Jump start?

[NickD]

Probably too late for anyone to get this before the morning but.....worked on the bike (2012 GS12) this evening for 1/2 hr wi lights on low but engine off....battery now flat - I will learn!
I live near a good hill, any reason why it shouldn't start if jumped in 2nd? Am I likely to cause any damage by doing this?
Thanks

 

[Schtum]

Probably too late for anyone to get this before the morning but.....worked on the bike (2012 GS12) this evening for 1/2 hr wi lights on low but engine off....battery now flat - I will learn!
I live near a good hill, any reason why it shouldn't start if jumped in 2nd? Am I likely to cause any damage by doing this?
Thanks

I take it you mean "bumped in 2nd"....?

No, you're not likely to do any damage, other than the sliver of rubber that it'll take off your rear tyre as the wheel locks when you dump the clutch. Unless, of course, at that point, as the bike comes to a shuddering halt, you overbalance and the bike falls over. A high compression 1200cc twin takes a hell of a lot of bump starting. You might get away with doing it in 4th gear but then again.....

It would probably be more straightforward to get a set of jump leads and do what it seemed you were suggesting at the outset - jump start it from another vehicle.

 

[NickD]

Thanks, BMW assist then!

 

[Popell]

Never successfully bumped mine off, try jump leads or get it on a charger this evening, should have enough juice in it to start the beast in the morning

HTH

 

[NickD]

Thanks, BM assist now booked. Need to invest in a charger

 

[Deleted account 210516001]

I presume it needs amps to make the fuel pump run regardless of you being able to turn over the engine by running it down a hill. No fuel pump, no fuel and no bang.

 

[Womble]

Matt Hall (Dakar rider) bumpstarted a 1200 at the BMW offroad school down a hill when I was there. I didn't realise how good a trick that was until we tried to tow-start my 1150 and failed miserably (complete with scuffed headguards ). Even after that, bump starting in 3rd with 2 hefty blokes on the back still led to nothing more than black marks on the road.

 

[Bendy toy]

If the battery is really dead the electronics wont work so even if you can bump it over compression, it will never start.

If the battery has gone totally dead, it might be a sign its heading south and best replaced. If no load voltage is below about 9V, it will probably need an Optimate to wake it up.

For jump starting with leads NEVER run the donor vehicle's engine as it can upset the bike's electronics. Just connect the batteries and press the starter.

 

[Sandman]

Quote from a previous thread:
Originally Posted by Schtum
Optimate 4 Dual Program. It communicates with the CANBus so that you simply plug it into the accessory socket and leave it connected. Mine's been maintaining the battery like this for several weeks now.

http://www.optimate.co.uk/optimate 4 dual.htm

Get one of these chargers. They are an absolute doddle to use and can be programmed to charge normally or charge via the canbus though the aux power socket.

No need to remove seat to access the battery or have charger sockets running from the battery to an accessible position on the frame.

Get the one with the connnector for the BM aux socket

I think I got mine from Infinity Motorcycles at the NEC show last year.

 

[cookie]

For jump starting with leads NEVER run the donor vehicle's engine as it can upset the bike's electronics.

how does it do that?

 

[Flanners]

I've heard it can cause spikes when running the engine which then fry delicate ECU's etc. I am unsure how true this is, I have never had a problem. That said I have had an AA man start my RSV and other Italian twins with a powerpack quite easily. Inline 4's I usually manage to jump unfortunately a large twin has proved detrimental to my health on several occasions to try and get going with my own puff......

 

[Mad_Accountant]

I use the BMW charger - can it ever be safer than that?

Then I purchased a lead from Nippy Normans which is O-ring terminals to BMW din type socket which I leave permanently wired to my c1 battery. So I can trickle/condition/charge using the same charger.

Optimates are cute and cheaper though ....