I did read about jumping a battery, but...

[BigGuy66]

...didn't find specific help... Here's the scoop. I went to storage to get bike - no tender on battery, no electricity there - and turned key. All lights etc. came on. Tried to start and it wouldn't turn over. Assumed battery is too low to start bike. Tried portable charger/jump starter and same thing. Before I go buy a new battery, I want to jump it with my car. Get it home from storage so I can work on it in garage. Question - will it likely start by jumping from car? I read in a post that car should NOT be running. Yes or no? In your experience, once a battery drains low enough that it won't start bike is it time for a new battery? I bought bike used and I don't know age of battery. I'm trying to avoid swapping out battery in the storage unit - no heat, no lights, little room. Would rather work at home. All new to me... only had bike since August. 2010 RT SM5

[DunaJ]

This happened to me. My battery was 2-3yrs old. Started Trike, rode 20 miles or so. Stopped at gas Station, filled it up. Went to start it, and NOTHING
Tried to jump it with a car (running and not) still would not turn over. Got it towed to the house. Replaced battery, and all was okay. Battery was too weak to take a charge.

[cognaccruiser]

Pretty sure if you use a car that it should NOT be running. Maybe it doesn't matter but I would be very cautious about using a running car or truck.

Gary

[Bfromla]

Some one else had similar questions here:
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...rily!-Thoughts

[BigGuy66]

Some one else had similar questions here:
http://www.spyderlovers.com/forums/s...rily!-Thoughts

...some of my questions. I sure appreciate the good help here. I got used to very helpful folks when I had my VTX and I was on the VTX forum. Bailed me out a bunch. Well... same thing here! Thanks!
Jim

[billybovine]

First just to clarify. You say it will not crank. If you mean by that. When you press the start the button nothing happens. You can't blame the battery yet. That is kill switch, foot on brake, etc. If you mean the when you press the start button the gauge cluster goes blank and reboots. That is a low charge in the battery or bad battery.

Go ahead and hook up booster cables or a rechargeable booster pack. That should work just fine if the battery is low on charge or near the end of it's life.

[Bob Denman]

If you decide to jump it from your car: leave the car engine off...

[Chupaca]

The above explains the engine off. Billie bovine explained the possible start issues (many have forgotten a step or two when not having rydes for a spell) but I have killed my battery (kids play with the lights and leave them on) several times. Charged it and all is fine battery is 4 years old...test it...

[BigGuy66]

I took the van over to the storage bay and hooked the cables up to the bike with the van off. Waited for a couple of minutes. Tried to start it. Turned over -barely- a couple of times- lights and cluster went dark and it clicked once. So, I started the van and waited a few minutes. Turned bike on, started turning over, coughed a couple of times, and started up. Guess it needed more juice than I thought. Ran like a champ all the way home - couple of miles. It's now home and ready for my projects - oil change, new battery, maybe a sway bar, bump skid, air wings... oh shoot! I'm retired living on limited income. I can swing the oil change and new battery right now..those are a must. All others in due time. Thanks again for all the great advice.
Jim

[Bob Denman]

on getting it fired up, and back home!

[Stanmrvan]

This happened to me today on my 2010 RT. Exactly like this, gas station etc.
The gauge cluster when blank... no reboot, just dead.
Tried to jump from my car, was able to get the cluster to light up, however not enough to turn over.

Went and got my jumper pack and was able to start it right up. Had to do it a second time and then was able to get the rest of the way home.
Question is: Battery or alternator (magneto)?

[CopperSpyder]

This happened to me today on my 2010 RT. Exactly like this, gas station etc.
The gauge cluster when blank... no reboot, just dead.
Tried to jump from my car, was able to get the cluster to light up, however not enough to turn over.

Went and got my jumper pack and was able to start it right up. Had to do it a second time and then was able to get the rest of the way home.
Question is: Battery or alternator (magneto)?

Battery!!

[pegasus1300]

And on the pre 2013s be sure to check the terminal connections. They do tend to loosen over time and star washers are a good idea, especially if you think your battery is good.

[Revalden]

I have a NOCO jump starter that I keep in the frunk. Only used it once when my previous battery crapped out. I think that everyone should keep one in their frunk.