Hay dudes, I have a 2007 1200C bought it used last fall. This is my first post so please be gentle. Is it normal for the bike not to start in first gear with the clutch pulled in. Mine does not. It has 12 inch mini apes and chrome levers and switches, all after market I assume. Thanks for your input.

 

Mine's an '06, so it's carbed while yours is injected, but mine will start with the clutch pulled in in first. There may be something in all the extra electronics on your bike that prevents it from starting in first so the bike won't jump forward when you go turn it on. I'm not sure, someone with an EFI can chime in and confirm or correct me.

 

Mine will but only done it once. Try rocking KT back and forth a little then try. I always start in neutral as well as park it in neutral

 

I don't think there should be an issue starting in first. I do it on my 12' all the time

 

Sounds like either the clutch switch wiring got screwed up by whoever put the mini-apes on the bike or the clutch switch itself has failed. An '07 Sporty should start in gear as long as you have the clutch lever pulled in.

 

my 2000 doesn't even care if the clutch is pulled in or not. Did that at an entrance to a ralley and almost dumped needless to say felt like a Neeewbie that morning. Of course none of my friends seem to be able to forget about it either, Bas...rds all of them.

 

Welcome from NoCal.

 

The 07 and later bikes have a clutch interlock switch, the bike must either be in neutral OR have the clutch pulled in. It sounds like your interlock isn't working and it's likely the switch was damaged or the wiring screwed up during the bar installation.

THAT SAID, because you have a wet clutch, starting the bike with it in gear, even with the clutch pulled in, is hard on the starter and battery due to clutch plate drag and is not a good idea.

 

My 2007 1200C Custom has no problem starting in first (or any gear for that matter) when the clutch is pulled in and won't turn over if in gear and the clutch is not pulled in. I always park and start mine in neutral but after reading this post I hoped down to the garage and tried it out.

 

Get it fixed, ...if you're at a busy intersection and it stalls in 1st, you wanna grab the clutch, and hit the starter and go.
If you have to fumble trying to find neutral you could get rear ended.