How to Jump-Start Your Motorcycle

While it’s unlikely you’ll be jump-starting your motorcycle on a regular basis, if an emergency ever arises it can be extremely helpful to know how to set up a successful jump. For instructions on how to jump-start your motorcycle and what tools you’ll need, take a look at our helpful article below.  

Using a Car

To set up a motorcycle jump-start all you really need is a set of motorcycle jumper cables, a durable set of gloves, and a nearby car or motorcycle to help give your battery a bit of charge. However, car batteries tend to be much larger than those on a motorcycle, and it’s common for motorists to jump their vehicles incorrectly and end up damaging their bikes. If a car battery is the only thing available to help start your motorcycle you’ll need to act very cautiously. Double-check that both your motorcycle and the car are using a 12-volt battery, and make sure that the car never turns on throughout the jump. Once the jumper cables are connected to both vehicles, wait 1 to 2 minutes before turning your ignition to see if the car has successfully charged your motorcycle’s batteries. If your lights come on, your battery is likely charged and you’re welcome to try starting your motorcycle.

Using a Motorcycle

Jump-starting your motorcycle with another bike is a much easier process, although you’ll still want to act cautiously. Grabbing your jumper cables, connect the red wire to the positive battery pole on each bike, then connect the black cable to a grounded piece of metal—such as the motorcycle’s frame. Once this is done, start up the working motorcycle and then your own, and allow them both to idle for a few minutes. After a while, your bike should be charged, and you’re welcome to disconnect the cables in the same order you attached them.

Having trouble with your motorcycle’s battery or sensitive electrical systems? Feel free to visit one of our convenient locations near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Chicago, Illinois, and Detroit, Michigan! We proudly serve the areas of Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, and offer a number of high-quality service centers to help with all of your motorcycle maintenance needs!