Push starting a bike sucks!!!

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red66stang · Thu Apr 14, 2005 8:50 am

Went to school today, bike started just fine. My school is maybe 20 mins away but it's not in the best part of town. I stopped off across the street to pick up some testing papers I needed and went back to hop on the bike, just clicks. I think "great" but I'm running late for class so I hoofed it across the street, took my test and then headed back. I hoped after an hour of the bike sitting and cooling off the starter might be able to kick it over one last time to get home but of course it didn't. It took me 6 tries of sprinting next to the bike and dropping the clutch before I got it started. It's a nice 90ish degrees here in direct sunlight and I was sweating my "O Ring" off, but I at least got it home. I've never had to push start a bike (or car for that matter) before so I'm slightly impressed with myself that I was able to do it without the aide of a downhill or anything. Hopefully I'll never have to do that again.

jewfzr · #2 Unread post by **jewfzr** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 10:06 am

I don't know if you were in first or not, but it's much easier when in 2nd.

Keyoke · #3 Unread post by **Keyoke** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 10:07 am

I know the feeling - had a few problems with the battery on my old V-max when i first got it - having to push-start a V4 bike that weighs that much, on your own, is NOT fun!

red66stang · Thu Apr 14, 2005 10:12 am

jewfzr wrote:I don't know if you were in first or not, but it's much easier when in 2nd.

At least I know if there's ever another time. I had to push start it again to get it to the shop. The starter was still covered by warranty luckily but now I'm without my bike for a week and the weather is perfect for it here

jewfzr · #5 Unread post by **jewfzr** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 10:19 am

Man that stinks, I used to live in Mesa as well and know what it's like push starting a bike in the heat. not fun.

Mag7C · #6 Unread post by **Mag7C** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 12:34 pm

Tell me about it, for about a 6 week period I had to push start my bike whenever I wanted to go anywhere, which was every day. Turns out the starter brushes were worn down. If you have to do it often, use 2nd gear. Easier on the bike and lessens the risk of dropping it.

It was always fun to see the looks on peoples' faces in the parking lot when I go sprinting past pushing the thing instead of riding it

.

Ladymx · #7 Unread post by **Ladymx** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 12:59 pm

Gone is the day I can push start my own bike, so Im going to have to find a hill or someone to push if it happens. Im really hopeing it just doesnt happen. Its no fun, when you have to, but I agree second gear is the best to start it in.

isaac · #8 Unread post by **isaac** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 1:53 pm

Well nice work getting it going. I didn't think one of those swanky new bandits would take 6 tries. Aren't they injected?

My GZ I've been push starting for nearly a year now since the starter clutch inexplicably went out at about 2,500 miles. That one's easy though. I can walk start it.

The 550lb GS is definitely no fun after the 3rd try. I've had to push start that thing a good 40-50 times now. It's a lot better when one push is all it takes. For now, that's how mine's doing.

red66stang · Thu Apr 14, 2005 1:58 pm

Mine's an 02, still carbed. If you've ever been to mesa, AZ, you'll notice one thing, there are NO hills around. There wasn't even a slanted driveway around that I could've used.

Ladymx · #10 Unread post by **Ladymx** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 6:38 pm

red66stang wrote:Mine's an 02, still carbed. If you've ever been to mesa, AZ, you'll notice one thing, there are NO hills around. There wasn't even a slanted driveway around that I could've used.

ya Im heading your way and Im a little worried about that. Hopefully I wont have any problems.