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Forward with no throttle?

by Michelle
(Brampton, Ontario, Canada)

Ok, so I bought my first bike and I was going to take it for my second ride (the first was home from the store). Anyway I started it up and all of a sudden the bike lurched forward fast. I didn't even have my hand on the throttle. I was startled and ended up dumping the bike (and learning I can pick it up fairly easily).

I never had that happen in the bike class I took and I don't understand how it could go forward like that without me using the throttle.

Maybe this is a stupid question but could someone please explain why this happened so I can make sure not to do it again?

Comments for
Forward with no throttle?

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May 26, 2011
 In gear but not always a bad thing.
by: Ashley-Sydney, Australia

Def sounds like she was in gear or perhaps you accidentally clicked her into gear (easily done). Just make sure you have the clutch in when you start.

As for some comments made about leaving your bike in neutral, this certainly is an option and can make things easier. However, first gear is the motorbike's equivalent of a hand brake and I would recommend you always leave your bike in gear when you park it. Just get into the habit of pulling the clutch in before you start or, if you have to warm it up, shifting it to neutral just before starting.
May 23, 2011
 In Gear
by: spyder

Most bikes will start regardless if they are in neutral or not...The clutch just has to be in....With most bikes tho if the kickstand is down it will not start unless in neutral. So if you were in gear with kickstand up and clutch in and started bike and then let loose of clutch it would jump forward being that it is in gear.
May 23, 2011
 Remember this...
by: Linda

In bike class they should've told you to use '[FINE-C]' as a checklist for starting up a motorcycle. And maybe they did but you just forgot. No biggie. Here's the procedure you should follow...[FINE-C] stands for [F]uel valve, [I]gnition, [N]eutral, [E]ngine on/cut off switch, [C]lutch and [C]hoke (choke is optional because fuel injected bikes don't have a choke). When starting the bike you go in this order: check if the [F]uel valve is turned on, turn the [I]gnition on, make sure you are in [N]eutral (by rolling your bike back and forth slightly with the clutch and front brake released. If the bike rolls it's in neutral, if you feel resistance it's in gear... so you'll put it in neutral), put the [E]ngine switch in the on/run position, and squeeze the [C]lutch as an extra precaution against starting in gear. Now you can safely start your bike without jumping it away from you. And another tip: My husband taught me not to rely on the green light for [N]eutral too much, it might not light up when it's broken without you knowing it. Hope this helps. Be safe on your journeys and have fun!
May 22, 2011
 Bike Still in Gear
by: sassy2731

Yep that's what it sounds like to me too. You should try to always remember to put your bike in neutral before you turn the ignition off. Then before you turn it back on just check to make sure your neutral light is on. Just make it a habit with this and you should be fine. I have had people to move my bike for me and didn't put it back in neutral for me and this same thing happened to me so it it always good practice to just double check before cranking your bike. It has happened to all of us., so don't beat yourself up about it. It all part of learning to ride.
May 22, 2011
 In gear?
by: Anonymous

Sounds like your bike was in gear and you didn't have the clutch in. Try it again and see what happens.
May 22, 2011
 Neutral
by: kp

Make sure the bike is in neutral before you hit the start button. Most bikes can't start if they're not in neutral though.

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