Let me save you a trip to the dealer.

They all do that when they're cold. Start the bike in neutral so you don't put an unnecessary strain on the starter.

OR

Adjust the clutch push rod until it doesn't do it and you won't be able to go anywhere because the clutch won't engage.

 

Interesting discussion. After the first few forward pulls on my '12 EG with the clutch in, I now start in neutral. It does seem to be HD related, however, because this is the first bike in 45 years of riding that has to be started in neutral. The apparent HD exception may be the VROD. With its slipper clutch mine can be started in gear just like all my previous bikes.

 

Mine has also done this from day 1. I have never been able to adjust it out. Wet clutches do this. Just start it in neutral dude. Also some humility goes a long way here and at the dealer. Your the one asking for help.

 

So, after all of this, how do you know your clutch is OK as is or needs another trip to the dealer? Yes Harley clutches seem to "glue" themselves together, especially when cold (several previous rice poppers with wet clutches don't seem to do that) and it is "normal" for Harleys.

You have not described the free play on the lever (how far you can pull it away from the stop before feeling the first resistance) and how far from the handle grip the lever goes before you feel the machine start to move when starting out from a stop. The forward edge of the clutch lever should pull away from the stop about 1/8 of an inch before resistance is felt, the bike should have no tendency to creep forward when in gear with the clutch lever pulled all the way in, and there should be no tendency for the machine to move until the part of the lever which touches the grip when pulled in has moved away from the grip about an inch, plus or minus a little. If your clutch meets all of the above description, it is properly adjusted and a return trip to the service department will cause only embarrassment.

Also, as a clutch wears in, it changes slightly. When new, the amount of lever movement from fully disengaged to fully locked up is slightly larger than later on. When fully broken in, the lever movement from from fully disengaged to fully locked is smaller. Whatever "springiness" or "sponginess" in the plates when new disappears when fully broken in. This new "sponginess" may be making your clutch drag slightly even when the lever is against the grip even though the clutch is properly adjusted.

I have no experience with after market clutches. With my 08 Road King, it has always done as you described with your machine, and in addition, it still does it, to a lesser degree, when hot such as on a quick fuel stop. The machine doesn't lurch much, but the starter works harder and turns more slowly than when starting in neutral, and this is at 52,000 plus miles. If this plus most of the other inputs still leaves you confused or uncertain, get the Harley manual and do the easier stuff (clutch adjustments) yourself and you will have no doubts and become more familiar with your machine.

 

I have always started mine in 1st on all the bikes I have ridden. All the others but one being metrics. I never start mine in neutral because I HATE that dang clunk on a Harley when you put it in first gear. If it wears out my starter fine, I'd rather replace the starter than the transmission. Mine has done the same as yours since new. I have about 25000 on it now and it's still the same. Do whatever trips your trigger but it's going to lunge a little when it's cold. Doesn't bother me at all.

 

Mine has never lunged forward when starting, cold or not. Is this something more common on newer models? mines an 04.

 

My limited has done that since day 1. It has 8000 miles on it now. Always start in neutral with the clutch pulled in. It is normal, jut your bike's way of tellin you its time to hit the road. As posted above, I dont think you need a trip to the dealer, everything should be fine if you have not been abusing your bike, you will be alright for 2000 more miles until your next service, she is under warranty, ride the hell out of her. Good luck man.

 

You need to buy a starter than you will start it in neutral like your supposed to. **** what a dumb question.

 

If you start your bike in neutral and hold the clutch in long enough (1-2 minutes) the clunk will either go away or be minimized.

 

No offense but i seriously doubt that starting your bike in neutral, engaging the clutch and shifting in to first gear will wear out your transmission. But that`s cool, to each his own.