Clutch In During Startup?

akima · September 12th, 2011, 02:53 PM

I've been told not to trust motorcycle neutral lights as they sometimes lie. For this reason I always start the bike with the clutch fully disengaged (lever fully squeezed).

Questions!

Do any of you do this?

Have any of you experienced a new-gen Ninjette showing a Neutral light when in-fact it is in gear?

Final question: How cute is the little guy in my avatar?!!

I should probably state that I normally leave the bike in gear when it's off and parked up so no one can roll it away. I always flick it into neutral before starting the bike.

Thanks

Bunker · September 12th, 2011, 02:59 PM

the bike wont start if it is truly in gear without pulling the clutch lever. If my neutral light is on, no clutch pulled, and it does not start, then i know it must be in gear. Bunker

kingkang204 · September 12th, 2011, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

I've been told not to trust motorcycle neutral lights as they sometimes lie. For this reason I always start the bike with the clutch fully disengaged (lever fully squeezed).

Questions!

Do any of you do this?

Have any of you experienced a new-gen Ninjette showing a Neutral light when in-fact it is in gear?

Final question: How cute is the little guy in my avatar?!!

I should probably state that I normally leave the bike in gear when it's off and parked up so no one can roll it away. I always flick it into neutral before starting the bike.

Thanks

Did MSF teach you this, they told me this when I took it. As the comment about me states the bike won't start if its not in neutral. There is a thing that ninja's do sometimes called "False Neutral" but this usually happens at speed and you can just click up or down and it will pop into gear again.

mrlmd · September 12th, 2011, 03:28 PM

Many bikes will not start unless the clutch is pulled in, and definitely will not start in gear unless the clutch is pulled in (a safety feature). You also are making it easier to start by disengaging the clutch, putting less strain on the battery and starter motor because the oil may be cold and more viscous and you don't have to get everything spinning inside the trans.

Heed · September 12th, 2011, 03:29 PM

Yep.

Hold the clutch lever in every time you start the engine. Never trust the neutral light. I remember that from the MSF.

Even if it isn't in neutral, though, you'd stall the engine immediately even if it did start.

I also remember being taught to squeeze the front brake as you're mounting just in case.

LoD575 · September 12th, 2011, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Heed

Yep.

Hold the clutch lever in every time you start the engine. Never trust the neutral light. I remember that from the MSF.

Even if it isn't in neutral, though, you'd stall the engine immediately even if it did start.

I also remember being taught to squeeze the front brake as you're mounting just in case.

I do the exact same thing.

rockNroll · September 12th, 2011, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

I've been told not to trust motorcycle neutral lights as they sometimes lie. For this reason I always start the bike with the clutch fully disengaged (lever fully squeezed).

Questions!

Do any of you do this?

Have any of you experienced a new-gen Ninjette showing a Neutral light when in-fact it is in gear?

Final question: How cute is the little guy in my avatar?!!

I should probably state that I normally leave the bike in gear when it's off and parked up so no one can roll it away. I always flick it into neutral before starting the bike.

Thanks

I usually start the bike with the clutch pulled in.

I have yet to see a neutral light on with the bike being in a gear.

He's vermin.

I always park in gear. I usually start while still in gear unless I'm standing next to the bike.

Heed · September 12th, 2011, 03:41 PM

I'd guess that it's probably more likely for the neutral light to NOT turn on when it truly is in neutral.

gfloyd2002 · September 12th, 2011, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

Do any of you do this?

Have any of you experienced a new-gen Ninjette showing a Neutral light when in-fact it is in gear?

Final question: How cute is the little guy in my avatar?!!

Yes. No. As cute as the plague and rabies.

KJohnson21 · September 12th, 2011, 04:23 PM

Yes, I always pull in the clutch while starting.

BTW, I never park it in gear unless I have to. (Parking on a grade, etc.)

Snake · September 12th, 2011, 04:42 PM

I have a pre-gen so I can't answer the clutch question.
Yes he is a cute little bugger. I have a few squirils in my back yard which I feed.

Mountain Dew · September 12th, 2011, 04:46 PM

I rarely ever start my bike without disengaging the clutch, even if I'm not sitting on it.

miss_syn · September 12th, 2011, 04:52 PM

I always start with clutch in.

Once, when I first started riding and I was at a toll booth.

Adorable!

HKr1 · September 12th, 2011, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

Final question: How cute is the little guy in my avatar?!!

He;s pretty dam cute

akima · September 13th, 2011, 02:19 AM

Just woke up. Thanks for all your responses. I think I shall continue starting with the clutch disengaged.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kingkang204

Did MSF teach you this

In England we don't have "MSF". We are forced to take quite a big test before we can ride Ninjettes (or bigger bikes). For that we go to a training school, which I suppose teaches similar stuff to your MSF. The training school people did teach me about the neutral light sometimes lying. They had beaten up 125CC bikes to learn on. Maybe they're more prone to lying.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrlmd

You also are making it easier to start by disengaging the clutch, putting less strain on the battery and starter motor because the oil may be cold and more viscous and you don't have to get everything spinning inside the trans.

That's interesting and good to know. Presumably then, if someone was trying to start their Ninjette on a low battery with the clutch engaged and the bike wasn't starting, then they could try starting the bike with the clutch disengaged and there is a better chance of it starting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gfloyd2002

As cute as the plague and rabies.

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockNroll

He's vermin.

How dare you!!

Skippii · September 13th, 2011, 03:10 AM

I don't think I've ever experienced the light on while in gear on any bike. False neutrals, however, I've experienced on just about every bike.

Quote:

this usually happens at speed and you can just click up or down and it will pop into gear again.

You MUST pull in the clutch to get out of a false neutral safely. Clutchlessly clicking it into a gear from a false neutral is a great way to get pitched off in a highside.

Jerry · September 13th, 2011, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrlmd

Many bikes will not start unless the clutch is pulled in, and definitely will not start in gear unless the clutch is pulled in (a safety feature). You also are making it easier to start by disengaging the clutch, putting less strain on the battery and starter motor because the oil may be cold and more viscous and you don't have to get everything spinning inside the trans.

Best bet, then is to get in the habit of starting with the clutch pulled in AND the bike in neutral.

(Super especially so when it's cold)

Jiggles · September 13th, 2011, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

I've been told not to trust motorcycle neutral lights as they sometimes lie. For this reason I always start the bike with the clutch fully disengaged (lever fully squeezed).

Questions!

Do any of you do this?

Have any of you experienced a new-gen Ninjette showing a Neutral light when in-fact it is in gear?

Final question: How cute is the little guy in my avatar?!!

I should probably state that I normally leave the bike in gear when it's off and parked up so no one can roll it away. I always flick it into neutral before starting the bike.

Thanks

Always

Yep

Eh, I'm more interested in seeing what a person from England named Akima looks like

akima · September 14th, 2011, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggles

Always

Yep

Eh, I'm more interested in seeing what a person from England named Akima looks like

"Akima" isn't my real name. She's a character from a film who I think is cool!

kenji_808 · September 14th, 2011, 02:31 AM

Actually you can turn the engine over a little while being in gear and the clutch not being disengaged, it will jump forward as if you killed the motor. Ive done this a few time being in a rush.

I rarely ever start my bike while holding in the clutch lever.The reason being that when I park my bike I always roll the bike up against the gear to prevent it from rolling of the side stand and so when I want to start it I have to roll off the gear and click into neutral. That way I know for sure my bike isn't in gear. Since that Neutral light doesnt like to work sometimes

Jiggles · September 14th, 2011, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

"Akima" isn't my real name. She's a character from a film who I think is cool!

That makes more sense. I was picturing a japanese person with an english accent.

Like that starburst commercial with the scottish koreans lol.

akima · September 14th, 2011, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jiggles

That makes more sense. I was picturing a japanese person with an english accent.

Like that starburst commercial with the scottish koreans lol.

My last house mate was a Japanese guy, born in Scotland but with an English accent.

LazinCajun · September 14th, 2011, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rockNroll

I have yet to see a neutral light on with the bike being in a gear.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skippii

I don't think I've ever experienced the light on while in gear on any bike. False neutrals, however, I've experienced on just about every bike.

I have! For a while my confused little ninjette had a faulty neutral switch, and happily showed neutral as I rode off.

As for the clutch lever -- I personally think it's a good habit to have. I feel like it's one of those little things that will probably never make a difference to most people, but 1/10000 will avoid a parking lot drop because they pulled the clutch while starting.

Mr.E · September 14th, 2011, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

Final question: How cute is the little guy in my avatar?!!

Not sure if other people do this, but when I read posts sometimes the voice inside my head sounds different based on the persons avatar. I always imagine a squeaky thing talking when I read you're posts because of that lol.

akima · September 14th, 2011, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.E

Not sure if other people do this, but when I read posts sometimes the voice inside my head sounds different based on the persons avatar. I always imagine a squeaky thing talking when I read you're posts because of that lol.

ha ha! I'm not squeaky.

Here's a mysterious picture of me to replace your mental image of me as a cute, squeaky, squirrel:

paddle_out.jpg

jamesio · September 14th, 2011, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

I've been told not to trust motorcycle neutral lights as they sometimes lie. For this reason I always start the bike with the clutch fully disengaged (lever fully squeezed).

Questions!

Do any of you do this?

Have any of you experienced a new-gen Ninjette showing a Neutral light when in-fact it is in gear?

Final question: How cute is the little guy in my avatar?!!

I should probably state that I normally leave the bike in gear when it's off and parked up so no one can roll it away. I always flick it into neutral before starting the bike.

Thanks

Totally cute!

Check out my pic...I call it surfs up squirrel

Oh, and never happened to me b4 and have never heard not to trust neutral lights. I always park and start mine in neutral, unless on a hill or something. The clutch safety switch will prevent the bike from starting anyway if it's in gear with the clutch engaged (lever out).

akima · September 14th, 2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesio

Totally cute!

Check out my pic...I call it surfs up squirrel

Oh, and never happened to me b4 and have never heard not to trust neutral lights. I always park and start mine in neutral, unless on a hill or something. The clutch safety switch will prevent the bike from starting anyway if it's in gear with the clutch engaged (lever out).

Aww. Adorable little guy.

This is my favourite one:

I laughed so hard when I saw that. That couple had set their camera to go off on a timer and that little guy popped up out of nowhere!

Mr.E · September 14th, 2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

ha ha! I'm not squeaky.

Here's a mysterious picture of me to replace your mental image of me as a cute, squeaky, squirrel:

Attachment 14743

Hmmm. Which tree are you in? Just kidding lol. I looked at the pic before clicking on it, and it looked like you were walking on water. It was very mysterious indeed.

jamesio · September 14th, 2011, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akima

Aww. Adorable little guy.

This is my favourite one:

I laughed so hard when I saw that. That couple had set their camera to go off on a timer and that little guy popped up out of nowhere!

oh my gosh! That's so cute

areifel · September 14th, 2011, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bunker

the bike wont start if it is truly in gear without pulling the clutch lever. If my neutral light is on, no clutch pulled, and it does not start, then i know it must be in gear. Bunker

i have had many mishaps when the indicator neutral light was lit up and when i went to start my bike it leapt forward, almost falling over. you should never really rely on the neutral light

Alex · September 14th, 2011, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamesio

I always park and start mine in neutral, unless on a hill or something.

You should consider always parking with the bike in gear. Put it in first, let the clutch out, roll the bike forward to take up all the drivetrain slack, and put the kickstand down. It keeps the bike from rolling forward at all without a very significant bump from behind, and makes it that much less likely it ends up on its side unexpectedly.

Clearlynotstefan · September 14th, 2011, 11:44 PM

With the GSXR you have options
You can start it in neutral with the side stand down using clutch
you can't start it in gear if the side stand is down, even with the clutch in
The bike has to be in neutral to start with the kickstand down

I usually park in first and leave it. then when riding, I click down to neutral, and start it (clutch required) then gear up and wait to ride

September 12th, 2011, 02:53 PM	#1
akima Nooblet Name: Akima Location: England Join Date: Jul 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2011 Ninja 250R FI Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '13	Clutch In During Startup? I've been told not to trust motorcycle neutral lights as they sometimes lie. For this reason I always start the bike with the clutch fully disengaged (lever fully squeezed). Questions! Do any of you do this? Have any of you experienced a new-gen Ninjette showing a Neutral light when in-fact it is in gear? Final question: How cute is the little guy in my avatar?!! I should probably state that I normally leave the bike in gear when it's off and parked up so no one can roll it away. I always flick it into neutral before starting the bike. Thanks

September 12th, 2011, 04:23 PM	#10
KJohnson21 ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Ken Location: Indio, CA Join Date: Dec 2008 Motorcycle(s): '08 Kawasaki EX250 "Yoshi", '99 Kawasaki Concours "Grace", '06 Concours "Belle", '06 Yamaha YZF600R "Slick" Posts: A lot. Blog Entries: 3	Yes, I always pull in the clutch while starting. BTW, I never park it in gear unless I have to. (Parking on a grade, etc.) __________________________________________________ < ATGATT > Sweat you can wipe off, Road rash you can't. HEY!! Unregistered!! Does your bike have a name?

September 12th, 2011, 04:46 PM	#12
Mountain Dew Ambrosia. Name: Jaymie Location: Oahu, Hawaii Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): 1974 Honda CB550K0 W.I.P. Posts: A lot.	I rarely ever start my bike without disengaging the clutch, even if I'm not sitting on it. __________________________________________________ Life's better on the Mountain.

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September 12th, 2011, 02:59 PM	#2
Bunker ninjette.org member Name: bunker Location: binghamton ny Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): gold wing 2008 Posts: 36	the bike wont start if it is truly in gear without pulling the clutch lever. If my neutral light is on, no clutch pulled, and it does not start, then i know it must be in gear. Bunker

September 12th, 2011, 03:28 PM	#4
mrlmd ninjette.org sage Name: Marc Location: Crawfordville, Florida Join Date: Jan 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2005 Suzuki S50, 2006 Kawasaki Ninja EX250F, 1990 Honda PC800, 2000 Yamaha TW200 Posts: 848	Many bikes will not start unless the clutch is pulled in, and definitely will not start in gear unless the clutch is pulled in (a safety feature). You also are making it easier to start by disengaging the clutch, putting less strain on the battery and starter motor because the oil may be cold and more viscous and you don't have to get everything spinning inside the trans.

September 12th, 2011, 03:29 PM	#5
Heed ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: John Location: Illinois Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): None yet, yet. Posts: A lot.	Yep. Hold the clutch lever in every time you start the engine. Never trust the neutral light. I remember that from the MSF. Even if it isn't in neutral, though, you'd stall the engine immediately even if it did start. I also remember being taught to squeeze the front brake as you're mounting just in case.

September 12th, 2011, 03:41 PM	#8
Heed ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: John Location: Illinois Join Date: Aug 2011 Motorcycle(s): None yet, yet. Posts: A lot.	I'd guess that it's probably more likely for the neutral light to NOT turn on when it truly is in neutral.

September 12th, 2011, 04:42 PM	#11
Snake ninjette.org certified postwhore Name: Rick Location: Alexandria, Louisiana Join Date: Jan 2009 Motorcycle(s): 05 Blue Ninja 250 Posts: Too much. MOTY - 2017, MOTM - Jan '19, Oct '16, May '14	I have a pre-gen so I can't answer the clutch question. Yes he is a cute little bugger. I have a few squirils in my back yard which I feed.

September 12th, 2011, 04:52 PM	#13
miss_syn my hair matches my bike Name: Tiffany Location: Greater Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2010 Red 250r Posts: 411	I always start with clutch in. Once, when I first started riding and I was at a toll booth. Adorable!

September 14th, 2011, 02:31 AM	#20
kenji_808 ninjette.org member Name: Justin Location: Ewa Beach, HI Join Date: Feb 2010 Motorcycle(s): 2009 CT Blue 250R(Sold), 2008 Black & Silver Honda CBR600RR(Current) Posts: 201	Actually you can turn the engine over a little while being in gear and the clutch not being disengaged, it will jump forward as if you killed the motor. Ive done this a few time being in a rush. I rarely ever start my bike while holding in the clutch lever.The reason being that when I park my bike I always roll the bike up against the gear to prevent it from rolling of the side stand and so when I want to start it I have to roll off the gear and click into neutral. That way I know for sure my bike isn't in gear. Since that Neutral light doesnt like to work sometimes

September 14th, 2011, 11:44 PM	#32
Clearlynotstefan ninjette.org member Name: Stefan Location: Riverhead, Long Island, New York Join Date: Apr 2011 Motorcycle(s): 2000 Ninja 250, Totally black. Gsxr 600 Red. Posts: 179	With the GSXR you have options You can start it in neutral with the side stand down using clutch you can't start it in gear if the side stand is down, even with the clutch in The bike has to be in neutral to start with the kickstand down I usually park in first and leave it. then when riding, I click down to neutral, and start it (clutch required) then gear up and wait to ride