Jump Start
Thread Starter
|
Cruiser
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 231
Likes: 1
From: London Ont
Jump Start
What's the easiest way to jumpstart an Ultra Limited.? I'm thinking of buying one of those jumpstart battery paks. Getting to the battery terminals not that easy especially on the road. Can you use the tender cable or 12 volt plug on inner fairing or in tourpak?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 6,500
Likes: 332
From: Blue Grass (KY)
First question? Why are needing to jump start your motorcycle? A battery tender will make your battery last over 4 years. If it's older than that, have it check. If you going on a trip and its old, replace it.
Now, if you're on the road and something happens, like leaving the ignition on, the best way to jump any motorcycle is:
Hook cables to motorcycle, have the jumping vehicle turned off! The charging system on cars, trucks is too high an output for the motorcycle electrical system, when jumping vehicle is off hook the cables to the jumping vehicle. Allow the jumping vehicles battery to charge up the motorcycle battery for a few minutes, do not start the jumping vehicle while hooked to motorcycle, unhook all cables and then attempt to start the motorcycle. If it won't start, call a shop and get a new battery after having the electrical system checked.
Another way is to remove the motorcycle battery from the bike, charge with a battery charger or from a running vehicle. No damage to bikes electrical system because battery is removed.
Now, if you're on the road and something happens, like leaving the ignition on, the best way to jump any motorcycle is:
Hook cables to motorcycle, have the jumping vehicle turned off! The charging system on cars, trucks is too high an output for the motorcycle electrical system, when jumping vehicle is off hook the cables to the jumping vehicle. Allow the jumping vehicles battery to charge up the motorcycle battery for a few minutes, do not start the jumping vehicle while hooked to motorcycle, unhook all cables and then attempt to start the motorcycle. If it won't start, call a shop and get a new battery after having the electrical system checked.
Another way is to remove the motorcycle battery from the bike, charge with a battery charger or from a running vehicle. No damage to bikes electrical system because battery is removed.
Sponsor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 8,538
Likes: 1,646
From: SF Bay area
If you get the Antigravity brand jump starter they sell a heavy duty harness that hooks to your bike like a tender harness, then the jumper just plugs in.
It's a nice clean setup.
__________________________________________________ ____
For ROCKOUT information & purchasing please click the LINKS below...
It's a nice clean setup.
__________________________________________________ ____
For ROCKOUT information & purchasing please click the LINKS below...
__________________
NO, they DON'T all do that!
ROCKOUT rocker shaft inserts... make the tapping STOP! From the guy that FOUND and CURED the problem NO ONE ELSE COULD, thank you for your support!
Ordering & info http://www.rockout.biz On ebay! ... CLICK HERE
Also on amazon.com...
Imitated, never equaled... ROCKOUTS!
Ordering & info http://www.rockout.biz On ebay! ... CLICK HERE
Also on amazon.com...
Imitated, never equaled... ROCKOUTS!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,857
Likes: 2,506
From: Lake Orion, MI
Having the antigraity jump starter is a valuable tool - I have one in my truck and take it when I go boating. More often than not, a boater needs a jump. I will probably take it with me on long bike trips - heading to MT from MI this summer.
The connector does add some benefits. I do wish someone made a reverse plug - so I could connect the antigravity charger to the current bike tender leads.
The connector does add some benefits. I do wish someone made a reverse plug - so I could connect the antigravity charger to the current bike tender leads.
Sponsor
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 8,538
Likes: 1,646
From: SF Bay area
Having the antigraity jump starter is a valuable tool - I have one in my truck and take it when I go boating. More often than not, a boater needs a jump. I will probably take it with me on long bike trips - heading to MT from MI this summer.
The connector does add some benefits. I do wish someone made a reverse plug - so I could connect the antigravity charger to the current bike tender leads.
The connector does add some benefits. I do wish someone made a reverse plug - so I could connect the antigravity charger to the current bike tender leads.
I think the current from jump starting would fry the thin battery tender leads.
__________________________________________________ ____
For ROCKOUT information & purchasing please click the LINKS below...
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 7,681
Likes: 8,413
From: Utah
The Battery Tender leads are too small.
Connect the positive from the Jump Starter to the positive lug on the starter and the Negative to the frame. Much easier than getting to the battery and no extra wires
Connect the positive from the Jump Starter to the positive lug on the starter and the Negative to the frame. Much easier than getting to the battery and no extra wires
Intermediate
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 25
Likes: 2
From: Chicagoland
I just had to jump start my '16 RK this week. I tried jumping it with the good car off but it would not turn over. As soon as I made sure my ground was good, I turned the good car's engine on, bike fired right up. No damage at all. Idk if this is the "correct way" but it worked for me.
Trending Topics
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,191
Likes: 233
From: North East, MD
The fuse in the battery tender harness will blow if you attempt to jump start the bike through it.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 4,214
Likes: 661
From: Prior Lake, MN
I just had to jump start my '16 RK this week. I tried jumping it with the good car off but it would not turn over. As soon as I made sure my ground was good, I turned the good car's engine on, bike fired right up. No damage at all. Idk if this is the "correct way" but it worked for me.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,857
Likes: 2,506
From: Lake Orion, MI
Thanks for the input on the tender wires. As the OP mentioned, the jumpstart battery pack might be a good option - however, I would need to buy the connector.
My main reason for all of this is, not for the motorcycle but for my backup generator. The house has a backup and the generator is about 5 years old. I am on my third battery. The battery is small and if you don't check the generator and/or charge the battery periodically, it will not start.
One day we lost power it would not crank. It does have a pull start - but trust me, I still could not start it. I have since installed a battery tender to keep it full. However, thought, if I could connect my jumpstart to the battery, all would be OK. Problem is - getting to the batter on the Generac generator is worst than on the bike. So, I would need those cables - cost is $27.00
My jumpstart only cost me a net of $9.99. Here is a tip - got to Amazon order one - apply for their card and get a $70 instant credit. So, the final cost was just the $9.99
My main reason for all of this is, not for the motorcycle but for my backup generator. The house has a backup and the generator is about 5 years old. I am on my third battery. The battery is small and if you don't check the generator and/or charge the battery periodically, it will not start.
One day we lost power it would not crank. It does have a pull start - but trust me, I still could not start it. I have since installed a battery tender to keep it full. However, thought, if I could connect my jumpstart to the battery, all would be OK. Problem is - getting to the batter on the Generac generator is worst than on the bike. So, I would need those cables - cost is $27.00
My jumpstart only cost me a net of $9.99. Here is a tip - got to Amazon order one - apply for their card and get a $70 instant credit. So, the final cost was just the $9.99