Hello,

My 2018 Sportster 48 is clicking when I push the start button, but not starting up due to an obviously low battery. If I get a jump start, do I need to pull the battery out from to attach jumper cables? Also, can one jumper cable be attached to the positive terminal and the other cable attached to a bolt on the frame or stand?

Thanks

 

The best thing is to charge or replace the battery, failing that you can boost but have the boosting vehicle off, attach the positive to the positive battery terminal and the negative to the engine ground stud on the top of the transmission and remove it as soon as the bike starts so your charging system isn't trying to charge both batteries.

 

Thanks so much!

 

The charging systems on bikes are not meant to charge a battery, they maintain them at full charge. You should really get the battery charged properly as soon as you can.

 

This just happened to my 2018 48 a couple weeks ago. Went to start it and click click. Shocked me because it’s only a year old. (New to me though, just got from dealer) I charged it overnight with a CTEK MUS charger. (Is it ok to say brands here?) it has fired up great since. So I’m assuming the dealer didn’t charge it much. Seems to be a fine battery now. I haven’t jumped it by a car before though.

 

The fact a battery is 12 volts nominal 12.6 volts charged and the regulator puts out around 14.4 volts will charge the battery. Something has to replenish what was taken out by starting the bike.

I grant you the system is not designed to try and recondition a flat battery as some of the clever chargers do like the c-tek.

 

Yes, you can attach the positive to the battery and the ground to the frame (for a jump or charging or battery tender).

Yes, best to replace or charge current battery than jump.

But if emergency need to jump, an isolated booster battery on a cart or a jump from a non running vehicle may be best.

Good luck.

 

Thanks to all of you for your helpful responses. Today, AAA came by and jump started the battery and got my Sportster 48 running again. The AAA driver got my bike started through a device the size of a cereal box and connected his pos cable to the my bike's pos cable and grounded his negative cable and the 48 started no problem. I was told that if starting my Harley through another car, that car should have the engine off or the charge could damage the Harley electrical system.

Big relief! I didn't relish having a tow truck driver load the bike on the truck to take to the dealer. Thanks again.

 

Yes those new fangled booster packs are awesome.

 

Get something like this....it will save you if you need to jump your car, truck, or motorcycle. Also can help any fellow riders stranded on the road. It is a charger/jumper. I carry one all the time and have one in all my vehicles.

Install one of these on your battery for no hassle connection to charge or jump your battery. I especially like it when I need to charge the battery with a battery tender.