Jump Starting
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,306
Likes: 39
From: Everywhere
Tho i've never "jump started" a bike - i have used one bike to charge another's battery. On a trip years ago, one of the ladies in the group had a stator go bad. So, at the hotel at night, we connected her husband's bike to her battery (did not remove battery) and started her husband's bike and let it sit at high idle (2,000 rpm) for approximately 30 minutes (there was a slight breeze so we parked the bikes so we could maximize airflow across the donor bike's engine - may not have helped, but couldn't hurt). after 30 minutes, her battery was 12+v on a gauge (prior too, would not crank). Was it the best thing to do? 1. It was not my bike (donor or recipient of the power transfusion) so no harm to me. 2. It was a saturday night so not able to visit dealer until Monday and it beat sitting around for 2 days. You do what you can in a pinch. She was able to travel with us on Sunday (we repeated the charging process at lunch stop) and Monday morning able to ride to dealer.
Since then, my tender travels with me, with an extension cord.
Since then, my tender travels with me, with an extension cord.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 821
Likes: 1
From: In the wind
Why would you buy anything from the stealer? I can get batteries from battery warehouse here for $85.00. I do not understand every ones fascination with buying stuff from the dealer. It is not any better it just cost more.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,637
Likes: 1,246
From: Lake, Ms
Agreed.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 157,320
Likes: 56,879
From: Michigan 15 Minutes East Of Hell
Put a Tender on it and you'll never regret it.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 14,731
Likes: 2,535
From: Mountain Top, Alabama
I watched one of the techs at the Dealer jump start a bike outside to get the bike inside and in the back for some work. He had a mc battery with a couple of small straps on it (the "jumpin' battery") along with a set of 8 guage mc jumper cables with somewhat small clips. He pulled back the rubber boot on the hot wire at the starter, then clipped onto a bolt for ground. It didn't take 10 seconds to jump start the bike. I checked out his set up. He said they use it all the time, Quick and easy.
Good idea to have a set, IMHO.
Good idea to have a set, IMHO.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,221
Likes: 4
From: Annemasse (border of Geneva-Switzerland) facing Mt-Blanc.
I watched one of the techs at the Dealer jump start a bike outside to get the bike inside and in the back for some work. He had a mc battery with a couple of small straps on it (the "jumpin' battery") along with a set of 8 guage mc jumper cables with somewhat small clips. He pulled back the rubber boot on the hot wire at the starter, then clipped onto a bolt for ground. It didn't take 10 seconds to jump start the bike. I checked out his set up. He said they use it all the time, Quick and easy.
Good idea to have a set, IMHO.
Good idea to have a set, IMHO.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,442
Likes: 418
From: South Carolina
+1 on the battery tender. I just pulled my seat, ecm, and cover to install the pigtail for mine...wired up the pigtail, routed it down the left side of the frame, and tucked it right next to...the pigtail that the dealer had installed when I bought it. 
I KNEW I shoulda checked before I put the new one on...
I KNEW I shoulda checked before I put the new one on...
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Road Captain
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 669
Likes: 27
From: Bothell, WA
I watched one of the techs at the Dealer jump start a bike outside to get the bike inside and in the back for some work. He had a mc battery with a couple of small straps on it (the "jumpin' battery") along with a set of 8 guage mc jumper cables with somewhat small clips. He pulled back the rubber boot on the hot wire at the starter, then clipped onto a bolt for ground. It didn't take 10 seconds to jump start the bike. I checked out his set up. He said they use it all the time, Quick and easy.
Good idea to have a set, IMHO.
Good idea to have a set, IMHO.