Clutch in while starting in ( N ) ?
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Clutch In
I remember standing outside a bar and a newbie-type on a Sporty pulled up and backed in next to a few baggers; his tailpipe bit the curb as he cut the engine, so he quickly started it back up and popped the clutch not knowing if he was in neutral or first and I remember this because the two guys standing next to the baggers LEAPED not to help the sporty but to shield the baggers with their bodies in case he fell over...needless to say this guy was so embarrassed he left soon after.
Anyway my 95 Sportster will crank in any gear when started and will buck, so out of habit clutch in, but my 86 Suzuki intruder wouldn't crank unless in neutral or clutch in...
Anyway my 95 Sportster will crank in any gear when started and will buck, so out of habit clutch in, but my 86 Suzuki intruder wouldn't crank unless in neutral or clutch in...
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 14
From: Fla
I didn't read all the responses...
But I did read a good many. The only ones I have to disagree with are those who deliberately decide to go against good advice. If they can't take good advice, why trust them to give good advice?
Myself? I prefer clutch in, when starting up, at stop lights/signs, or any time I happen to be sitting for a short period with the engine running. See? I can take good advice!
But I did read a good many. The only ones I have to disagree with are those who deliberately decide to go against good advice. If they can't take good advice, why trust them to give good advice?
Myself? I prefer clutch in, when starting up, at stop lights/signs, or any time I happen to be sitting for a short period with the engine running. See? I can take good advice!
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 214
Likes: 1
From: n providence ri
what does your new wife call you?
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 184
Likes: 2
From: nova scotia canada
When I was young, it only took a few times to hit the start button and have the bike take off unexpectantly to develop the habit of always starting, anything standard, with the clutch engaged.
Stage IV
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 4
Likes: 3
From: North Dakota
Usually i leave it in gear and start only when sitting on it and clutch lever in (and F or R brake engaged). My '12 Ultra has always jumped a bit on start even when the clutch lever is pulled in; thought it was strange so called the dealer/service when i first bought it to have the clutch looked at - they said it was "normal" to have that happen in HDs... Asked them later to look at this again while doing a 3-hole fluid change, again brought it back with the little jump on start-up. It's my first HD; my old Honda Shadow wouldn't start with the jiffy down unless in N, and wouldn't move a bit when the clutch was IN on startup while in gear. So now park in gear, and just start up knowing it'll buck a bit.
Cruiser
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 186
Likes: 38
From: bendigo
clutch in
Certainly takes load of starter. More so when cold and thick tranny oil slowing things up. Large cold diesels any load you can take of starter is a positive. Look how much weight there is in an 18 speed roadranger
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I had to pull the clutch in on the '12 Limited because the starter had issues that year and had parts replaced already. The '14 seems to start without all that kicking back and hesitation.
I had to pull the clutch in on the '12 Limited because the starter had issues that year and had parts replaced already. The '14 seems to start without all that kicking back and hesitation.
