Battery is Dead: No tender. Car Jump start?
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Squid
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 70
From: Portland Oregon
Battery is Dead: No tender. Car Jump start?
Hello,
More Hell than o right now. You see i rode my bike to the supermarket, while at work, then got back outside, and the battery was dead.
So now my bike is stuck there, any suggestions?
More Hell than o right now. You see i rode my bike to the supermarket, while at work, then got back outside, and the battery was dead.
So now my bike is stuck there, any suggestions?
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 3,871
From: Phoenix, AZ
You can jump it, just don't turn the car on- both are 12v systems. Or, if you're good, you can bump start it- just roll it forward in first gear and drop the clutch. I've never needed to bump start the Shawk, but have done it on other bikes (my shadow required this on a regular basis until I caved in and bought a battery).
Thread Starter
Member
Squid
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 70
From: Portland Oregon
Haha, thanks. I tried to bump start it, unsuccessfuly, but while i was walking back to work, i was wondering if it would have been easier to bump it in 2nd.. Shouldve tried but it was too damn hot to do another 15mph sprint with my 400+ lb bike.
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MotoGP
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,942
From: Lake View Terrace, CA
Retired- but not tired!
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,481
From: Pittsburgh
I was apparenly very lucky. I jump started mine the very first day I took possession.
Similar situation, took it off the UHaul trailer on a Supermarket lot across from Uhaul where the trailer needed to be returned. Was planning to ride about 6 blocks to home after dropping off the trailer. Turned the key, battery too weak to start. (It started fine the day before when I bought it)
I did jump it from my car battery not realizing the risk I was taking. But it all worked out fine, my bike started &my electrical system did not fry. But I honestly can't say for sure whether my car was running or not, I don't remember that.
"I'd rather be lucky than good.."
Similar situation, took it off the UHaul trailer on a Supermarket lot across from Uhaul where the trailer needed to be returned. Was planning to ride about 6 blocks to home after dropping off the trailer. Turned the key, battery too weak to start. (It started fine the day before when I bought it)
I did jump it from my car battery not realizing the risk I was taking. But it all worked out fine, my bike started &my electrical system did not fry. But I honestly can't say for sure whether my car was running or not, I don't remember that.
"I'd rather be lucky than good.."
Last edited by CrankenFine; May 4, 2011 at 02:46 PM. Reason: typo/punctuation
Mid-level Member
Superstock
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 268
From: Chicago
+1 on jumping from a car battery with the car engine OFF. you'll be amazed at how fast your starter turns. pull the cables off quick once it's started. bump-starting an SH... i wouldn't even consider it unless you have a hill pointing down.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,452
From: San Clemente, CA
A big +1!
If you try to bump it in 1st, there's a good chance you'll end up going down, since you'll probably lock up the rear wheel...or wheelie for the first block if you give it too much throttle and it starts.
Years ago on previous bikes, when I lived in a condo without a garage, and therefore without a way to charge my battery, bump starting in 2nd while rolling down the hill was a regular experience.
I probably bumped my '86 Nighthawk S and my '83 BMW R100RS over 100 times during the 10 year period when I lived there. That was mostly during winter, if I hadn't ridden to work in over a week. Fortunately I had a long steep hill leading away from my condo. The Beemer was real cold blooded.
If you try to bump it in 1st, there's a good chance you'll end up going down, since you'll probably lock up the rear wheel...or wheelie for the first block if you give it too much throttle and it starts.
Years ago on previous bikes, when I lived in a condo without a garage, and therefore without a way to charge my battery, bump starting in 2nd while rolling down the hill was a regular experience.
I probably bumped my '86 Nighthawk S and my '83 BMW R100RS over 100 times during the 10 year period when I lived there. That was mostly during winter, if I hadn't ridden to work in over a week. Fortunately I had a long steep hill leading away from my condo. The Beemer was real cold blooded.
Last edited by VTRsurfer; May 5, 2011 at 09:29 PM.
Senior Member
MotoGP
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,066
From: NYC
The (slight) trick is to do it in 2nd but also to turn on the key at the last second and hit the starter as you jump on the seat and drop the clutch. It is worth getting it to the top of any small slope. I have jumped the hawk like 20-something times & it always sucks. Buy one of these for dirt cheap bucks and leave it on float. Bike batteries never get enuff charge inless you take long trips.
Automatic Battery Float Charger & Other Automatic Battery Chargers - Harbor Freight
Automatic Battery Float Charger & Other Automatic Battery Chargers - Harbor Freight
Retired- but not tired!
SuperBike
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,481
From: Pittsburgh
The (slight) trick is to do it in 2nd but also to turn on the key at the last second and hit the starter as you jump on the seat and drop the clutch. It is worth getting it to the top of any small slope. I have jumped the hawk like 20-something times & it always sucks. Buy one of these for dirt cheap bucks and leave it on float. Bike batteries never get enuff charge inless you take long trips.
Automatic Battery Float Charger & Other Automatic Battery Chargers - Harbor Freight
Automatic Battery Float Charger & Other Automatic Battery Chargers - Harbor Freight
Jack of all Master of non
Superstock
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 297
From: Jacksonville,fl
you can do it from a car but if you start it dont leave the cables hooked up, just pup them on to start the bike a nd then remove them or you will fry the electronics. the car at idle will not hurt the bike but DO NOT REV THE CAR or it will damage the bike.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 231
From: Saint Paul, MN
Same thing happened to me two days ago. Stopped for gas and the battery was too weak to turn it over. A guy tried to help me bump start, but I put it in first gear and that got nowhere (been so long since I've had to do that, I forgot about the good advice to be in 2nd gear). Jumped from his minivan and the bike's ok. I like the idea of running a trickle charger; I suspect my daily commute is draining the battery more than charging it.
Senior Member
Back Marker
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 231
From: Saint Paul, MN
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