Start Engine in Neutral?

May 19, 2009
752
60
Caldwell, ID
Name
Barbara
Started the 2013 TG and noticed not able to start in gear w/clutch pulled in...will only start in neutral. Have ClutchWiz installed. Is this something new for the Tri-Glides? The '09 would start in any gear.
 
Police Harleys have been like that for years. My "07" Police Road King has to be in Neutral.
 
Started the 2013 TG and noticed not able to start in gear w/clutch pulled in...will only start in neutral. Have ClutchWiz installed. Is this something new for the Tri-Glides? The '09 would start in any gear.

My 2011 Tri will start in gear, :Shrug:
 
My 2012 will start in gear with the clutch pulled in. Glad the safety switch works as I have hit the starter with the bike in gear with the clutch not engaged in a moment of brain fade.
 
My independent Harley mechanic is an advocate of starting
the bike in neutral. Says that there is less wear and tear
on starter.

And if the Trike was setting for a while it's also easier on the clutch plates.
 
Not sure if this is the same "problem" or not. On both my 2011 Limited, now traded in on my 2013 TriGlide, there are times when the bike just will not start if it's in gear. I let all the gauges and lights turn turn on the way it says to do it, but every once in a while it does nothing when I hit the start switch. If you turn everything off and try it again, it will usually start right up. I took it in to the dealer to see if they could figure out what was wrong, but of course they couldn't duplicate the problem. Have since heard of others having the same problem every once in a while. If it's in neutral, it never fails to start.
 
Not sure if this is the same "problem" or not. On both my 2011 Limited, now traded in on my 2013 TriGlide, there are times when the bike just will not start if it's in gear. I let all the gauges and lights turn turn on the way it says to do it, but every once in a while it does nothing when I hit the start switch. If you turn everything off and try it again, it will usually start right up. I took it in to the dealer to see if they could figure out what was wrong, but of course they couldn't duplicate the problem. Have since heard of others having the same problem every once in a while. If it's in neutral, it never fails to start.

Interesting....that's the feedback I was looking for. Actually I kind of like starting the bike in neutral and really want to keep the fringies on the levers. Have to be in neutral to use the reverse function anyway. We're now in a white-out snow condition :censored:

Barbara
 
What you're getting now is headed our way. Been really nice here this week, but the storm is headed our way and supposed to arrive on Friday. YOu sure you don't want to keep it there for a few more days? Not sure how much snow we're getting, but the atctic cold is supposed to settle in again....single digit lows.

Reread my last post to you and I didn't make it very clear that both the Limited had and the new 2013 TriGlide have the problem of not starting sometimes in gear. With the TriGlide I haven't even mentioned it to the service guys because I got used to it happening I guess. It is odd though.
 
Barb- If you don't mind starting it in neutral then I guess it would be no big thing if you took the fringe off or not. A lot of times I start mine in neutral as it will slip right into neutral when not running so when I start it up in the garage I can put it right into reverse with no problems.

Both daughters replied to me this morning about it being a snow day in Nampa and Boise. We are in a winter storm watch for here starting tonight into early Saturday morning. They are forecasting 6 to 10 inches in parts of the state (including here in Jamestown). We could have blizzard conditions tomorrow afternoon and evening. Also supposed to have freezing rain and drizzle tonight before it turns to snow. Nothing like a good coating of ice and then snow on top of it.

2011 Merlot and Black TG, Dennis' lift kit and chrome deflectors, HD LED headlight and taillights, Airfoil rack with LED lights, lower facia with LED lights, LRS 9 in. flattop windshield, cat removed, Stage 1 with 2012 CVO slipons and PCV tuner. Some bling to make it go faster.
 
Crap snow, schools closed, fender benders....yep, it's Idaho!






Barb- If you don't mind starting it in neutral then I guess it would be no big thing if you took the fringe off or not. A lot of times I start mine in neutral as it will slip right into neutral when not running so when I start it up in the garage I can put it right into reverse with no problems.

Both daughters replied to me this morning about it being a snow day in Nampa and Boise. We are in a winter storm watch for here starting tonight into early Saturday morning. They are forecasting 6 to 10 inches in parts of the state (including here in Jamestown). We could have blizzard conditions tomorrow afternoon and evening. Also supposed to have freezing rain and drizzle tonight before it turns to snow. Nothing like a good coating of ice and then snow on top of it.

2011 Merlot and Black TG, Dennis' lift kit and chrome deflectors, HD LED headlight and taillights, Airfoil rack with LED lights, lower facia with LED lights, LRS 9 in. flattop windshield, cat removed, Stage 1 with 2012 CVO slipons and PCV tuner. Some bling to make it go faster.
 
:wave4: I do the same....start up in garage and reverse out.

Barbara



Barb- If you don't mind starting it in neutral then I guess it would be no big thing if you took the fringe off or not. A lot of times I start mine in neutral as it will slip right into neutral when not running so when I start it up in the garage I can put it right into reverse with no problems.

Both daughters replied to me this morning about it being a snow day in Nampa and Boise. We are in a winter storm watch for here starting tonight into early Saturday morning. They are forecasting 6 to 10 inches in parts of the state (including here in Jamestown). We could have blizzard conditions tomorrow afternoon and evening. Also supposed to have freezing rain and drizzle tonight before it turns to snow. Nothing like a good coating of ice and then snow on top of it.

2011 Merlot and Black TG, Dennis' lift kit and chrome deflectors, HD LED headlight and taillights, Airfoil rack with LED lights, lower facia with LED lights, LRS 9 in. flattop windshield, cat removed, Stage 1 with 2012 CVO slipons and PCV tuner. Some bling to make it go faster.
 
both daughters replied to me this morning about it being a snow day in Nampa and Boise. We are in a winter storm watch for here starting tonight into early Saturday morning. They are forecasting 6 to 10 inches in parts of the state (including here in Jamestown). We could have blizzard conditions tomorrow afternoon and evening. Also supposed to have freezing rain and drizzle tonight before it turns to snow.

What are those 'snow days' you speak of? We were plannin a ride to Daytona Beach tomorrow and a tractor pull on Saturday.

PC
 
both daughters replied to me this morning about it being a snow day in Nampa and Boise. We are in a winter storm watch for here starting tonight into early Saturday morning. They are forecasting 6 to 10 inches in parts of the state (including here in Jamestown). We could have blizzard conditions tomorrow afternoon and evening. Also supposed to have freezing rain and drizzle tonight before it turns to snow.

What are those 'snow days' you speak of? We were plannin a ride to Daytona Beach tomorrow and a tractor pull on Saturday.

PC

You lucky dog Phu......it has been snowing for weeks now, single-digit temps and windy. The one day it got to 40* late afternoon, not warm enough to melt anything!!! I'll trade you weather?

Barbara
 
Barbara, did you ever try pushing it out of the garage?
They push easier than one might think. I was surprised on how easy it is, and push it back out most of the time.

Later, eighty80.
 
My thoughts, I would want mine to start in gear with the clutch pulled in. There comes a time when everyone stalls one at a lite, its quicker to pull in the clutch and hit the starter vs finding neutral and restarting.

Another thought, if its sitting on a hill or incline you may not get it out of gear and into neutral without the engine running, one other reason to be able to start it in gear with the clutch in.
 
I've always started all of my motorcycles with the clutch pulled in and in neutral. Even with proper clutch adjustment, I can feel a little "pull" on the drivetrain when starting in gear vs. starting in neutral. I also feel it's easier for the engine to spin off the starter in neutral, for the same reason. Having said that, once started, I put the trike in first gear, then neutral again before engaging my Champion reverse. If I do not follow this procedure, I get some grinding going to reverse straight out of the initial neutral.
 
My 12 will not start but in neutral...no issue for me, I've just got in the habit of keeping it in neutral.

And worst than snow.....74 degrees in Nashville and 70%...100% RAIN for the next 3-4 days!!!
 
I'll take rain any day over snow. You can at least ride in the rain.

Barb - the storm missed Denver. The mountains are getting all the snow and sparing us, but it's still plenty cold!! Only 20° for a high tomorrow, but I might still do a short ride to the dealership since the roads are dry.
 
Barbara, did you ever try pushing it out of the garage?
They push easier than one might think. I was surprised on how easy it is, and push it back out most of the time.

Later, eighty80.

I pushed out of garage for picture-taking...wanted to hear it run, so started up for 2 ft to garage!

2* low and high of 23* tomorrow...more of the same next week:AGGHH:

Trike arrived last month with 5 miles on it.....still has 5 miles :mad:
 
I pushed out of garage for picture-taking...wanted to hear it run, so started up for 2 ft to garage!

2* low and high of 23* tomorrow...more of the same next week:AGGHH:

Trike arrived last month with 5 miles on it.....still has 5 miles :mad:

I see your old ride up for sale for $28,000.


:Trike1:
 
I don't like that HARD clunk when put in gear after a cold start! I start in neutral let it run a sec or so then hit the kill switch put it in gear and restart, no hard clunk. Also if I parked where I need reverse (Champion) I do as above and still put it in first then out and into reverse with no clunk. Glad I can start in gear. I always pull clutch in even if I am in neutral. Yes if you kill it at a light good it will start in gear.
 
I don't like that HARD clunk when put in gear after a cold start! I start in neutral let it run a sec or so then hit the kill switch put it in gear and restart, no hard clunk. Also if I parked where I need reverse (Champion) I do as above and still put it in first then out and into reverse with no clunk. Glad I can start in gear. I always pull clutch in even if I am in neutral. Yes if you kill it at a light good it will start in gear.

Have you ever tried going from neutral to 2nd, then to 1st?
I get much less of a clunk this way.
 
Do you still have the stock grips on the bike? If you changed the grips the clutch lever is hitting the grip before the switch. This happens with the Gold wing when you change over to Kuryakyn grips. Also if you change levers.
 

Welcome to the Trike Talk Community

Join our vibrant online community dedicated to all things Trikes! Whether you're a seasoned rider or just starting out, this is the place to share experiences, tips, and stories about your three-wheeled adventures. Explore modifications, maintenance advice, and rides, all while connecting with fellow trike enthusiasts from around the globe

Forum statistics

Threads
55,380
Messages
804,626
Members
23,949
Latest member
SOSMentor
Back
Top Bottom