Okay...I believe there is a difference! With the clutch "IN", the starter only has to turn the engine and not the tranny too! That being said, more than likely the disengaged clutch will drag enough to turn the tranny anyway...so in the end it makes no difference!
More than likely! In a perfect world...it would make a difference!

 

since i leave it in gear when i park i always use the clutch.

 

No clutch here. On rare occasions, I'll start it in gear but the clutch doesn't engage as smoothly at first when I do...and I always leave it in gear when parked.

 

I always start in neutral with clutch in.

 

I always park in gear and shift to neutral before starting. Most of the time, will start the bike before I sit on the bike while putting on gear, so no clutch in.

For my 2008, if the bike is in gear with kick stand down and clutch not engaged, will not start.

 

I never hold the clutch it while starting my bike is always parked in neutral , i just roll it a little to make sure before i start it , same while waiting at a red light i never hold it in only when shifting .....

 

Clutch in. Saves transmission load on the starter, and it also 'breaks' any tendency for 'clutch drag'...that feeling that even when the lever is in, there's still a little pull on the bike. Pulling the clutch in during starting breaks that friction and will make for a much easier and quieter first shift into first.

 

I have a 2009 FXD and it won't start with "gear" + clutch= start. Does yours start this way?

 

It should. It's so you can make a quick get-away after stalling out in the middle of a busy intersection.

(Old thread... but, just to be a jerk, "clutch engaged" means the engine is connected to the transmission. "Clutch disengaged" means the engine is not connected to the transmission. You squeeze the clutch lever to disengage the clutch.)

 

Ever since I put new clutch lever with no switch sensor engagement, I just do it in neutral. Or else it won't turn on