F4i Starting/Electrical Problemsh

F4i Starting/Electrical Problems

Hello Experts:

I have a problem with my F4i that just started this morning.

1) Bike in Neutral, clutch in, start.
2) Clutch still in, click into first, engine dies.

Again started in Neutral, engage clutch click into 2nd this time, engine dies.

After about 5 of these, my the engine will do longer turn over and I just get some rapid clicking from the left side of the engine.

I am sure the clutch is working because with in pulled in, and the bike in gear, I can push the bike around.

I thought this might be an electrical problem so I started looking around for any loose connections. Should I look near the clutch lever or the shifter? I have the service manual at home, so I will have a look see later tonight, but in the meanwhile, I have to tow the bike home.... Any one know if AAA tows bikes too?

Thanks in advance.

sounds as if your kick-stand position switch isn't working. when this switch heads south the bike will start fine in nuetral, but as soon as the transmission is put into gear it kills the bike. try bridging across the connection @ the wiring harness and see if it fixes it

Hey Shawn, are we still on for Saturday?

I was just thinking about the kick stand sensor - shit... maybe I had my kickstand down the whole time, I can't remember. Rookie mistake. Anyway, Im gonna go check it out tonight - First I need to get it towed home.

No need to tow it. Stick in 2nd gear and bump start it. I would be very surprised if the kick stand wasnt down. If it wasnt, its very easy to bridge the switch.

Let me know what happens mang...

I really hope it was just that your kick stand was down.

Im such a Rook.

Thanks Elskip, Oakf4i, and StaRang -

I was the kickstand, I musta had it down in the morning.

Drove over, jumped it (from a turned off car, or course) and just rode home.

We have all done something similiar I'm sure.

Sweet mang... Glad to hear that...

I've done that a few times.

No need to jump it. Bump it.

1. Get it moving at 5 mph with clutch in while in 2nd with the ignition and kill switch set to run and no throttle.
2. Dump clutch.
3. As it starts firing (this should be quick), give it clutch again (unless you like riding a bucking bike).

The best way is if you have a little hill to use so you don't have to run with the bike. Second best way is to get a friend to push for you.

Practice when your battery isn't dead. Then you won't get all stressed if you wear out the battery with a brain-fart like this morning.

Bump Starting

I've tried bump starting a little Aprilia RS 50 I used to own, and was unsuccessful - I've done it with a old civic, so I think I understand the concept.

Do you run alongside the bike and then try to jump on? Or do you straddle the bike and push it up to 5mpg

Do you run with the bike in gear and the clutch in, or do you push it in neutral, get it up to speed, clutch in, click to 2nd, then clutch out?

I need to master bump starting sooner or later... to thanks in advance.

Re: Bump Starting

ahbuhjee said:

I've tried bump starting a little Aprilia RS 50 I used to own, and was unsuccessful - I've done it with a old civic, so I think I understand the concept.

Do you run alongside the bike and then try to jump on? Or do you straddle the bike and push it up to 5mpg

Do you run with the bike in gear and the clutch in, or do you push it in neutral, get it up to speed, clutch in, click to 2nd, then clutch out?

I need to master bump starting sooner or later... to thanks in advance.

Click to expand...

Run along side if you have no hill, although make sure you're able to hop onto the bike while running. I've seen someone smash their tail fairing and hurt their knee when attempting to hop onto the bike. If you've got a hill, climb on, and aim for the bottom.

Put it into 2nd and just ride the clutch. If you're attemtping to run it on flat ground, you'll lose some speed while shifting into 2nd, just make sure you don't let go of the clutch while running, that has potential to hurt really badly.

I recomend using the friend method or a hill. Less of a chance of either releasing the clutch while running along side, or attempting to hop on and falling. Both would result in a dropped bike.

Also, if you've got cables and a car, you can use the car battery, just don't start the car. Connect, and then start your bike, leaving the car off the whole time.

yeah run with it in neutral, cuz even if the clutch is in there's still drag with it in gear. the faster you go the better, and higher gears are better because the wheel has more leverage over the engine. and let me rant for a minute...WHY do people always wait around helplessly for a jumpstart? HELLOOOOO!!!! i used to push-start my jetta by myself! a bike is so easy to bump-start it's ridiculous....aauugghh. and i never practiced, i just did it cuz i had to one day. run alongside the bike with it in neutral, everything set to on. jump on, click into 2nd, hold a little throttle, dump the clutch and as soon as it turns over a couple times pull the clutch back in and rev it gently to make sure it doesn't die and ride away happy.