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Bodger Fix What they don't show you in the repair manual - tales of duct tape, bailing wire and WD 40. Bodge, Bush Mechanics, farmers fix, patch, temporary repair, or whatever your definition, tell us YOUR best story of a bodge that got you home!
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  #1  
Old 7 Nov 2011
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Push start an efi bike
Assuming you have a slope, traction and the strength, can you push start a modern, efi bike in the time-honoured 'push, run and jump' way?
I assume if the battery is completely flat then probably not (didn't work on a 660Z for me), but what about if the starter packs up? A less likely scenario I know, but just wondering.

thanks

Chris S
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Old 7 Nov 2011
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Yes, providing there is enough voltage in the battery to power the electronics. I would say there is no chance with a flat battery.
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Old 7 Nov 2011
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Originally Posted by mustaphapint View Post
Yes, providing there is enough voltage in the battery to power the electronics. I would say there is no chance with a flat battery.
This also includes the fuel pump.
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Old 7 Nov 2011
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have jump started mine a couple times when battery was too low to turn over the starter ... but obviously had enough to power the electronics and fuel pump.

If its a packed up starter, then there should be no problem as long as the battery is fine
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Old 7 Nov 2011
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Depends how far and how long you can push it for. If the battery is flat, I'm not actually sure if you could try and generate enough for the pump and electronics from using the generator while the bike is moving. I think if you got a tow in a high gear, you might just get going.

Obviously getting a tow on a bike is risky but there are 'safer ways' to do it.

NEVER tie the rope to the bike. Wrap it around the headstock a few times and hold it with your hand on the bars. That way if things get 'Ropey' (excuse the pun), you can take your hand off the rope and it will unwrap and go free.
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Old 8 Nov 2011
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If the battery was completely dead I don't think you'd get it going just by solo pushing. If there was just not enough power for the starter motor but you had the warning lights etc then pushing would work - it has for me a few times (but with the help of a hill!).

It does depend what you're pushing though - if you're talking 600 single or similar, then I don't think you have a hope. Even with valve lifters and everything functioning on the engine I've never managed to bump start either of mine solo - the back wheel just locks up as soon as you drop the clutch. You need to add at least one other adult size person (or two kids!), get it moving in gear with the valve lifter in and then let go of that.
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Old 21 Aug 2012
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Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
Obviously getting a tow on a bike is risky but there are 'safer ways' to do it.

NEVER tie the rope to the bike. Wrap it around the headstock a few times and hold it with your hand on the bars. That way if things get 'Ropey' (excuse the pun), you can take your hand off the rope and it will unwrap and go free.

Much, much safer to tow footpeg to footpeg rather than from the headstock, but as you say, on the towed bike just wrap the rope around the peg and put your foot on it.
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Old 20 Mar 2013
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EFI still needs 12V, no matter how low the amps.
Another factor to consider is whether your battery is just flat, or whether one of the (6) cells has died. If it is the latter then you may find that your bike isn't going anywhere no matter how much you push/pull/bump/jump start it.

I had this problem 5 years ago in Siberia on my EFI Burgman 650. The bike would not continue running once it had been jumpstarted. I still haven't fully determined the reason for this but I believe it was either the fact that the fuel pump required a minimum of 12V to operate or that there was some clever programming in the ECU that told the injectors they could only operate with that voltage.

Indicators, headlight, horn etc, would operate but the bike would not start until it saw at least 12V (battery showed around 10.8). I was fortunate enough to be able to borrow a 12V lower amperage battery which got me from Chita, to Irkutsk, where I was able to purchase a replacement.
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Old 5 Aug 2014
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The moral to Andy's story.. Keep your Tornado.. ( and look after your battery)
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Old 6 Aug 2014
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Depends on the bike but these days, 99% of bikes need the battery there as part of the circuit.

Your ignition IS a switch. And yes, they break the circuit. They prevent or allow the flow of electricity in a circuit.
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Old 6 Aug 2014
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Most of TWB's technique is par for the course with bump starting anything much over 250cc - in my experience anyway. The best way round it is to pay the bunch of school kids that often gather whenever you stop to push. All you do is imperiously sit on the bike and yell at them to push faster while deciding when to let the clutch out. Worked for me a few times
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Old 6 Aug 2014
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Talking In case your battery goes flat
Keeping it simple and avoiding all that 'push-puff-'n stuff'
Fit a positive terminal accessible point
Use a small power bank weighing in at....300 grms!
Connect terminals-turn ignition key- and fire up engine - easy peasy
Why struggle! making technology work for you- it fired up my F650 13 times and used only 25% of its stored charge.
Once you're on your way again, plug in 12 volt charger to re-charge power bank- Sorted-
( btw-it can also charge up phones, tablets, water filters, computers, rechargeable torch batteries etc. via its USB outlet and it even has a torch built in. Free virtual fruit basket to whomsoever knows this product!)
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Old 6 Aug 2014
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That sounds remarkably like .... a battery. :confused1:

However I'm guessing it wouldn't be that easy so how about one of these -

This Portable USB Charger Battery Pack Can Also Jump Start Your Car


Available on Amazon for the price of .... a battery.
Last edited by backofbeyond; 6 Aug 2014 at 14:13. Reason: speeling
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  #14  
Old 7 Aug 2014
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Talking backofbeyond
gets the fruit basket- It is similar if not congruent. 200CCA Constant - 400CCA Max
Last edited by Bertrand; 2 Mar 2016 at 16:15.
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  #15  
Old 18 Mar 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by backofbeyond View Post
That sounds remarkably like .... a battery. :confused1:

However I'm guessing it wouldn't be that easy so how about one of these -

This Portable USB Charger Battery Pack Can Also Jump Start Your Car


Available on Amazon for the price of .... a battery.
Various versions available price range £30-£100, I assume they use some form of capacitor to provide enough Power to turn an engine over. Useful gadget especially as it can be used to recharge all the usual gadgets.
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