Push starting a 6th Gen

In the event my battery won't start the bike, can I coast and let the clutch out in 1st or 2nd to start the engine?

 

You should be able to as long as there is a little juice left in the battery. Left the key on too long several times myself and had to bump start .

 

I suppose it would work assuming that the battery has at least enough juice to prime the fuel pump and pressurize the fuel system. If the battery is completely dead I doubt it would work.

Rollin

 

Why don't you try to bump start your bike now, instead of when it dies? You can practice to get it to fire within three steps vs running down the road with it.

 

Always works for me in second.

 

I've done it once...in first...no problem Didn't have to get my boy to push very fast either. Worked like a charm. I am still running my original 2006 battery with 87 thousand or so miles on it. I have a new battery sitting in the garage waiting to go but the original is running strong still. I am totally surprised at that.

 

1st gear for me.

 

3rd is much better than first, less likely to slide the tire.

 

2nd has allways worked for me. With the excetion of my 82 magna... 3rd for it a few times. Until the demonic little b*tch finally fried the electrical completely after a summer down pour. Best-worst bike I ever fought with.

 

Had wondered the same thing myself a few times and havan't had the nuts to try it.

 

I have never seen anyone have any luck push starting a fuel injected bike with a dead battery. Not saying it can't be done, I am just saying I have never seen any one get it done.

 

I did it a few times with my old '94 CBF F2 (carb) and this summer with my '08 VFR. I agree with the being in a gear higher than 1st (2nd always works for me), the only thing I would add is open the throttle a little bit.

 

I've never had cause to push start my VFR, but I had the pleasure of pushing my 954 a number of times. You can push start fuel injected motor as long as there's enough juice left to make the ECU come online and at the least get the fuel pump primed. If it has enough to prime completely then it's pretty easy, if only a bit, then it you'll need a longer run and probably a higher gear.

I've started in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. I found, with the CBR, that 1st had a propensity for locking the rear wheel, and it was tricky when the engine would suddenly come to life and deliver a burst of power. 2nd and 3rd were most desirable for me, depending on what incline and distance I had. If I had the room to build up some momentum and speed, I much preferred 3rd, but 2nd would work with a shorter distance.

You could probably use 3rd on a slight incline if your battery is at the point where everything powers up but you only get the clicking. It's pretty easy. You shuld be able to sit astride the bike and walk/waddle it that way until it builds up enough speed to stay up and carry you down the hill. Once you've built up enough momentum to keep the bike rolling when you engage the clutch, then give it. The higher gearing of 3rd will make this a bit safer and easier to control. There really shouldn't be anything to fear in trying this when your battery is fully charged. It's best to know how to do it before the need arises.

Have fun.

 

I appreciate the detailed advice everyone.

G