Have you ever been stranded on the side of the road with a dead battery and no way to jumpstart your bike? If so, then this post is for you. After reading this blog post, you will be able to get back on the road in no time at all!
Jumping a motorcycle is one of the most common repair jobs in this country. You never know when you’ll come across a stranded motorcyclist and need to help out by jumpstarting the bike. It’s important to be prepared for these types of situations, so read on to know how to jump start a motorcycle!
In order to successfully jumpstart a motorcycle, you will need jumper cables, an assistant who can provide power such as another vehicle or battery charger, protective gloves (optional), safety glasses (optional).
Sometimes you might end up having issues starting the motorcycle because of a dead battery. It is something that happens if the battery is worn out and needs replacement or when you left the lights on accidentally for a long or during the cold weather. These are just but a few ways you can end up with a dead motorcycle battery.
If you end up with a dead motorcycle battery, it is important that you know how to jumpstart a motorcycle. Each motorcycle owner should know this basic skill. As you can see, it would become very useful at this point.
What is jump-starting?
Jump-starting is the process of using a charged battery from another vehicle to recharge your dead motorcycle battery. It is considered controversial because different vehicles have different electrical systems. But sometimes, there really is no other option. There are two ways that you can jump-start a motorcycle:
- Using another motorcycle
- Using a car
Before Jump Starting a Motorcycle, Eliminate Other Issues
You may need to change your plugs, clear carbon buildup from your spark plugs, or fill up your gas tank if you’re having trouble starting your motorcycle. It is important to make sure you thoroughly check your vehicle for any potential problems before you attempt a jump start.
Below are a few common causes of start-up failure that are often overlooked:
- Kickstand Safety Mechanism–. Several bikes have built-in safety features that prevent them from starting when their kickstand is out.
- Gear Shift Safety Mechanism–. Several models require the clutch to be engaged prior to start so they won’t start in gear accidentally.
- Kill Switch–. By using kill switches, the bike can be shut off conveniently without having to use the ignition keys. You need to ensure it isn’t a problem with your bike
You need to jump-start the car after you have determined your issue is caused by the battery.
How to Jumpstart A Motorcycle Easily
Method 1: Using Another Motorcycle To Jumpstart The Dead Battery
This should be easy as you simply have to look for another motorcycle with a good battery and use it to jumpstart your dead battery. If your friend is a rider, it should be a start for you to use his battery for this process.
It is also important to inspect the battery just to make sure it is the reason the bike won’t start. Sometimes it can be a problem with the ignition system or anything else and you think it is the battery. If you turn on the motorcycle and there is no light for the ignition, then it might be a dead battery.
What You Will Need
- Motorcycle jumper cables
- Voltmeter
- Motorcycle with good battery
- Motorcycle with the dead battery
Instructions
Step 1: Check The Battery Voltages
The worst would be using too much power to jump start your motorcycle. It is crucial that you ensure both batteries have the same voltage. Using different voltages could lead to some damage to the electrical components of your motorcycle. Another tip is to make sure that the lights and any other electrical components of your bike are turned off.
Step 2: Align The Two Motorcycles
The two motorcycles have to be aligned or parked next to each other, but not touching. When they are close to each other, it should be easy to work on them by getting the jumper cable running from one to the other.
You have to remove the seat and side covers sometimes to have better access to the batteries. You do not want to keep fiddling a lot when trying to access power in constrained space.
Step 3: Connecting The Jumper Cables
Make sure that you understand the different color-coding of the cables. Most of the jumper cables would have one side colored in red, meaning positive while the other in black color, meaning negative.
Now that you know the different color codes, proceed to remove the protective terminal covers on the batteries before clamping the jumper terminals. Start by clamping the red cable to the dead battery on the positive side and do the same for the good battery.
The process is the same when connecting the negative terminal. Clamp firmly the negative side of the jumper cable to the good battery. Things are different for connecting the negative side of the dead battery. You have to connect the second end of your black jumper cable to a solid metal surface.
Clamping the negative to a solid metal is a way of grounding the dead battery before you can jumpstart.
Below is an image of how you should have wired the jumper cables up to now.
Step 4: Jumpstart Your Dead Battery Now
You could do a final check just to see if everything is wired correctly. You do not want to end up making any mistakes at this point.
Start the motorcycle with a good battery and let it idle for a couple of minutes. You can now start the motorcycle with the dead battery and also let it idle for a few minutes too.
Step 5: Disconnect The Jumper Cables
Start by disconnecting the black negative jumper cable from the motorcycle that had the dead battery and do the same for the other motorcycle. Remove also the clamped red positive jumper cables from either battery. You should be good to go at this point with your jump-started motorcycle.
Below is a great video that illustrates all you need to follow for this process
Method 2: Push start a motorcycle
The temperature is usually low in the morning when your bike won’t start. During such a dire situation, you should push your bike and immediately select first gear. Here is a trick to get your bike started. I hope it’s helpful.
First, you need to make sure your motorcycle actually needs a kick start before giving it a push start. If your motorcycle has a kickstand (for certain models), you should check its switches, gas levels, and key positions.
It is easiest to begin a motorcycle by sitting on it and having someone push you. If you get stranded alone, this option may not always be available.
The 2 Person Method
- Start the engine by inserting your key and turning the ignition on. Make sure the bike is in second gear when you are starting it.
- Pull the clutch while sitting on the bike and ask your friends to push you so that the bike can reach a speed of at least 5MPH or 8KMH.
- As soon as you reach top speed, push the starter and let go of the clutch.
- Pull the clutch in and give the engine some gas once it’s started, you’ll want to keep the RPM’s high.
- That’s it! You’re done! During the ride, let it charge the battery (at least 30 minutes).
The Solo Method
- Turn on the engine by inserting the key (and ensuring that the engine run switch is on as well).
- When you start the bike, put it in second gear to prevent jerky starts.
- Find a hill to roll down that gets the bike moving at least 5 mph or 8 kmph. Put the bike on your left side and push until you reach a decent jogging speed.
- As soon as you sit on the seat, drop the clutch and start the bike.
- Keep the RPMs high after pulling in the clutch and giving the engine a little gas.
- It’s done! You should let it charge for 30 minutes before going for a ride (at least).
Method 3: Jump Starting a Motorcycle Using a portable jump starter
Jump starters are incredibly useful for getting your bike running again if there is no other vehicle around. A portable jump starter is an easy way to jump-start a motorcycle
- Connect the positive battery terminal with the positive clip (red).
- Use the negative clip (black). Attach it to a metal surface on your bike.
- Make sure your motorcycle battery is set to the correct voltage (12 volts for most models).
- Make sure you only push the starter button for two or three seconds on your motorcycle. Try again after a few minutes if your bike doesn’t start; otherwise, your jump starter may damage.
- Remove the negative clip from your bike before you remove the positive clip.
- Charge your motorcycle’s battery by riding it for 15 to 30 minutes.
The moment you finish using your portable jump starter, recharge it as soon as possible so that you can use it again in the future.
Method 4: How to Jump A Motorcycle With A Car Battery.
Can you jump a motorcycle with a car?
It is common to get someone asking if you can jumpstart a motorcycle with a car battery. Well, the answer is yes. It is possible to use a car to get your dead motorcycle battery running again. Because this method carries a great deal of risk to the motorcycle, it should only be used in extreme cases. Using a car to jump a motorcycle can damage its electronics, but if you’re cautious, you can do it.
It is not a complex process as you might think. Let us get to check out how it all works.
What You Will Need
- Motorcycle jumper cables.
- A motorcycle with a dead battery and a car.
Side not on jump starting a motorcycle: No matter what you’re jumping into, it’s a dangerous move, whether it’s a car, truck, boat, motorcycle, tractor, plane, or anything else powered by electricity. Due to this, there are explosive- not just flammable- materials around! Whenever a final connection is made, a spark is always created. During their normal work cycle, lead-acid batteries produce hydrogen gas in most internal combustion vehicles. There have been serious injuries caused by sparks created near hydrogen and/or fuel! The good news is that it can be done safely. An extra hand and a jumper cable are recommended.
Instructions
Step-1:
Many people will get this step wrong, but it is the most important step. You need to assign who will jump-start the motorcycle and who will do the work before you embark on the task. Team members should keep track of all four jumpers (two on each end of the cable) if there are any misunderstandings. Keep it simple and connect with one person.
You should turn off both vehicles and make sure that all lights and equipment are turned off. You will need to remove the protective caps from both vehicles’ battery terminals. Until you are finished jumping your motorcycle, keep the car turned off. Then disconnect the jumper cables.
Step-2: Connect the red cables
You’ll be working with two vehicles, let’s say, a car with a charged up battery, and a motorcycle with a flat battery.
Make sure the red jumper cable is connected to the positive terminal of the dead bike’s battery.
Once this is completed, connect the other end of the red cable to the positive terminal in the car’s healthy battery.
Step-3:
Start the motorcycle by turning the key. It will start right up if the battery is not dead. Let it run for a few minutes before you take off the jumper cables.
Jumper cables should be disconnected in the reverse order in which they were connected. You must avoid touching anything metallic with the clamps until all cables have been disconnected. If you need to get a new battery or recharge your motorcycle, leave it running until you get it home.
Method 5: Kickstart a Motorcycle
In a way, a kickstart lever on a motorcycle is like a bench seat in a car: it’s an icon of nostalgia often forgotten by modern vehicles. Gas was cheap and you had to work hard before you could start your motorcycle.
The majority of dirt bikes today include a Kickstarter, however, most road bikes do not, with the exception of the 2015 Yamaha SR400.
For those who have always started their motorcycles by using the starter button, starting a motorcycle from scratch can be a new experience.
You can still kickstart your motorcycle easily in case your starter fails or for any other reason. Here are some steps.
Here are some tips and tricks to kickstart your motorcycle easily before we delve into tips and tricks.
- Put your bike in Neutral first. In most cases, your motorcycle will be in first gear before stopping in the last ride. You should switch to neutral gear when halting if that’s your habit.
- Alternatively, you should shift into neutral now.
- Hold down the clutch. You would have held the clutch while shifting from neutral to the next gear. As you sit on your motorcycle, keep holding the clutch.
- The third step is to get your motorcycle going. To start up the engine, push the foot down by your leg.
- After starting the motorcycle, change into first gear. When you release the clutch, also accelerate slowly to allow your motorcycle to begin moving forward.
Following our discussion of how to start a motorcycle, let us move on to a few simple tips to start the motorcycle. For your quick reference, here are a few suggestions:
- Ensure that your kick is as low as possible before kicking
- Consolidate your body weight and not just your legs
- If necessary, activate the throttle immediately after kicking
How did my motorcycle lose its battery?
There is the slightest difference between it being stopped for a long time and it having been downloaded. Battery charge is generated by the alternator while you’re driving and if you’re only going for a short ride (less than 20km) or leaving it sitting for a long time, the batteries will discharge.
Second, its load capacity has decreased or it is not there anymore since it is winding down its life cycle. Buying a new one is the only option.
Then there are other reasons that depend on the characteristics of our motorcycle. We can have alarms, keyless systems, heated grips, and wiring problems. There could be alternator failures too.
How to Avoid Running Out of Battery on the Motorcycle?
It is a good idea to disconnect the battery of your motorcycle if you will be leaving it unattended for some time. Two benefits come from this: you eliminate discharge and you eliminate sulfation. Lastly, there is the issue of the acid or acids in the battery water reacting and forming crystals over time, causing damage to the installation, as well as reducing battery life.
In the winter, you should remove the battery from your motorcycle if you plan to leave it in the dry dock. The cold is your enemy. Obviously, if you’re not sure what to do, ask for assistance. Keep in mind that they are electrocharged and acid-filled.
The battery is likely ‘fooling around’ when we are farsighted, but we can detect it before it leaves us stranded. There is a noticeable reduction in the energy with which it starts, as well as dimmer headlights.
The Takeways
This article was written to provide quick tips about how to jumpstart a motorcycle easily. Following these simple steps can save you time and frustration when it comes to getting your bike up-and-running again.
All in all, if you’re having trouble starting your motorcycle and are looking for a quick fix that will get it running again as quickly as possible, these tips should be of some use to you. If not, we’ll give them another shot next time! Remember the importance of safety first before jumping on your bike and trying any fixes yourself or with friends – make sure there is no possibility of injury by keeping hands away from moving parts when working on the engine. Have fun at the garage!