How to Jump-Start a Harley Davidson Motorcycle

Battery drainage is one of the most common issues that prevent motorcycles from starting. Modern Harley Davidson motorcycles have an electric starter that uses electricity to ignite the engine. However, when the battery is drained, the starter cannot initiate the ignition process. If your Harley motorcycle is having starting issues, it is probably because of a weak or dead battery. You must regularly check the state of your motorcycle battery and keep it charged, especially when storing it in winter or for a long period.

It can be frustrating if your Harley motorcycle refuses to start, especially during a ride. If you find yourself in such a situation, make sure to first check the battery’s voltage. If it is below a nominal level (12V), it means the battery is drained and must be recharged. If you are on a motorcycle tour and no mechanic shops are located nearby, you can try to jump-start your Harley motorcycle instead. Harley motorcycles, especially touring bikes, are quite heavy and difficult to move to the nearest mechanic shop with the engine turned off. Harley Davidson does not recommend jump-starting a motorcycle as it can be dangerous and cause permanent damage to the battery and electrical systems. But sometimes you have no other option. Read this article to learn how to jump-start a Harley Davidson motorcycle.

Checking your motorcycle battery’s condition is a basic maintenance process that must be performed to reduce the risk of starting issues.

The most basic test to check a motorcycle battery is by checking the brightness of the motorcycle’s lights. Dim lights mean the battery is drained and must be recharged.

If you have a volt or multimeter, you can use either to check the battery’s voltage. It is a simple tool with a small digital screen and connecting probes that attach to the positive and negative terminals. Connect the multimeter’s red probe to the battery’s positive terminal and the black probe to the battery’s negative terminal. Set the multimeter’s knob to V with the straight and dotted line on top of it (denoting the DC voltage) to check the voltage level of the battery. If the screen displays a DC voltage level of 12.7 V or above, the battery is fully charged.

However, a voltage level below 12 V means the battery needs to be recharged.

• Harley Davidson motorcycles are equipped with a 12V battery. If the battery becomes drained and you have to jump-start the motorcycle, make sure any donor battery can generate 12 V. Using a donor battery with a higher voltage can result in permanent damage to the drained battery and the motorcycle’s electrical systems.
• Make sure to keep the negative terminal/cable of the battery away from the metal, chrome, and painted motorcycle parts to avoid damage and staining.
• Connect the terminals/cables of the drained and donor batteries carefully. After connecting the jumper cable to the donor battery’s negative terminal, ensure the other end of the cable does not touch or come close to the negative terminal of the drained battery to avoid damage. Otherwise, it could cause an explosion, resulting in severe injuries or even death.
• While jump-starting a motorcycle to charge the drained battery, make sure to keep any flammable objects away from the work area.
• Make sure the connections are tight and the jumper cables are properly attached.

The most common way of jump-starting a Harley Davidson is by using another motorcycle. If you are stuck due to a drained battery and there is no mechanic shop nearby, you can ask a motorcycle rider to stop and help jump-start your motorcycle. However, you must have jumper cables to connect the drained and donor batteries and wrenches to remove the seats to access the batteries. Some motorcycles have batteries placed inside the frame under the battery cover.

• Turn off both motorcycles and all electrical equipment.
• Remove the seats to access both batteries and connect them carefully to transfer power from the donor battery to the drained battery.
• Use a jumper cable to connect the positive terminal of the drained battery with the positive terminal of the donor battery.
• Using another jumper cable to connect one end to the negative terminal of the donor battery.
• The other end of the jumper cable must be connected to the ground. This can be a bolt or a metal surface that is not covered in chrome or painted to avoid discoloration. Make sure to keep this end of the cable away from the drained battery to prevent sparks and explosions.
• Turn on both motorcycles and wait until the drained battery has adequate charge.
• Disconnect the connections by first removing the end of the jumper cable connected to the ground.
• Then disconnect the end of the same jumper cable connected to the negative terminal of the donor battery.
• Disconnect the jumper cable connected to the positive terminal of the donor battery
• Finally, disconnect the other side of the same jumper cable connected to the positive terminal of the drained battery that is now charged.

It is best to carry a portable jump-starter kit to charge your battery if the motorcycle does not start. It is a handy portable battery charger to have in case of emergencies where you cannot get help and there is no mechanic shop nearby. The portable jump-starter kit is lightweight and easy to carry. To jump-start a Harley Davidson using a portable jump-starter kit, you need to connect it to the drained battery using clips attached to the jump-starter.

• Remove the seat to access the battery.
• Turn off your Harley Davidson motorcycle after putting it in neutral gear.
• The red clip (+ve) attached to the jump-starter must be connected to the positive terminal of the battery. Meanwhile, the black clip (-ve) attached to the jump-starter must be connected to the negative terminal of the battery.
• Push the power button on the jump-starter to turn it on.
• Now turn on your motorcycle. If it starts, your motorcycle battery has adequate charge.
• Turn off the jump-starter and remove the clips from your motorcycle’s battery.

There is another way to jump-start a Harley Davidson motorcycle without removing the seat. It is the easiest solution to charge your drained battery. To start your motorcycle, you will need a portable jump-starter.

• Locate the starter on your Harley Davidson motorcycle. In most Harley motorcycles, it is located behind the engine near the exhaust system. The starter is connected to the battery and has a bolt that connects to the hot wire.
• Turn off your motorcycle and put it in neutral gear.
• To connect the jump-starter, connect the red clip (+ve) to the bolt on the starter and the black clip (-ve) to any bolt or metal surface (ground). Make sure not to connect the black clip to any chrome or painted part.
• After the clips are connected, push the power button on the jump-starter to turn it on.
• Turn on the motorcycle to see if it starts. If it does not start, it means your motorcycle’s battery is dead.
• Do not keep trying to charge it with the jump-starter by turning it off and on as it will damage the jump-starter.
• Try the other ways listed above to jump-start your motorcycle or you may need to replace the battery.
• If your motorcycle starts, switch off the jump-starter and remove the clips.

Harley Davidson does not recommend jump-starting a motorcycle battery. However, there are times when you have no other option other than to jump-start your Harley motorcycle. Jump-starting a Harley motorcycle is not bad if it is done properly. The connections must not be secure, good-quality jumper cables must be used, and step-by-step instructions must be followed carefully.

Do not jump-start your motorcycle using a car battery as it is more powerful and has higher voltage. It can damage your motorcycle’s battery and electrical system. In severe cases, it can also cause the drained motorcycle battery to explode, resulting in severe injuries and even death.

It is common for older Harley Davidson motorcycles to have batteries that drain quickly. There are several other reasons why motorcycle batteries become drained more quickly, including high power consumption due to running more electrical equipment and storing motorcycles for long periods. It can be frustrating if your Harley motorcycle does not start due to a drained battery with no mechanic available. For such situations, it helps to know how to jump-start a Harley Davidson. There are different ways to jump-start a Harley motorcycle but the most common method is by using another motorcycle. However, it is recommended you carry a portable jump starter so you can easily start your Harley motorcycle.

If you love to go on motorcycle tours, make sure you carry a portable jump-starter, jumper cables, and a wrench to remove the seat. Make sure to make connections carefully to avoid any damage to the motorcycle battery and electrical equipment. Viking Bags offer a variety of good-quality luggage bags, including sissy bar bags, saddlebags, tank bags, tool bags, and trunk bags to carry these tools. There are several modifications you can make to make touring more comfortable, including sissy bars, fairings, crash bars, and backrests.