Starting in Neutral
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,478
Likes: 12
From: Nashville, TN
Never screwed up and tried to start my 08 in gear with the clutch out. I thought that might have changed, but the OP didn't mention the year of the bike.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,391
Likes: 4
From: Upstate NY
That is definitely one of those things you either have it or you don't. I always smile at one of my buddys when he sits there for two or three minutes fighting to find neutral. I noticed having a softer toed boot seems to help. If I wear my steel toes I aways have to try a few times to find neutral.
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 577
Likes: 6
From: Ravenna Ohio
I always shut mine down in first gear and leave it there while parked The bike will not role and fall over when getting on and off or after you have walked 2 feet away from it (Learned the hard way) I shift up to neutral when I am ready to start it.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 0
From: Central FL
I have a 2010 and mine will start in gear with clutch out......ask me how I know!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 12,986
Likes: 715
From: NE Philly
I don't have a problem finding neutral with my '07. Sometimes I'll slip it into 2nd, but I just put it back into 1st and half click it again. The second time is always the charm if the first shot doesn't work. I park in neutral unless the bike is on an incline. Then I'll leave it in 1st. But when I turn the key on, I always look for the neutral light. If I don't see it, I put it right into neutral.
I'm guessing the OP is just shifting too hard trying to get into neutral. It's there, you just have to have a soft touch.
I'm guessing the OP is just shifting too hard trying to get into neutral. It's there, you just have to have a soft touch.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 266
Likes: 0
From: Gilbert, AZ
one thing that works for me is to put it in neutral before I'm even stopped. seems easier to find while I'm rolling. and since I have a suicide shiftier on mine, I kinda have to find neutral before I stop.
Thread Starter
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 351
Likes: 1
From: Fl
Well, I finally hit 1000 miles and took it in for the scheduled service. I mentioned the problem to the tech and that it happens infrequently. He says it shouldn't matter if it's in gear or not and he'll check it out. He comes back and says it actually happened when he tried it. He found the clutch switch was sticking a little and lubed it. So I leave and make a quick stop on the way home. Go to start it again and got the same problem. I called the service department and said it happened again. Service guy says bring it in and he'll R&R the switch. I go in Saturday to get it done. I'll update if I go for a while with no problems.
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