jump starting harleys
Road Warrior
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 2
From: Deltona, FL
RE: jump starting harleys
It can be done, and sometimes that is your only choice. My only recommendation is to only jump off the battery and not with the vehicle actually running. A car/truck electrical system is still 12V, but it runs more amperage than our Harley electrics. At least going off only the battery you can limit the risk.
I should add that a lot of the "old school" wisdom is still passed down. Harleys used to run a 6V system when cars werea 12V system and back then you really could burn out the electrical system by jumping off of a car/truck.
I should add that a lot of the "old school" wisdom is still passed down. Harleys used to run a 6V system when cars werea 12V system and back then you really could burn out the electrical system by jumping off of a car/truck.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 818
Likes: 0
From:
RE: jump starting harleys
I second the idea of not having the car/truck running. A buddy of mine blew out his charging system doing this. You can also push start your bike (put it in 3rd gear) get a roll, then pop clutch.
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Tourer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 463
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From:
RE: jump starting harleys
Unless of course, you have *electronic* fuel injection. The lines won't be pressurized if it's completely dead...
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 589
Likes: 0
From:
RE: jump starting harleys
Take all the usual safety precausions etc.
Watch for grounding,,,same as usual...and it
should be just fine...I use a portable battery pac
just for a little more control over the situation....
Watch for grounding,,,same as usual...and it
should be just fine...I use a portable battery pac
just for a little more control over the situation....
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,273
Likes: 7
From:
RE: jump starting harleys
Jumping from a cager battery is fine. Do Not have the cage running. Preferable method is to attache cage battery neg cable to a frame ground and as you start the bike, touch the cage pos cable to the bike battery pos terminal.