new year's day in southern california? nklr

[William Whalen]

I have had my share of dead batteries on my KLR and other bikes, but in my opinion the KLR is impossible to push start unless you are on some great big hill (that we don't have in Central Florida). My question is this is the compression release different on the newer models then the older ones making it easier to push start, because I am 6'2" 220lbs. and running along side the bike, jumping on the seat and releasing the clutch in 2 or 3 gear does not work. I have done that many time on smaller dirt bikes but not the KLR-650. If there is a trick that I don't know please let me know what it is. I have been riding since 71 so I am not a newbie to dead batteries and motorcycles. _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at http://profiles.msn.com

[jbwn@earthlink.net]

I rode my 99 KLR to the BART--train station--to work yesterday. When I got back that evening I had a dead battery. I think I turned the switch too far and left the tail lights on, first time I did that since I bought the beast. Anyway, I tried everything under the sun-- various gears, running at different speeds etc.--to push start it, all to no avail. I thought I had it on several occassions, but then the compression release must have gone off because the back tire would skid, regardless of which gear I was using. Has anyone had sucess push starting the KLR? If so any useful info you can impart? I like to feel that I can handle most things, but after yesterday I definetely would not want to have a dead battery in the backcountry. Thanks.

[Backroad Bandit]

--- In DSN_klr650@egroups.com, jbwn@e... wrote:

> I rode my 99 KLR to the BART--train station--to work yesterday.

When

> I got back that evening I had a dead battery.

Jumper cables, just push the leads down on to the terminals and thumb the starter.

[Mark Wilson]

> > I rode my 99 KLR to the BART--train station--to work yesterday. > When > > I got back that evening I had a dead battery.

------------------------------------

> Jumper cables, just push the leads down on to the terminals and thumb > the starter.

--------------------------------------- I have a question for you guys with electric vest and stuff. Can you jump a dead battery with the BMW battery hook up things? You can have another end with battery clamps, and attach to good battery, then just plug it together. Instead of taking off luggage, seat and side pannel. It seems like it would work. MotorMark

[jirvine@nmsu.edu]

At 03:56 AM 11/11/00 -0500, Mark Wilson wrote:

>I have a question for you guys with electric vest and stuff. > >Can you jump a dead battery with the BMW battery hook up things? >You can have another end with battery clamps, and attach to good battery, >then just plug it together. >Instead of taking off luggage, seat and side pannel. > >It seems like it would work.

I would guess the in-line fuse might be a problem, how many amps would get drawn through there? My widder vest hook-up has an in-line fuse that is probably fused at 15(?).

[Rev.Chuck]

>Has anyone had sucess push starting the KLR? If so any useful info you can impart? I like to feel that I can handle most things, but after yesterday I definetely would not want to have a dead battery in the backcountry.

_____________________________- Monday it was cold here, 31F. For Sacramento, with the clouds ready to dump rain, it was cold. I wanted to ride anyway, so layered the protective and waterproof clothing on. I threw the saddle bags over the beast with my office attack gear enclosed. Turned the key and hit the button... CLICK-CLICK-CLICK-zzzzzzz. Battery dead. I have push started it in the past, without a single issue, this morning NO WAY! New back tire (slick as snail tracks) frosty driveway, bundled like I was headed for the Arcitc. It still sits, un-started. Keys to success: 1. Traction 2. Good deal of umph in your back 3. Second gear, first only skids most tires 4. Plenty of room == Rev. Chuck :^)>+ A13 http://klr650.50megs.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ _____________________________________________________________

[Ed Boyd]

To add to the Keys of Success: 5. A good jump down onto the seat just as you pop the clutch out. You want your butt hitting the seat just as the rear wheel needs to drive the engine. The idea is to maximize traction. -Ed

--- In DSN_klr650@egroups.com, Rev.Chuck wrote: > >Has anyone had sucess push starting the KLR? If so any useful info you can impart? I like to feel that I can handle most things, but after yesterday I definetely would not want to have a dead battery in the backcountry. > _____________________________- > > Monday it was cold here, 31F. For Sacramento, with the clouds ready to dump rain, it was cold. I wanted to ride anyway, so layered the protective and waterproof clothing on. I threw the saddle bags over the beast with my office attack gear enclosed. Turned the key and hit the button... CLICK-CLICK-CLICK-zzzzzzz. Battery dead. I have push started it in the past, without a single issue, this morning NO WAY! > New back tire (slick as snail tracks) frosty driveway, bundled like I was headed for the Arcitc. > > It still sits, un-started. > > Keys to success: > 1. Traction > 2. Good deal of umph in your back > 3. Second gear, first only skids most tires > 4. Plenty of room > > > > == > Rev. Chuck > :^)>+ > A13 > http://klr650.50megs.com > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > > _____________________________________________________________

[Kurt Simpson]

> 5. A good jump down onto the seat just as you pop the clutch out. You > want your butt hitting the seat just as the rear wheel needs to drive > the engine. The idea is to maximize traction.

6. Do not open the throttle (until it burps), but engage the fuel enricher... Kurt

[Stuart Mumford]

I had an old XT500 which wouldn't start hot unless you had legs like King Kong, hit the decompression lever just perfect, and the planets were all aligned. Without a bunch of long stories, believe me, I am a bumpstarting expert, and I can tell you the best thing for bumpstarting a bike;( drum roll ) Park it on a hill. Also the 2nd gear, and landing your weight squarely on the back part of the seat right when you let the clutch out is important. CA Stu <-- I love my electric starter, the thumb is more powerful than the leg...

[Stuart Mumford]

I'm in for a jaunt. I heard of a tradition years ago that said basically whoever you spend New Year's Eve with you shall spend the whole year with, so I always spent the evening at home, in front of the fire and the TV with the wife and kids... I will be ready to go ring in the new year Cal Posse style and I look forward to it. Great idea, Jim. CA Stu <-- 10 days to LA-B-Vegas woo woo