very short ride!

[Barnoe]

So admittedly ive not been out on the bike for a while, been working long hours and at weekend either been away or doing DIY

Just been away for a week and while away saw a few bikers out enjoying the weather... all i could think all week, was when i get home im taking billy bike out for a long ride!!

So, i get up this morning, rush around to get stuff done to free up my afternoon.
Im thinking, ill get out around noon and get back around 8-9pm

So i get on computer, update sat nav, load up maps create a nice round trip taking in a couple of bike stops (Rivington Hall Barn and Cat n Fiddle) load it to sat nav.

Unlock bike, clip on sat nav, start her up...engine running out of garage, down side of house and drive onto street.....
Crap need to lock up... wifes out.
turn bike off, lock side gate and front door.... back to bike
wont start!!! WTF
battery dead.... pushed it around cant start it, sweating like a bastard and pissed off.... also a tad embarrassed at the people walking past.

push bike back in garage on charge
____________________
You know you are old when you're told to slow down by your doctor and not the police.

[stevo as b4]

Oh dear! The modern generation biker and insurmountable problems.

I only used to look at route planners or maps for places and areas I'd never ridden to before. The thought of a sat nav instructed Intinary turns me off so much I'd rather cut the lawn and next doors lawn instead.

As for bump starting a bike, it's definitely easier in shorts, T-shirt and no helmet on a hot day. And there's a technique that once you do it right makes it easy. Its a bit harder on a high compression twin like a Ducati 998SP but still doable.

I wonder what the old school ride to work, didnt own a car lads back in the day would have made of this?

[Enduro Numpty]

Life can be a bitch.

[Barnoe]

[stevo as b4]

I'd accept that to the Honda VTR owner a live updated real time view of fuel stations probably is the best modification they could make to their bike, and would solve alot of stress, sweating and the familiar stood by the side of the road routine with a dead bike.

And don't listen to me, as I have to admit that modern technology can be great and I can see how it makes people's lives easier, better and more convenient for both business and leisure. Its just I refuse to get on board kicking and screaming like a kid whos lost his sweets.

I guess for the family dad or mum that has 2.64hours of free leisure time between parenting, transport duties and cooking, and family ties then a sat nav with a defined route of interest that can be achieved in the free time slot is a huge bonus.
As a very big childish kid the thought of allocated me time leaves me cold.

[mentalboy]

[Andy_Pagin]

Push start it like a 1950s racing god.
____________________
They're coming to take me away, ho-ho, hee-hee, ha-haaa, hey-hey,
the men in white coats are coming to take me away.
Yamaha Vity -> YBR125 -> FZS600 Fazer -> FZ1-S Fazer

[grr666]

I've had non-rides like that. I always get the bike out in my normal clothes then get changed into my kit once all
the pushing and shoving is done. So I'll get the bike out on a sketchy day after finally succumbing to needing to get
the bike out for a blat. Then I'll go upstairs and put my kit on. But there have been times where I've come downstairs
again in head to toe leather and boots, take one look at the sky, then put bike away and get changed back into normal
clothes again and sack it. I don't know what it is about the Spacker, I sometimes call it the Stormbringer. As for getting
dormant vehicles running, I keep a fully charged van battery handy and have some mini jump leads for starting dead bikes
plus bigger leads for vans and cars as needed. 750cca will start most things tbh.
____________________
Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[Jmoan]

[inline4]

[MCN]

It's not a simple push to start a modern bike.
Fuel injection and massive coils need powah. A battery under power cannot supply the juice. Jump start is the way to do it. i.e. from a spare battery or another vehicle.
Have bike should have jumper cables too.
____________________
Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[P.]

[grr666]

Bumped the Spacker too. Weakened the OEM battery through lack of use probably but it let me down while I was out
with the wife on pillion. Shoved the damn thing to the top of a nearby slope in full kit and 25c then coasts down sat
on it, that did it. Pushing it up that hill nearly did for me though, couldn't stop until I got to the top or I would have lost
momentum and started rolling back down. I don't wish to repeat the experience. I also then bought some bike specific
jump cables so I can use my spare van battery to start my in the shed if they are a bit flat. My full size jump leads are way
too meaty for bike batteries. I was using a metre length of 10mm T&E with the ends stripped, but it was too much of a faff.
____________________
Currently enjoying products from Ford, Mazda and Yamaha
Ste wrote: Avatars are fine, it's signatures that need turning off.

[MCN]

[Jmoan]

It's interesting some bikes can do it.

In addition to MCNs comments, other problems might arise from any of the electrics not starting up or the fuel injection system not priming properly.

How easily can the battery be partially charged from pushing a bike in gear with other parts drawing power from it like daytime running lights?