jump starting a bike
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Joined: Apr 2006
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jump starting a bike
can you jump start a bike off of a car or truck was reading a post about you can hurt the alt. dont need to do this now but would like to know the correct way of doing this so i dont screw things up later also if a battery is dead and you jump start it how long do you need to ride it to charge it if it can even be charged after a jump thanks for any help
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Joined: Jan 2008
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RE: jump starting a bike
Make the connection at the bike first. DO NOT have the vehicle running when you connect to it, DO NOT start the vehicle you are connecting to. I have never had a problem by doing it this way. Ride a tank of fuel through it and you should be fine, if that doesn't work hit the ol' battery store!
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Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Detroit
Maybe the battery was already bad, and that's why he needed a jump?
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,557
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From: Texas
jumping a motorcycle off of a car battery is not a problem...I have done it many times. Although, I usually do not have the car running so the cranking voltage doesn't get too high during the start cycle.
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Alberta
Brothers bike had an "oversize" aftermarket starter and a POS aftermarket carb; would flood and kill the battery in less than 60 seconds of cranking. Boosted it a few times with battery from my truck, truck NOT running. Once boosted an oilfield engine and the draw on the RUNNING truck caused an alternator spike and wrecked $2G worth of modules; this after years of boosting from a running truck. I'll never boost anything again from MY running vehicle. (I realize that a HD would never draw that much) If it won't start right away, then fix what's wrong. In the case of bro's bike, put a stock starter and re-jetted stock carb on and it's a happy machine once again.
To sum up; I'd use smaller cables (my super gauge oilfield cables not necessary) and boost from the battery of my truck any day, with the truck NOT running...hooking to ground on bike frame and pos on bike battery; pos and neg terminals on truck. BTW; my local bike shop confirmed all the above.
To sum up; I'd use smaller cables (my super gauge oilfield cables not necessary) and boost from the battery of my truck any day, with the truck NOT running...hooking to ground on bike frame and pos on bike battery; pos and neg terminals on truck. BTW; my local bike shop confirmed all the above.
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Joined: Oct 2012
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From: Boise, ID
I would personally do it from a non running vehicle just to play it safe. I can not confirm nor deny that doing so from a running vehicle damages anything.
Better yet but a booster pack and then you can jump start yourself !
Better yet but a booster pack and then you can jump start yourself !