push start a no go, what gives?

[inglysh]

I've got a 1200 watt sprint on the bicycle but not enough leg to push start the s10.
I've been able to get my old 650 vstrom up as well as the bike before that, a suzuki m50.
Hell, I've even been with a group of guys that that push started an EFI hyundai elantra.
Tried 2nd gear, no luck. Felt like she wanted to come alive but just not enough ooomph. Needed a squirt of starting fluid or something.
Going to wire an isolated second battery into my trunk just to make sure I have some power available if needed.

Why is bertha so hard to get going?

 

[echo_four_romeo]

I have no idea but I'm curious to know of other rider's opinions. Maybe because of the 270 degree crank? Just such a big heavy beast that is tall and cumbersome to run along side and jump onto.

I've done it before...took two techs from local dealer pushing me down the road. Maybe a few hundred feet with two or three attempts to start. She finally came to life with a bit of throttle.

 

[bnschroder]

Pushing and jumping by yourself? That takes balls. I have push-started a V-Strom 1000 with 2 people pushing and it was still an ordeal and took several attempts.

 

[Andylaser]

I bumped a V Max once, many years ago. Had to sit down afterwards and get myself together before I could ride away.

 

[jbrown]

If the battery is discharged enough, there's not enough power to run the electronics. In that case, you've got to get the alternator (ac magneto?) spinning fast enough to run everything (and overcome the battery's thirst for energy at the same time).

 

[AVGeek]

When my battery took a dive last time, I had to push start it a few times, by myself. I remember the last attempt took 3 or 4 tries, and I was winded after that! I think it was right after I got it running that I headed for the nearest battery store to swap it out.

 

[Ramseybella]

I remember running out of Gas in my 76 Dodge tradesman 200 van had to push it about 100 yards to the station.
This bike sort of brought that memory back last time I had to give it a bump, but than again I was 23 years old at the time!! 8)

 

[Propsoto]

Did you try to push the bike with it in gear and the clutch pulled in? Not gonna work. The bike must be in neutral, push push push, knock it into second or third, jump on the seat and dump the clutch all in one motion. I've started my ST1100 this way, it ain't easy, but it worked.

 

[Rasher]

Did you try to push the bike with it in gear and the clutch pulled in? Not gonna work. The bike must be in neutral, push push push, knock it into second or third, jump on the seat and dump the clutch all in one motion. I've started my ST1100 this way, it ain't easy, but it worked.

Big twins are very hard, a four cylinder is much easier as it has smaller pistons to overcome, have push started 900cc+ fours many times without too much trouble, once had to do the same on a TL1000 and ended up with a pillion and 3 guys pushing to get enough speed / weight to move those big pistons around.

270 crank may also make it harder :question:

 

[AVGeek]

Did you try to push the bike with it in gear and the clutch pulled in? Not gonna work. The bike must be in neutral, push push push, knock it into second or third, jump on the seat and dump the clutch all in one motion. I've started my ST1100 this way, it ain't easy, but it worked.

I actually was able to push start it in gear (2nd), clutch pulled in, but I did find that it also disabled the ABS!

 

[offcamber]

As stated before if the battery is completely flat good luck. You need a minimum voltage to at least get the CPU to boot up and the injectors to fire. I don't know what that number is....maybe one of the more knowledgeable folks do. I carry one of those small ani-gravity jumper packs. Saved my but once in Nova Scotia.