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[Billy]

The manual says to always start bike in neutral. I have never done this . Is this just for safety so the bike won't lurch forward or is there a mechanical failure possible?   Thanks Billy

[bbrown]

I think saftey???   I rarely shift to nuetral

[ultrafxr]

Yes and yes.  Several folks (techs included) have told me it puts more of a load on the starter.  I always used to start in gear but now I start in neutral - well most of the time anyway.   

[ChopperPilot]

I start in neutral most of the time, a safety issue as well as, harder on the starter and battery to turn the engine over.

[Fired00d]

I start in neutral also.

 
Ride Safe,
Fired00d
 

[SanJuanRon]

I always start in neutral (less stress on bike).  And, I always have the clutch pulled in (old habit).  SJ Ron

[110tHunDer]

I always start in neutral (less stress on bike).  And, I always have the clutch pulled in (old habit).  SJ Ron

Same here.  I just don't trust a light. 

I'm surprised so many are starting their bike in gear.  The only time I don't park in neutral is if I'm on an incline.  Then, and only then, will I start it in gear.

What would be other reasons for shutting the bike off in gear?

[dlaws01]

Starting in neutral is safer and less demanding on the starter/ battery. 

[BaggerProud]

I always start in neutral (less stress on bike).  And, I always have the clutch pulled in (old habit).  SJ Ron

x2 

[Skipper]

I always start in neutral (less stress on bike).  And, I always have the clutch pulled in (old habit).  SJ Ron

X2 

[mjb765]

I always start in neutral (less stress on bike).  And, I always have the clutch pulled in (old habit).  SJ Ron

X3

[grc]

Absolutely start in neutral unless you just stalled it in traffic.  As many have already noted, this method puts less stress on the starter and battery.  On bikes that don't have the clutch/starter interlock feature, always starting in neutral is also a safety feature.

Why would you even consider routinely putting the bike in gear before you start it?  Are you parking it in gear for some reason?  

Jerry

[FLHTCUSE7]

Park in first gear so always in gear. If you have a habit to leave it in first gear, just like you would with a stick shift car, that's your parking brake and you run less risk of a fallen over MC. (HD kickstand looks so the risk is not there I a HD but n most others MCs)

Then when time to go mount the MC from the right, ignition on, stand the MC up, kickstand up, clutch in, right foot on the rear brake, start the engine and pull out.

Look at when a motor officer departs, that's what he does. (I got it drilled in to me when I took the MO training so many times so this is how I start every time)

[2k]

Same here.  I just don't trust a light. 

I'm surprised so many are starting their bike in gear.  The only time I don't park in neutral is if I'm on an incline.  Then, and only then, will I start it in gear.

What would be other reasons for shutting the bike off in gear?

And it has to be to steep to hold scooter easily. Neutral 99.5% of the time!!

[Bigfoot16]

x2 

me three