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New to motorcycling, made a rookie mistake (Read 237 times)
rapatt95
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New to motorcycling, made a rookie mistake
03/31/21 at 14:11:42
 
I purchased an 07 s40 last week and have been putting miles on it on the backroads by my house for some practice before MSF next month. I made the rookie mistake of leaving the key in the bike in the On position and drained the battery. I wasn’t able to find much on jump starting these bikes and wasn’t sure how to access the battery.

I ended up finding the battery behind the side cover and tool kit (obvious I’m sure to the more experienced members). After removing the tool kit and plate, I had access to the positive terminal for the battery. From there I jump started it with my truck (not turning on my truck at any point, though), connecting the cables in the proper order and using the rear brake pedal for my ground.

My question is: did any of this potentially damage something or is jump starting a motorcycle fine? I apologize if this comes off as a ridiculous question, but I only entered the 2 wheel world last week. Thank you
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Gary_in_NJ
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Re: New to motorcycling, made a rookie mistake
Reply #1 - 03/31/21 at 16:48:47
 
Welcome to the forum and to motorcycling.

If the bike is now running fine, you did it correctly and didn’t damage anything.
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justin_o_guy2
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Re: New to motorcycling, made a rookie mistake
Reply #2 - 03/31/21 at 16:58:08
 
I don't even remember how many times I did that.
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rapatt95
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Re: New to motorcycling, made a rookie mistake
Reply #3 - 03/31/21 at 17:57:13
 
Yes the bike’s running just as it did. I’ll take that as meaning I didn’t destroy something. Thank you!
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justin_o_guy2
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Re: New to motorcycling, made a rookie mistake
Reply #4 - 03/31/21 at 19:26:37
 
Yeah, don't make a habit of it. That can cook your ignition box
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Re: New to motorcycling, made a rookie mistake
Reply #5 - 04/01/21 at 02:14:59
 
Yeah , I’m gonna give that wire a clip before the cover goes on.     Grin
   Oh  , Welcome
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Re: New to motorcycling, made a rookie mistake
Reply #6 - 04/01/21 at 03:46:04
 
I don't know what they teach you in the classes these days - but I never use the handlebar mounted Kill Switch to turn the motorcycle off.....I only use the key.  That removes any doubt about the key being turned off.
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rapatt95
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Re: New to motorcycling, made a rookie mistake
Reply #7 - 04/01/21 at 07:10:14
 
Dave wrote on 04/01/21 at 03:46:04:
I don't know what they teach you in the classes these days - but I never use the handlebar mounted Kill Switch to turn the motorcycle off.....I only use the key.  That removes any doubt about the key being turned off.


I am not sure what they’ll teach yet either, but the key will definitely be my new way of turning off the bike from now on. A new battery is most likely in order as well, as I believe this may be the OEM factory battery
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justin_o_guy2
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Re: New to motorcycling, made a rookie mistake
Reply #8 - 04/01/21 at 07:49:01
 
new battery is most likely in order as well,

If not, you're looking at another rookie mistake.
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Re: New to motorcycling, made a rookie mistake
Reply #9 - 04/01/21 at 08:02:20
 
Dave wrote on 04/01/21 at 03:46:04:
I don't know what they teach you in the classes these days - but I never use the handlebar mounted Kill Switch to turn the motorcycle off.....I only use the key.  That removes any doubt about the key being turned off.


+1 on this.  Just be sure you don't turn the key all the way backwards.  That position leaves the tail light on and allows you to remove the key.  "Safety" feature for parking on the side of the road.   Roll Eyes
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Re: New to motorcycling, made a rookie mistake
Reply #10 - 04/01/21 at 12:20:18
 
Since the battery is hard to get to, I would recommend a maintaince free battery. Also, a Battery Tender Junior. It comes with leads you run from the battery to any convenient spot for charging and check battery voltage.
Also, get an inexpensive multi meter.
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Re: New to motorcycling, made a rookie mistake
Reply #11 - 04/01/21 at 13:46:22
 
they teach you to only use the kill switch so your in the habit of doing it in a emergency.  i have yet to meat anyone who does tho lol.
rapatt95 wrote on 04/01/21 at 07:10:14:
Dave wrote on 04/01/21 at 03:46:04:
I don't know what they teach you in the classes these days - but I never use the handlebar mounted Kill Switch to turn the motorcycle off.....I only use the key.  That removes any doubt about the key being turned off.


I am not sure what they’ll teach yet either, but the key will definitely be my new way of turning off the bike from now on. A new battery is most likely in order as well, as I believe this may be the OEM factory battery

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Re: New to motorcycling, made a rookie mistake
Reply #12 - 04/05/21 at 06:54:10
 
ckahleer wrote on 04/01/21 at 12:20:18:
Since the battery is hard to get to, I would recommend a maintaince free battery. Also, a Battery Tender Junior. It comes with leads you run from the battery to any convenient spot for charging and check battery voltage.


+1.  I have one of these (link below) as well that has the leads and a USB adapter if you need a spot to temporarily charge something off the bike (while running of course).  

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-Terminal-Accessory-Charger/dp/B08CBQYXY...

Get an AGM battery.  I have had good success ordering from BatterMart.com and get their BigCrank house brand...great quality batteries at competitive prices.

And, to answer your initial question about jumping the bike, you did one critical thing correctly and that is NOT cranking the vehicle you are using for the jump. An automobile charging system can back feed too much voltage to these bikes. As long as the vehicle is NOT running, jumping off any standard 12v auto battery should not cause any problems.  If it ever does, note the 20A main fuse under that right-side cover...if anything every blows that's the first place to check before thinking your system has fried. Personally I have a spare fuse taped to that wire harness...cheap insurance if you ever need it in a pinch.
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rapatt95
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Re: New to motorcycling, made a rookie mistake
Reply #13 - 04/05/21 at 07:06:33
 
stewmills wrote on 04/05/21 at 06:54:10:
ckahleer wrote on 04/01/21 at 12:20:18:
Since the battery is hard to get to, I would recommend a maintaince free battery. Also, a Battery Tender Junior. It comes with leads you run from the battery to any convenient spot for charging and check battery voltage.


+1.  I have one of these (link below) as well that has the leads and a USB adapter if you need a spot to temporarily charge something off the bike (while running of course).  

https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-Terminal-Accessory-Charger/dp/B08CBQYXY...

Get an AGM battery.  I have had good success ordering from BatterMart.com and get their BigCrank house brand...great quality batteries at competitive prices.

And, to answer your initial question about jumping the bike, you did one critical thing correctly and that is NOT cranking the vehicle you are using for the jump. An automobile charging system can back feed too much voltage to these bikes. As long as the vehicle is NOT running, jumping off any standard 12v auto battery should not cause any problems.  If it ever does, note the 20A main fuse under that right-side cover...if anything every blows that's the first place to check before thinking your system has fried. Personally I have a spare fuse taped to that wire harness...cheap insurance if you ever need it in a pinch.


I replaced the battery with an Interstate AGM battery yesterday and it fires right up nicely now. I’ll be looking into adding some of these other suggestions as well to make my life a little easier moving forward as well. I appreciate all the input and help!

And yes, the one thing that was pounded into my brain in my searching was not starting the vehicle when jumping the bike!
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Re: New to motorcycling, made a rookie mistake
Reply #14 - 04/05/21 at 14:57:31
 
+1 for a good battery
pushing your bike 5miles home at 2am sucks and will get you multiple interviews with the local police.  was a long night...
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