the last bike I tried to bump was a tl1000r in full leathers. I was fecked , never did get it started
Like I said, it's a matter of technique. Practice on a smaller bike until you've got the hang of it. The ST would be much easier than the Multi because it doesn't have the height. When I was a youngster all road races were a bump start and our old bangers were so worn and with weak sparks from magnetos, that the kickstart wouldn't turn them over fast enough and a bump start was the only way to get them fired up - if we were lucky :biggrin:
On all the time summer and winter plug it in as a matter of course when the bike goes into the garage.
Optimate 5 on R32, 998S, Maxus VAN with two spare for anything else laid up. I saw some for £50 each a few months back on fleabay. Really good...had one fail, but I think we dropped it on concrete. Only charge when needed. Keeps 2.5L diesel van ready to go in all weathers. Trouble is trackers drain power together with alarm systems etc. Agree it's better to know at home that the battery is FUKCed before you leave, however I change my batteries every 4 years anyway as part of the maintenance. If I missed just one call out, I could buy two big van batteries! I've an old merc (10yrs) that starts on the button if left for months, but then it's got nothing draining the power, just self discharge. The battery is in the car, so it stays out of the worst of the weather.
Maybe a bit late on this thread but thought I'd share my wisdom as winter draws near. The optimate is a battery maintenance tool as well as charger, it maintains and conditions your battery, charges when needed, draws current off and monitors it's condition so will tell you if it is faulty. You can leave it connected whenever you're not riding the bike. It's like a baby sitter for your battery tending to its every need, but not for lithium or light weight race batteries. It comes with a connector to attach to the battery with a weatherproof connection to connect the optimate to when garaged. Oxford Oximiser works similar, both are great for your battery
How right you are. I used to bump-start Velos and Vins as a matter of course. It was a luxury to get a bike which could be kick-started, and electric starts were for wimps only.
You and I are obviously from the same era Pete. My GTS was the first bike I had with an electric leg, although I'd had plenty of practice on Gold Stars before I got the 900SS. I may have met you once at a TT in the late 70's. Does your surname begin with F ?
Old twins didn't have in excess of 150bhp, high compression and quite short strokes and bump starting them was a lot easier. The new more powerfull twins are very difficult to bump, Ducati race twins have to have the pistons in the correct position of the stroke or even the electric trolley starters won't fire them up,so bump starting your pride and joy could end in misery and I know I'd prefer to have mine plugged into an Optmate/Oximiser!!
Forget trying to bump start a Multi because it has a slipper clutch. I tried with a warmed up engine going down the ramp onto the euro shuttle (steep), it would not turn the engine, bike should have started instantly.
Ok, not an Optimate, got a few bikes and keeping the Ctek chargers plugged in as soon I store the bikes for for extended periods (7+ days) and not a single problem, knocking on wood....
Plugged in all the time. I bought the Ducati charger (around £45) it plugs in to the existing plug under the seat, no extra wiring required. Cant see the difference between it being charged by the charger or by having the engine running tbh....
Another vote for always on. I've just put a motobat AGM battery on my 900ss ie. pricey, but worth it IMHO
