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Bike lurches when started with clutch pulled

domingo3

domingo3

Newb
Joined
Jan 9, 2014
Location
Albany
Moto(s)
2016 Zero SR
Name
:emaN
I think that the clutch cable is adjusted properly.

If the bike is in gear and I pull the clutch in when I start it cold, the bike wil lurch a bit when I hit the starter (bad). Once it's running , if I pull the clutch in and rev the engine, there's no forward motion (good). I thought maybe the clutch cable might have been sticking, so tried puling and releasing a few times before starting, but it still does this.

Of course, I know I can put the bike into neutral when I start it, and that's what I normally do. On my previous bikes, I never had this issue with starting in gear. Is this bike just different? Have I been doing it wrong all along? Is there something else that might be off?

TIA
 
Some bikes tend to do that. (Ernie will probably be along soon to confirm or deny. ;) ) Short fix, is to bounce the bike back and forth a couple times with the bike in gear, and the clutch pulled in, so that you free the plates and can roll the bike. If you are due for an oil change, that may help as well. Long fix, is to pull out the shop manual, and go through all the adjustments to be sure everything's the way it should be.
 
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Sometimes when a bike sits for a bit the clutch plates stick together. As long as it isn't dragging while running and you have the proper free play at the lever, it's most likely ok.
 
how many miles on the clutch? how many since your last oil change? what kind of oil? all 3 of these things would contribute to a sticky clutch. however, i agree w/ the others that its not really a big deal if it doesnt drag when warm and u have proper freeplay.
 
Stormdragon said:
Short fix, is to bounce the bike back and forth a couple times with the bike in gear, and the clutch pulled in, so that you free the plates and can roll the bike.
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This
 
My SV650 did this way back when I bought it from the original owner. When I bought it, it was an 8yr old bike with 3K miles and I dont think he ever changed the oil. Once warmed up, it never lurched upon starting.

I adjusted to clutch at the lever and changed the oil. Problem went away and never returned.
 
cold oil drags the clutch plates. Start it in neutral. Sv's are really bad in this regard. Even low mileage ones will often drag EVEN with hot oil.
 
The bike is a 2007 SV650 with 30k+ miles. Changed the oil with Rotella less than 1K miles ago. The lurching was there before the oil change and did not change after the oil change. Will try the trick of bouncing it back and forth before starting. Clutch definitely seems properly adjusted and doesn't drag when running. Overall doesn't sound like it's something to be worried about. Thanks for the feedback.
 
oldapeman said:
There really is no reason to start the bike in any gear position except neutral.
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Sure there is. Bike stalls in an intersection, I'll be damned if I'm going to fish for neutral before hitting the button.
 
Clutch lever/cable slack properly set?

Maybe too much slack going on?
 
flying_hun said:
Sure there is. Bike stalls in an intersection, I'll be damned if I'm going to fish for neutral before hitting the button.
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In that case, the oil would be hot and the clutch plates spinning freely. In general, I'm not a fan of starting a cold bike in gear, just from the chance I'll forget I'm in gear and pop the clutch, or my hand slips off the clutch, and I lurch forward into something.
 
bcv_west said:
In that case, the oil would be hot and the clutch plates spinning freely. In general, I'm not a fan of starting a cold bike in gear, just from the chance I'll forget I'm in gear and pop the clutch, or my hand slips off the clutch, and I lurch forward into something.
Click to expand...

In general, I start my bike in neutral, but even then I'll break the clutch plates loose before I start it by rocking in gear with the clutch disengaged, then put it in neutral. I hate the "clunk" otherwise.
 
Perfectly normal with a wet clutch. Go ride.
 
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