(Newswire.net — October 16, 2017) — If you have come to ride your motorcycle and it will not start, then don’t worry – if it is due to a flat battery, then there are a couple of methods that you can use to quickly restart your motorcycle and get it going without the need to call in a professional to assist. If you have left your motorcycle standing for a long period of time, for example, then this can cause the battery to go flat, which will mean that it won’t start when you come to ride it again.
However, bear in mind that leaving a motorcycle standing for a long period of time could lead to other issues that will require a little more work to rectify, such as the fuel going bad or causing blockages. If you cannot start your motorcycle, here’s what to do to get it going again.
Step #1. Make Some Simple Checks
Before you can begin, it’s a good idea to make some simple checks to ensure that this is an issue that you can fix with a jump or bump start. If the battery is at fault, then the biggest indication of this is that your lights will be dimmer than usual and your horn will be quieter. It’s also important to make sure that there are no other issues, which could be causing your motorcycle to fail to start. For example, check that there is fuel in the tank, the kickstand is up, and the transmission is in neutral. The kill-switch should be set to run, and on older bikes, the petcock should be set to ‘on’.
Step #2. Bump Starting
If you are fairly sure it is the battery which is preventing your motorcycle from starting, then one of the easiest ways to get it going again is to bump start your bike. To do this, first put your motorcycle in either first or second gear – second gear is usually the most effective. Press the clutch down, hold it, and let your bike roll until you reach speeds of around 5mph. You can do this by pushing the bike along if it’s not too heavy, or by positioning it on a downhill slope to help it build momentum. Release the clutch and hit the starter before giving the bike a moderate amount of throttle. The bike should start – once it does, make sure that the clutch is engaged again if you are running alongside, to prevent the motorcycle from building up too much speed.
Step #3. Jump Starting
Another method that you can use to get your motorcycle restarted again is jump-starting. Motorcyclists can even purchase portable battery starter packs that they can take with them when riding, just in case the battery fails, to prevent them from getting stranded, particularly those who enjoy riding in remote areas. You can also jump start a motorcycle from a car using jump leads. However, bear in mind that most motorcycle manufacturers do not recommend doing this since car batteries tend to be larger and more powerful, therefore this can be risky or even cause further damage to your motorcycle battery.
Step #4. Battery Replacement
If you have tried various methods and are unable to get your motorcycle started again, then it could be a sign that you need a new motorcycle battery. In most cases, motorcycle batteries tend to last for around four years before they will need replacing. If you are unable to get your motorcycle started on your own, then the best course of action to take is to see a professional mechanic who will be able to carry out a diagnosis of your motorcycle battery to determine what the issue is and whether a replacement will be necessary to get you on the road again. If you can’t get down to your local store or garage, you can find reliable and reputable replacement motorcycle batteries at Hardwarexpress.
Step #5. Consider Other Problems:
If a mechanic has determined that there is nothing wrong with your motorcycle battery or your motorcycle is still having difficulty starting after getting a battery replacement, then it’s most likely going to be a different issue altogether that is causing the problem. For example, if you leave your motorcycle standing for a long period of time, issues can develop such as rust or clogged fuel lines, which can lead to problems when it comes to starting the bike. In most cases, it is more difficult to fix non-battery related issues, so unless you are experienced, the best thing to do is to take your bike to an experienced and trained mechanic who can get to the root of the problem and determine how to best rectify it. Alternatively, invest in a repair manual to learn how to self-diagnose and fix common faults.
Did you find this information helpful? We’d love to hear some of your tips in the comments.