I have a new '09 ultra Limited (103 motor) with about 30 miles. It's been sitting out in the cold garage. I went to start it today to move it. It was in 1st gear, clutch engaged, and the bike kicked forward a foot or so when it started. I restarted it a couple of times and the problem diminished although it still did it very slightly. When starting it in neutral and kicking it into first, again a very, very slight lundge forward. I owned other harleys and they occassionally had a very slight issue but not as bad as this. Is this a clutch issue or is it just something that will get better as the bike is ridden? Thanks.

 

What ya got is pretty much normal. With that fluid in there so cold, it will drag against the clutch, if you rode it til the juice was warm, ya wouldnt find this happening.

 

Sounds normal to me. When my bike is cold and has been sitting I start it in neutral and rev it a time or two with the clutch pulled in before I ever try to put it in gear. Let that sucker warm up a bit and you won't have any problems.

 

Yep just as the previous answers stated. Oil is cold. Ride it around the block and then start it and I bet it wont jump like that. I always start my cold bike in neutral but will start it when out and about in gear.

 

Thanks for the replies, you guys. I suspected this but this was not as pronounced on my other harleys.

 

Mine does the same thing when it's really cold.

 

Awesome question! I was thinking of posting that question because I had the same issue with my new deluxe. Glad to hear what the problem is.

Ride safe...

 

Sit on the bike and hold the brake and clutch while starting to avoid the lurch...

But, if yer not gonna ride it long enuff to heat the oil up, don't even bother starting it. Moisture condensates in the engine, and contaminates the oil if it doesn't get sufficiently warm enough to boil off the moisture.

 

Even with the fluids warmed up it may do the same.Part of the secret is having the clutch adjusted correctly,and using the right fluid.

 

As long as don't lurch or skip when warmed up should have nothing to worry about .. Been given good advice here...