Shift Into Neutral
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5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Shift Into Neutral
Ijust boughtan 05 Road King. The manual says to shift into neutral before shutting off engine and warns that shifting into neutral while not running (just before starting) can damage the gears.
Well what is wrong with just pulling in the clutch and starting it in first gear? The way themanual is written itseems like it coulddo damage. Any thoughts on this?
Well what is wrong with just pulling in the clutch and starting it in first gear? The way themanual is written itseems like it coulddo damage. Any thoughts on this?
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 14,865
Likes: 4
From: Mn.on a lake,well nxt to a lake.
RE: Shift Into Neutral
Ive allways shut mine off in neutral,been doing it this way for just about 30 yrs...Its a habbit,besides who reads [X(]owners manuals 
.....And I allways shut themoff with the kill switch.....
.....And I allways shut themoff with the kill switch.....
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 7,950
Likes: 4
RE: Shift Into Neutral
I just shut it off usually with first geat engaged. Ya ever try to park your bike on an incline with the gearbox in neutral??? But I usually shift into neutral be for starting the bike.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,319
Likes: 2
From:
RE: Shift Into Neutral
I always take my bike out of gear whenI shut it off . I dont know of any gear damage from starting them in gear but I do know a harley will start in gear which can result in damage to the bike by crashing into something. an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Road Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,240
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Shift Into Neutral
With all the stick shift autos I've had, I can't remember ever putting one in neutral to start it, stop it, or for any other reason. And I sure wouldn't leave one parked in neutral. So why do it withmy motorcycles.
[IMG]local://upfiles/1638/ED975EFD1ABA43AAAA7AABB63845BCB5.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]local://upfiles/1638/ED975EFD1ABA43AAAA7AABB63845BCB5.jpg[/IMG]
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 333
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, Arizona
RE: Shift Into Neutral
I will admit I am guilty of shifting to neutral before killing it. My Harley is my only car right now. I don't have a cage that's road legal. That's my legitimate reason for sticking to the book. I treat my Dyna like she has to last me until I die.
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Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 427
Likes: 0
From: Baltimore, MD
RE: Shift Into Neutral
I don't think you could do any harm. The guys make a good point of getting into a routine. The 08's require the clutch held in to start. My routine is when I park in the garage I'm always in neutral, but when parking anywhere else, I always leave it in first gear, I figure it might make it more difficult to steal. That is probably wishful thinking. But you can't harm the bike. Sometimes in is easier to get it into neutral when motor is off.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,649
Likes: 4
From: Celebration, FL
RE: Shift Into Neutral
Its tougher to find Neutral on my bike with the engine not running, but I've never damaged my tranny shifting with the bike shut down. I do park in Neutral unless I'm on an incline, then I park in gear.