Jump start advisory
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,536
Likes: 6,411
From: Honah Lee
WOW. Interestingly it doesn't say why.
And if you Google. 'Has Harley Davidson put out warning to not jump start 2023.5 -2026 model Harleys' ....... It's not from Harley Davidson....
However I have made numerous post that in my opinion, I would not jump start any Harley unless it's an emergency.
My reason is there usually is a real issue with the battery that has lead to it not starting. And yes, you may have left the lights on and ran battery low. But doing that and running the battery very low can damage batteries.
My thoughts are if you jump it, your using a very expensive charging system to bring battery back that just may be ruined by a bad battery.
Batteries can sometimes be brough back with a low amperage maintenance charger over a few day. My experience is however there not the same after really draining a AGM or a car battery.
Motorcycle good batteries are say 340 CCA. It only needs 150 of that normal. Say you use a car with 600 CCA. The bike system only uses what it needs. The damage occurs when it's running on its own trying to charge a bad battery.
Now that FB thread is saying something else is involved with those late 2023.5 -2026 model Harleys. My opinion not a bad idea but there probably a hidden agenda behind it.
And if you Google. 'Has Harley Davidson put out warning to not jump start 2023.5 -2026 model Harleys' ....... It's not from Harley Davidson....
However I have made numerous post that in my opinion, I would not jump start any Harley unless it's an emergency.
My reason is there usually is a real issue with the battery that has lead to it not starting. And yes, you may have left the lights on and ran battery low. But doing that and running the battery very low can damage batteries.
My thoughts are if you jump it, your using a very expensive charging system to bring battery back that just may be ruined by a bad battery.
Batteries can sometimes be brough back with a low amperage maintenance charger over a few day. My experience is however there not the same after really draining a AGM or a car battery.
Motorcycle good batteries are say 340 CCA. It only needs 150 of that normal. Say you use a car with 600 CCA. The bike system only uses what it needs. The damage occurs when it's running on its own trying to charge a bad battery.
Now that FB thread is saying something else is involved with those late 2023.5 -2026 model Harleys. My opinion not a bad idea but there probably a hidden agenda behind it.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Mar 8, 2026 at 05:58 PM.
Road Master
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 846
Likes: 696
From: Near Memphis
I looked through the Harley Service Information Portal (SIP). There you can find service dept notes, service bulletins, tech manuals, wiring diagrams etc. which is the source for tech info from Harley and there is no mention of this anywhere. You guys are getting excited about something a single dealer posted (with a suggestion to see them about buying stuff...hint...hint). This doesn't pass the sniff test for me. I've jumped my '24 SG a couple of times using HD's recommended procedure with no issues.
Get a good tender, and just go ride.
Get a good tender, and just go ride.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,143
Likes: 11,218
From: San Diego, CA
For many years, it has frequently caused problems if you jump started a Harley from a running car....
But as far as I know, jump starting an older HD was OK with a car that was NOT running, or a jump pack...
Not being able to jump start a Harley at all, sounds fishy to me..... OR..... it's the next step, evolution for bikes with even more and/or sensitive electronics......
But as far as I know, jump starting an older HD was OK with a car that was NOT running, or a jump pack...
Not being able to jump start a Harley at all, sounds fishy to me..... OR..... it's the next step, evolution for bikes with even more and/or sensitive electronics......
HD EFI Guru
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 4,480
Likes: 4,759
I looked through the Harley Service Information Portal (SIP). There you can find service dept notes, service bulletins, tech manuals, wiring diagrams etc. which is the source for tech info from Harley and there is no mention of this anywhere. You guys are getting excited about something a single dealer posted (with a suggestion to see them about buying stuff...hint...hint). This doesn't pass the sniff test for me. I've jumped my '24 SG a couple of times using HD's recommended procedure with no issues.
Get a good tender, and just go ride.
Get a good tender, and just go ride.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 38,536
Likes: 6,411
From: Honah Lee
And in a real emergency, it you fry the regulator or stator before the end of the day, that's the price you pay. Then you replace the battery along with the charging system. If not, all is good.
Either way, a learned common sense is what makes one smart. One is not born with or inherit common sense.
Last edited by Jackie Paper; Mar 8, 2026 at 07:52 PM.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
|
HDF Community Team
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,925
Likes: 580
From: The 1980's
The unofficial word I get it that jump starting is not recommended mainly for bikes with radios. The person also says he's never seen batteries go dead so often as they do in the new bikes.