How do you start your bike? - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

KD57 · 06-11-2008, 07:27 AM

Just a random thought, but after the bike has been sitting overnight or longer, do you start it on the side stand, or do you start it in an upright position? What got me to thinking that was looking at the ZZR sight glass empty, as all the oil has moved to the left side of the engine. You start it, then how does the clutch side get any oil until you stand it upright?

I usually stand it upright, start it, let it idle for a minute, then lean it back over to gear up. It might be a silly thing to do, but I think I can hear the clutch / bearings saying thank you for giving them a bath in oil.

It may be moot, and there is probably enough residual oil to be OK, but I am kinda paranoid about things like that. I always do it for sure after a 4 month winter storage, when there might be very little oil left on anything.

tricker · 06-11-2008, 07:36 AM

I've done it both way's and never had a problem.

ORBrit · 06-11-2008, 07:37 AM

I start mine upright with kickstand up. Not because I'd given it as much thought as you though!!
More because I'm on the bike and it's stable incase it lurches forward (even though it's in neutral)

Apertureguy · 06-11-2008, 07:42 AM

I stand it upright...then I back it out of the garage...put the kickstand down...and start it up. Works great, and all that sloshing around on the way out of the garage probably helps.

**Clint** · 06-11-2008, 09:23 AM

I wouldn't say that "all the oil has moved to the left side". In reality, it's only slightly lower on the right, and I'm quite sure the engineers accounted for that.

**inspiron** · 06-11-2008, 09:49 AM

I *never* start the bike on the kickstand. When I start the bike, I'm sitting on it, one hand holding the clutch, and the other pushing the starter button. When it's parked, regardless if I put it on the kickstand or on the center stand, it's in 1st gear. I couldn't start it with the kickstand down because because the sensor won't let me. And I need to stand it up to kick it into neutral, so it's off the stand anyway.

**Trapper** · 06-11-2008, 10:00 AM

I just start pedaling

**Clint** · 06-11-2008, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inspiron

I couldn't start it with the kickstand down because because the sensor won't let me. And I need to stand it up to kick it into neutral, so it's off the stand anyway.

1) You can't start the bike with the stand down? I've never, not even once, heard that before.
2) You can't shift into N on the sidestand? I do it all the time to move the bike or start it up.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trapper

I just start pedaling

Yeah, but do you make vroom-vroom noises before or after you stand the bike up?

fbrown · 06-11-2008, 10:10 AM

Mine won't start in gear so I sit on it put in neutral fire it up and finish suiting up sitting on it, while it warms up.

cms58 · 06-11-2008, 10:27 AM

Standing straight up while on the bike. It starts anyway I have it. The ninja will not start in gear with the stand down in gear without the clutch in. The S50 needs the clutch in at all times to start. So that one is straight up always.

NCxM50 · 06-11-2008, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

1) You can't start the bike with the stand down? I've never, not even once, heard that before.

M50 is the same way, a lot of bikes are. When the bike is in gear (like Inspiron stated) they will not start, even with the clutch in, while the stand is down.

I'm always sitting on the bike when I start it, so the bike is always standing straight up, and if I'm sitting on the bike, the stand is up.

**Trapper** · 06-11-2008, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Yeah, but do you make vroom-vroom noises before or after you stand the bike up?

Hockey cards in the spokes.

sinn · 06-11-2008, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NCxM50

M50 is the same way, a lot of bikes are. When the bike is in gear (like Inspiron stated) they will not start, even with the clutch in, while the stand is down.

I'm always sitting on the bike when I start it, so the bike is always standing straight up, and if I'm sitting on the bike, the stand is up.

Same with my Shadow Sabre. If the side stand is down I have to start it in neutral.

DrBob · 06-11-2008, 12:46 PM

With the bike in neutral and resting on the sidestand, I turn on the fuel and the ignition, straddle to bike and crank the kick starter to find TDC. I give the throttle a quarter inch turn, put all my weight into it and give it a good kick (88 cubic inches ain't easy to kickover!), then another. Usually starts on the second kick. A quarter inch of throttle OR a little choke keeps it running for about a full minute, then I am good to go!

**Trapper** · 06-11-2008, 01:10 PM

Kickin' it ol' skool!

**inspiron** · 06-11-2008, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trapper

Hockey cards in the spokes.

Trapper, you should try Bicycle Poker cards. They give you a much better sound!

themeatmanlandry · 06-11-2008, 01:45 PM

I start both of mine on the kickstand.

Nick Mystic · 06-11-2008, 01:54 PM

I start my M50 on the side stand with the bike in neutral, clutch pulled in, and my right hand squeezing the handbrake. If for some reason the bike tried to move (it never has) having the front brake locked down should prevent more than a nudge and then a stall.

themeatmanlandry · 06-11-2008, 02:02 PM

I tow mine with a truck and start it at speed. Less wear and tear on the starter, which we all know is an essential component.

KD57 · 06-11-2008, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themeatmanlandry

I tow mine with a truck and start it at speed. Less wear and tear on the starter, which we all know is an essential component.

Redneck style!!!

06-11-2008, 07:27 AM	#1 (permalink)
KD57 No Significant Other Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: 2008 ZZR600 Location: Under a rock in Texas Posts: 2,394	How do you start your bike? Just a random thought, but after the bike has been sitting overnight or longer, do you start it on the side stand, or do you start it in an upright position? What got me to thinking that was looking at the ZZR sight glass empty, as all the oil has moved to the left side of the engine. You start it, then how does the clutch side get any oil until you stand it upright? I usually stand it upright, start it, let it idle for a minute, then lean it back over to gear up. It might be a silly thing to do, but I think I can hear the clutch / bearings saying thank you for giving them a bath in oil. It may be moot, and there is probably enough residual oil to be OK, but I am kinda paranoid about things like that. I always do it for sure after a 4 month winter storage, when there might be very little oil left on anything. __________________ The "other" ZZR rider. Last edited by KD57; 06-11-2008 at 07:43 AM.

06-11-2008, 07:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
ORBrit U.B's LoveChild Joined: Oct 2006 Bike: 2007 Suzuki Boulevard S50 Location: Eugene, OR Posts: 1,078	I start mine upright with kickstand up. Not because I'd given it as much thought as you though!! More because I'm on the bike and it's stable incase it lurches forward (even though it's in neutral) __________________ Ranked best in the nation by NHTSA for Motorcycle Safety Course best practices.

06-11-2008, 09:49 AM	#6 (permalink)
inspiron Muscle Biker Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: Blue Suzuki GSX 1400 (2003) Location: Canton Basel-Land, Switzerland (47.4493, 7.76536) Posts: 11,786	I never start the bike on the kickstand. When I start the bike, I'm sitting on it, one hand holding the clutch, and the other pushing the starter button. When it's parked, regardless if I put it on the kickstand or on the center stand, it's in 1st gear. I couldn't start it with the kickstand down because because the sensor won't let me. And I need to stand it up to kick it into neutral, so it's off the stand anyway. __________________ There is nothing worse than aggressive stupidity. - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe blog: gsx1400

06-11-2008, 10:00 AM	#7 (permalink)
Trapper Dogs Best Friend(admin) Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: SOLD Location: Moncton NB Canada Posts: 8,950	I just start pedaling __________________ PointFlushRetrieve.com - Bird Dog Blog Motorcycle-Journal.com Blog

06-11-2008, 10:10 AM	#9 (permalink)
fbrown Seat Tester Joined: May 2008 Bike: 83 Honda V45 Magna Location: West Virginia Posts: 64	starting Mine won't start in gear so I sit on it put in neutral fire it up and finish suiting up sitting on it, while it warms up. __________________ Doesn't play well with others

06-11-2008, 07:42 AM	#4 (permalink)
Apertureguy Bridal Boutique Manager Joined: Jun 2006 Bike: 2006 Blue M50 Location: New York Posts: 3,071	I stand it upright...then I back it out of the garage...put the kickstand down...and start it up. Works great, and all that sloshing around on the way out of the garage probably helps.

06-11-2008, 10:27 AM	#10 (permalink)
cms58 Kickstand Operator Joined: Oct 2007 Bike: 2007 Suzuki S50 /07 Yamaha FZ6 / 1992 Yamaha RT180 Location: Lithia Springs, Georgia Posts: 286	Standing straight up while on the bike. It starts anyway I have it. The ninja will not start in gear with the stand down in gear without the clutch in. The S50 needs the clutch in at all times to start. So that one is straight up always. __________________ FEEL THE BREEZE Last edited by cms58; 06-11-2008 at 10:31 AM.

06-11-2008, 12:46 PM	#14 (permalink)
DrBob In The Zone Joined: May 2004 Bike: several Location: Decatur, GA Posts: 2,639	With the bike in neutral and resting on the sidestand, I turn on the fuel and the ignition, straddle to bike and crank the kick starter to find TDC. I give the throttle a quarter inch turn, put all my weight into it and give it a good kick (88 cubic inches ain't easy to kickover!), then another. Usually starts on the second kick. A quarter inch of throttle OR a little choke keeps it running for about a full minute, then I am good to go! __________________ Dream like you'll live forever, live like you'll die tomorrow. You MUST obey the pug dog!

06-11-2008, 01:10 PM	#15 (permalink)
Trapper Dogs Best Friend(admin) Joined: Jul 2004 Bike: SOLD Location: Moncton NB Canada Posts: 8,950	Kickin' it ol' skool! __________________ PointFlushRetrieve.com - Bird Dog Blog Motorcycle-Journal.com Blog

06-11-2008, 01:45 PM	#17 (permalink)
themeatmanlandry Banned Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 2002 Bandit 600S (Black); 2006 GSXR750 (Black) Location: Memphis Posts: 11,423	I start both of mine on the kickstand.

06-11-2008, 01:54 PM	#18 (permalink)
Nick Mystic In Training Joined: Sep 2007 Bike: Suzuki M50 Limited Edition 2007 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 124	I start my M50 on the side stand with the bike in neutral, clutch pulled in, and my right hand squeezing the handbrake. If for some reason the bike tried to move (it never has) having the front brake locked down should prevent more than a nudge and then a stall.

06-11-2008, 02:02 PM	#19 (permalink)
themeatmanlandry Banned Joined: Dec 2003 Bike: 2002 Bandit 600S (Black); 2006 GSXR750 (Black) Location: Memphis Posts: 11,423	I tow mine with a truck and start it at speed. Less wear and tear on the starter, which we all know is an essential component.

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