Starting a car is an intuitive and straightforward process. You get in, you depress the brake, and you turn the key. But starting a motorcycle requires more skill and practice.
In this guide, we will discuss how to start both the carburetor and fuel-injected bikes. We will also delve into how to kick-start a motorcycle, as well as how to start a bike with a dead battery. Let’s proceed!
Popular culture has burned the image of the kick-start motorcycle into many people’s minds. Contrary to belief, most modern motorcycles start with an ignition key, similar to a car. That said, depending on your bike, there may be a few extra steps involved.
With a fuel-injected bike, that’s all there is to it. You have successfully started your motorcycle!
If your motorcycle has a carburetor, slowly push the choke in as the engine warms up. This can take as little as a minute or as long as five minutes, depending on the motorcycle and the weather. Once the motor idles smoothly with the choke off, you’re ready to ride away.
While most bikes utilize an electric start motor, there are still several kick start motorcycles in circulation. Some of these are older models, which are still on the road. In fact, prior to the 1969 Honda CB750, every motorcycle was a kick start.
Many motorcycles are still produced with kick-starters to this day. For one thing, they are a useful backup in the event of a dead battery or a blown starter, so many electric-start bikes have a kickstarter, as well. For another, some people simply crave the authenticity of kick-only models.
Finally, many dirt bikes are kick-starters. In this case, the main issue is weight. Electric starters weigh more than kick-starters, and dirt bikes are designed to be as light as possible.
Thankfully, while kick-starting a bike requires a strong right leg, it is relatively simple. First, follow the same steps you would follow for an electric-start motorcycle, right up to the point where you press the ignition button.
Instead, you will need to swing out the kick-starter and press down with your right foot until you feel resistance. This lets you know your pistons are at the top dead center so that you will get the benefit of a full stroke.
Brace yourself with your other leg, and push down hard. The kick should be executed in one fluid motion, not a jerky one. In addition, you should push as far as the starter will allow. Remember, you want to push the motor through a full rotation. The smoother the motion, the more efficient the bike will start.
Unless you are very experienced — or blessed with beginner’s luck — the motor probably won’t start the first time. Wait for the return spring to fully return the kick-starter, and give it another try. When the engine does start, remember to fold up the kick-starter before you drive away.
One advantage motorcycles have over cars is that they are easier to start with a dead battery. You don’t need any jumper cables, and you don’t need another vehicle. In fact, you don’t need any tools at all.
Jump starting (sometimes known as bump starting or push starting) takes advantage of the fact that the wheels can turn the motorcycle’s engine. Turn the wheels fast enough, and you achieve the same effect as a kick-starter.
First, make sure that your battery is dead. Even experienced bikers can forget to turn on the killswitch, for example. Double-check your switch, your battery, and your connections.
Assuming the battery is dead, go through your usual engine start-up routine. Turn on your petcock, turn on your key, activate the killswitch, and lift the kickstand. However, you’ll need to put the transmission in first gear, not neutral.
If you have company, pull in the clutch and get your friends to push you. When the bike is moving faster than 5 mph, let the clutch out quickly. At this point, the motor should turn over and start. Open the throttle, and rev up the engine a bit to keep going.
If you are by yourself, jump-starting becomes a bit more challenging. You will have to push the bike forward yourself while holding in the clutch. You will need to get moving faster than 5 MPH, then jump onto the bike and release the clutch. Depending on the size of your motorcycle, this can be mildly annoying or an intense workout.
An alternative method is to “cheat” by using gravity to get you started. If you’re lucky enough to be near a hill and you can roll down, do so! Sit on the bike, roll forward until you are moving along at a good clip, and pop the clutch.
Regardless of how you obtain your initial forward momentum, remember that the bike still needs to warm up. Keep the engine revving or the bike moving forward until your motor is hot. If you come to a stop and lay off the throttle with a cold engine, it is liable to stall.