Bump starting my Beemer

[Baza 07]

Hi all I’m led to believe you can’t bump start a Beemer, I have a R1200GS is this correct
Cheers Baza

 

[Udders]

Good luck!
You’ll need a dry, steep road a lot of speed and be in about 4th gear. Even then the rear will still probably lock up as soon as you dump the clutch.
I‘ve managed to bump my 1150 a few times when I’ve stalled it pulling up to junctions but the majority of times it just locks up.

 

[Popinman]

Nothing like bumbling a car that’s for sure! Tried several times with my 1250GS, even with a good lick of speed it couldn’t crank the engine sufficiently. Fortunately I was near a bunch of shopfitters, one had jump leads in his van and started on the first turn. Keep meaning to get a mobile jump pack to carry with me…..

 

[turkuss]

I agree with the previous posts I have been on the bike (gs1200) with two people pushing and the back wheel just locks up in anything below 4th gear and any gear above that doesn't spin the engine fast enough , I got a cheap jump pack from fleabay and fitted a lead from the battery to just under the side of the seat with a plug that plugs directly into the jump pack , so when ever it wont crank just whip out the jump pack from the tank bag and your off without getting off the bike. hope this helps.

 

[streethawkonr1]

I have bump started my 1200 gs lc, I stopped to look at some scenery and when I tried to start it just would not turn over, not enough power in the battery.
Luckily I was near a steep hill and managed to roll it up to about 20 mph and bump started it. So it can be done, just not easy.

 

[dicktheleg]

I guess you’ll never start it if there’s not enough power for the fuel pump & ECU.

 

[adventuredon]

I bump started my 1200gs on a sloping parking area. Wasn't steep but was sloping. 3rd gear I believe from memory

 

[yoyo]

Keep the starter pinned when trying to bump it, every little helps.

Sent from my ELE-L29 using Tapatalk

 

[__YANNICK__]

I bump started my F800GS on a downhill a little while ago from second gear but needed some good speed. I think about 20mph.

As a teenager I used to regularly bump start a BMW F650GS Funduro single and I would just run next to it and start it (with a little) but not too much hassle, but I guess that's starting to get a bit far from the 1200GS monster.

Sent from my AC2003 using Tapatalk

 

[er-minio]

You can. At some point a few years ago i had a dodgy battery and got into the habit of bump-starting my 2007 hex adv in the morning with much enjoyement of the people around. My garage is up a hill.

Once I didn’t manage to start it all the way to the bottom of the hill so from that day I got a new battery and battery tenders for all my bikes

Final drive doesn’t love a bump start. Do it sparingly.

 

[landmarkjohn]

Takes me back to bump starting my Yamaha DT175 as a dexterous teenager. Running alongside then jump on sidesaddle to bump start, then carry on a bit sidesaddle just to be cool before standing on the peg and swinging the leg over.

Couldn't recommend the sidesaddle bit on a Hexhead, if it goes wrong you end up lying on your back on top of your fallen bike.

 

[er-minio]

In all honesty: I'm 6'3" so it was easier in my case

 

[Popinman]

I agree with the previous posts I have been on the bike (gs1200) with two people pushing and the back wheel just locks up in anything below 4th gear and any gear above that doesn't spin the engine fast enough , I got a cheap jump pack from fleabay and fitted a lead from the battery to just under the side of the seat with a plug that plugs directly into the jump pack , so when ever it wont crank just whip out the jump pack from the tank bag and your off without getting off the bike. hope this helps.

Which jump pack did you go with out of interest Turkuss?

 

[turkuss]

I cant remember at the moment i am at work now i will check later , but it was just a cheap one (about £40 ) if i remember correctly .

 

[botus]

yep horrible experience cold engine, gearbox and bevel fluid means there so much drag, on the level you'll be lucky to get to walking pace... where you'll find in 1st or 2nd you stop dead before the engine moves 1 degree, and 3rd will get 1/4 turn of the crank so with never fire

at 120kg and a mega bounce down on the suspension in second with a hill helping get to 10mph you can just do it - but its like a one in three chance two 20 foot black lines and one lucky dip - then you need some oxygen before you fall over

 

[Baza 07]

In all honesty: I'm 6'3" so it was easier in my case

Being 5’8”ish and 72 I’ll leave it where it is

 

[er-minio]

I fully approve your decision.

 

[__YANNICK__]

Takes me back to bump starting my Yamaha DT175 as a dexterous teenager. Running alongside then jump on sidesaddle to bump start, then carry on a bit sidesaddle just to be cool before standing on the peg and swinging the leg over.

Couldn't recommend the sidesaddle bit on a Hexhead, if it goes wrong you end up lying on your back on top of your fallen bike.

I love this. I thought I was very cool when I did the same as well.

Sent from my AC2003 using Tapatalk

 

[Zoton]

Probably not relevant but remember this from years ago, Not sure if you could do this :

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[Mistacat]

One thing to bear in mind on switching the ignition on, the fuel pump only runs for approx. 1 second and does not achieve full fuel pressure then the fuel pressure starts to drop off slowly as the one way valves in the pump do not seal 100%.
If the ignition is switched of and on the pump does not run until it has been stood for a while.
The fuel pump starts to run as soon as the start button is depressed. So another reason to hit the start button whilst trying to bump start the bike.