bump starting a falco

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Steve_P · #1 Post by **Steve_P** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 8:13 pm

anyone managed to do this? I tried it once when the battery was flat and with me sitting on it and paddling my feet, plus the missus running behind while pushing it. Just locked the rear wheel solid when I dumped the clutch, no chance!

EdinburghFalco · #2 Post by **EdinburghFalco** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:11 pm

Never been able to do it and I live on quite a steep hill.
It does start quite easy from a car with jump leads, just turn the ignition on, no engine running on the car and it fires up first time generally

yellowasp · #3 Post by **yellowasp** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 9:58 pm

You need a higher gear if you are locking the wheel.

GregD-UK · #4 Post by **GregD-UK** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 10:04 pm

higher, steepeer hill as well

Nooj · #5 Post by **Nooj** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 10:06 pm

Done it down an Alp in the snow, just in time as there was a hairpin coming up. Steep hills are only helpful if you're pointing in the right direction.

sabestian · #6 Post by **sabestian** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 10:09 pm

last time I tried, I was running on the near side, jumped on, dumped the clutch, the wheel locked, lost balance, flew over the bike to the right, and we both kissed the ground. No damage done (the pride was in pieces, though).

I don't think I'll be doing it again.

Aladinsaneuk · #7 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Sat Mar 28, 2009 10:21 pm

i have this card that says RAC on it.....

never been tempted to even try

ibicker · #8 Post by **ibicker** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 9:21 am

tried it a few times when had old battery. Had the same wheel locking thing even in second. Think them big twins are hard to turn over when cold. Find jumping from the missus car the best option although this doesnt go down too well at three in the morning!

Syltiz · #9 Post by **Syltiz** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 12:04 pm

I did it once, with a mate pushing I stood on the footpegs and dropped my heavy ass on the seat while dropping it into second. Worked a charm but I guess I was just lucky.

Fausto · #10 Post by **Fausto** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 12:25 pm

Not a Falco but I had to bump start my old XJ550 each and every time on the way home from the French Riviera years ago.

Not a major problem for me - just for my mates who had to do the pushing each time and then run back for their bikes while I disappeared up the road.

The hairy one was on the ferry though. We were right up at the front against the ramp coming into dock so had to bump start it up the ramp and stop before I rode over the top into the sea. That got the heart going! Don't know why we didn't wait until the ramp touched the dock but there must have been a reason. Of course back in those days the boats crossed the channel with the doors open anyway

Falcomille · #11 Post by **Falcomille** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 3:18 pm

What was the slogan... Over you go with P&O?

D-Rider · #12 Post by **D-Rider** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 3:50 pm

Fausto wrote:Of course back in those days the boats crossed the channel with the doors open anyway

Ah yes the infamous RORORO system:

Roll On, Roll Off, Roll Over

Aladinsaneuk · #13 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Sun Mar 29, 2009 4:07 pm

but a free car wash with each voyage!