Jump starting your Harley
Jump starting your Harley
I could not find a thread about what the procedure is for jump starting your bike if it has a CAN Bus system.
Some say it is ok to jump at the starter, some say no, others say only 22 and newer bikes shouldn't be jumped.
What is the real scoop on this topic?
Some say it is ok to jump at the starter, some say no, others say only 22 and newer bikes shouldn't be jumped.
What is the real scoop on this topic?
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From: Honah Lee
Harley does not recommend and says it there top of page, but it realizes sometimes it may be necessary in a real emergency.
If your absolutely certain your battery is OK and just low from leaving lights on, then it's OK to jump it. Just hook it directly to the battery and then the frame ground.
Should have the jumping vehicle off.
If there is any question that there is a issue, jumping it to start it and there is a issue with battery, it could damage the regulator trying to charge a bad battery.
Maybe even damage the stator inside the primary buried behind the chain and compensator.
That is a big dollar fix.
I would not ever jump a Harley at home. Put it on the maintenance charger and charge it.
I would not do it away unless you consider the risk is worth the cost.
PS. We have been round and round with this..
Look it up in your owners manual. Its under Battery. It's there blow by blow order to hookup and unhook.
If your absolutely certain your battery is OK and just low from leaving lights on, then it's OK to jump it. Just hook it directly to the battery and then the frame ground.
Should have the jumping vehicle off.
If there is any question that there is a issue, jumping it to start it and there is a issue with battery, it could damage the regulator trying to charge a bad battery.
Maybe even damage the stator inside the primary buried behind the chain and compensator.
That is a big dollar fix.
I would not ever jump a Harley at home. Put it on the maintenance charger and charge it.
I would not do it away unless you consider the risk is worth the cost.
PS. We have been round and round with this..
Look it up in your owners manual. Its under Battery. It's there blow by blow order to hookup and unhook.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; May 25, 2026 at 05:01 PM.
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From: Unreconstructed
Booster Portable Battery Pack | Harley-Davidson USA
Last edited by snake_eyes; May 26, 2026 at 02:52 PM.
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From: backwoods
I but I'm also not worried about needing a jump.
Booster PortableSA
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From: New Hampsha
They're freekin' awesome! I can jump my Mercedes 4 cylinder Diesel 3 or 4 times without having to recharge it.
[Edit] Looks like they're up to about $100 now.
Last edited by John CC; May 26, 2026 at 04:00 PM.
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The have gone up a lot the last 5?7 years. But does have some tax on it
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From: Unreconstructed
Last edited by snake_eyes; May 26, 2026 at 04:31 PM.
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From: backwoods
I added pigtail to one bike. You need to make you get right style ends. The one I bought came with adapter for tender
Thought might be annoying to put them on every time. Could tape the tender adapter on
Not sure why this is dyna section
Thought might be annoying to put them on every time. Could tape the tender adapter on
Not sure why this is dyna section
Last edited by Rounders; May 26, 2026 at 04:01 PM.