app that allows you to put in all the info about your bike, take photos and upload to the site. RumbleOn sends you a Cash Offer Voucher that is good for three days. If you agree, they come get the bike and handle all the paperwork.
CycleTrader is another app that allows you to sell motorcycles and also includes reviews cars available online.
These apps are available in the Apple or Google Play Store:
Google Play Store Apps
On Apple Itunes Apps
These are just a few places where you can find used motorcycles for sale. Word-of-mouth is another way to find bikes for sale. A friend may know a friend who wants to get rid of their bike or a co-worker may be looking at upgrading. If you want to learn more tips on buying used bikes, subscribe to my YouTube channel today.
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How To Use A Battery Tender®
One of the most heartbreaking situations any car or motorcycle lover will experience is when you have beautiful riding or driving weather, are excited to hit the road, and the engine doesn’t turnover. The reason? Low battery power.
If you have a nifty gadget called a Battery Tender®, you can recharge the battery and bring it back to life in no time. A Battery Tender® is a friendlier alternative to traditional battery charges because of the technology housed within the device that is designed to prolong battery life.
Before you decide to buy a Battery Tender®/Maintainer, though, let’s talk about what they are, what battery maintainters do, and why you should have a maintenance charger for your motorcycle.
What Is A Battery Tender®?
Also known as “float chargers” or “maintenance chargers,” Battery Tender® were first created by the U.S. company Deltran in 1965. What separates battery tenders from plain ol’ chargers is that these devices provide a constant voltage supply but also are controlled by processors. In other words, they are able to refrain from charging faulty batteries, use spark-free technology, and have green and red indicators that help you understand what’s happening in just a glimpse.
A Battery Tender® is the opposite of a trickle charger, an unsophisticated, less expensive option. Though the purpose is similar, a trickle charger doesn’t have microprocessor technology that prevents it from damaging the battery if you leave it charging for an extended period of time. Furthermore, you can use a battery tender when you plan on storing your motorcycle for several weeks on end, like over winter.
Keep in mind that a Battery Tender® is not able to jump-start a long-dead battery. When this happens, you need a trickle charger.
For this reason, you can think of a Battery Tender® as a trickle charge with a brain—the exact words of the original manufacturer, Deltran. Of course, there is more than one brand of Battery Tender® available on the market.
For example, the DieHard Battery Charger/Maintainer is similar to a Battery Tender that employs things like Float Mode Monitoring to charge more than just motorcycles. Whichever model you choose, just make sure they have features like auto-adjust amperage to help maintain the charge, easy-to-read indicator lights, and float mode monitoring.
Using A Battery Tender®
Operating a Battery Tender® is easy. To use a one of these devices, you just plug it into any standard AC outlet and use it to transfer power to the 12-volt battery in your motorcycle.
When preparing to use the battery tender, keep the AC and DC cords away from the vehicle. Keep the charger off until you have everything plugged in.
Depending on the motorcycle, the connections might differ, so refer to your owner manual. Once you have the battery tender connected to the correct posts on the battery, you can switch it on.
You should see indicator lights turn on, such as:
• Flashing red light – AC power and microprocessor is functioning properly. However, if the flashing continues, the voltage might be too low. Take a look to make sure the alligator clips are attached properly.
• Steady red light – The clamps are properly place and power is being transferred to your battery. The light will remain red until the battery is fully charged.
• Flashing green light – A flashing green light is often paired with a red light. This means the battery is about 80% charged and can be used.
• Steady green light – The charge is complete. You can keep the battery tender attached to the battery to help maintain the life of the battery if it will be sitting for an extended period of time.Quick note: If your battery has less than 3 volts, the battery tender won’t start. The battery should produce at least 3 volts. On the same note, if you have a standard 12 volt battery that is defunct and is producing less than 9 volts, the battery tender won’t work properly.
Takeaway
Trickle chargers bring dead batteries back to life while battery tenders prevent batteries from losing power during periods of inactivity. Whether you use your bike every other day or less frequently, a battery tender will preserve the life of the battery to ensure your motorcycle is ready to ride whenever you need to hit the road. The straightforward usage makes it a wonderful investment for every motorcycle enthusiast.
Now that you’ve done you’re reading, it’s time to check out the motorcycle videos on my YouTube channel. Don’t forget to subscribe and receive notifications so you never miss an update!
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Sena GP10 Bluetooth Pack for the GoPro Review
If you have always wanted to record turn-by-turn commentary on your rides and you use a GoPro Hero 3 or 4 to record, the Sena GP10 Bluetooth pack is a must-have accessory. The “BacPac” allows you to record narration in real time using Sena’s “Ultra HD Voice Recording” mode or the “Normal” mode. You can even combine voices from other intercom users so the entire conversation can be used as an overlay voice-over. Download the Sena GP10 User Guide Here
