Keep manual in bike

[debelm2]

Just bought my bike a while back and kept the manual at home to read when I could. Not a good idea when your out riding and have a problem and need it! Went to work. Turned key to park instead of off position. (Did I mention I am brain dead at times). Worked for 3 1/2 hours then went to leave and bike is dead!! No battery life at all. Had not read the part in the manual about how to remove the seat. Took off bolt in back of seat but couldn't get it off. Had to borrow a car to go home and get manual (which was a big help - take out bolt remove seat Had to do a search on this forum. Found just what I needed This site is awesome! Finally got it jumped and running. It was rough but I had to go for along ride to charge the battery back up So lesson learned - Keep manual in bike so you have it when you need it but read up on basics you need to know ASAP. It's easier that way!! OH also make sure you turn key to front not back of bike when shutting it off!!

[tnhunter]

Where would you keep the manual? Under the seat? LOL

[CTRider]

Originally Posted by tnhunter

Where would you keep the manual? Under the seat? LOL

Nah, keep it attached to the helmet lock. Now how the heck does that thing work...?!

Originally Posted by debelm2

to borrow a car to go home and get manual (which was a big help - take out bolt remove seat Had to do a search on this forum. Found just what I needed This site is awesome!

It sounds to me like the manual still isn't worthy of riding with you. Just stay close to Internet connections and the folks here will hook you up.

[luvda6R]

Good advice...I was thinking about that the other day. Now I just need to find room on my bike to put the thing....

[tnhunter]

By the way, cant you just push start it and forget the reading? I really hate to read and follow instructions. How do you know the guy that wrote them was right?

[debelm2]

Even though some might not understand the need to have a manual to get the seat off, I'd just like to say that I didn't know how the seat attached and considering it's a new bike did not want to force anything. I came on line and found out that you need to push the seat back to release it from a clip. Sorry if having a little difficulty with this seemed foolish to some.

[rwrighter]

Originally Posted by debelm2

Even though some might not understand the need to have a manual to get the seat off, I'd just like to say that I didn't know how the seat attached and considering it's a new bike did not want to force anything. I came on line and found out that you need to push the seat back to release it from a clip. Sorry if having a little difficulty with this seemed foolish to some.

I don't think you were foolish at all! Thats what the manual is for. IMHO, part of reason for this forum is to help each other out with any problems we might have. Since you had never had the seat off, you were using common sense looking for info on the proper way to remove it. DON'T hesitate asking any other questions..the people that think you're being foolish might just need help with a problem some day too.

[jukief]

Originally Posted by tnhunter

Where would you keep the manual? Under the seat? LOL

Hahahahahaha

[tnhunter]

Did someone think he was being foolish? It is new, I never want to force something on a new machine. I think the best solution is to ask someone like you did. I never get it from the manual. Most of them sound like they are written for someone that already knows how to do the job. Like your "first take the seat off". Ok, how?

[jukief]

Yes, of course, Nick, you're right. It's never foolish to ask questions. I know I've asked some I thought were pretty dumb, but people here were really nice about answering them. That's the best thing about this forum. We can ask questions without feeling foolish.

And you're right about the manuals... sometimes they help, sometimes they don't. Especially when you have a new bike, it's hard to figure out where things are. I know it was for me. It's not a bad idea to keep it somewhere on the bike if you can. I hadn't thought of that.

[lemosley01]

LOL!

I JUST did this samething today myself. Put it into park instead of lock and killed the battery. Just got home 30 minutes ago, although I keep my manual under the seat.

Must be 'Kawasaki battery death' day.

[rwrighter]

Originally Posted by tnhunter

Where would you keep the manual? Under the seat? LOL

My manual is in the pocket behind the right side cover.

[tnhunter]

Originally Posted by jukief

Yes, of course, Nick, you're right. It's never foolish to ask questions. I know I've asked some I thought were pretty dumb, but people here were really nice about answering them. That's the best thing about this forum. We can ask questions without feeling foolish.

I had a drill seargant that used to say "there is no such thing as a dumb question, just dumb people that ask questions" Dont really know what he meant by that.

[Vantage_TeS]

Step one: key to run, gas on
Step two: clutch in, 2nd gear
Step three: push bike
Step four: clutch out

Taadaa!

Edit: or if you are really good, have someone ELSE push the bike for you

[Tbakko]

Originally Posted by debelm2

Even though some might not understand the need to have a manual to get the seat off, I'd just like to say that I didn't know how the seat attached and considering it's a new bike did not want to force anything. I came on line and found out that you need to push the seat back to release it from a clip. Sorry if having a little difficulty with this seemed foolish to some.

Not foolish at all, this is the best way to learn about your bike. I am sure that none of the people on the forum meant to belittle you at all, we just like to have fun. These are great people (and Aliens) and they have a wealth of knowledge to share with you.

[Constrictor]

Originally Posted by Vantage_TeS

Step one: key to run, gas on
Step two: clutch in, 2nd gear
Step three: push bike
Step four: clutch out

Taadaa!

Edit: or if you are really good, have someone ELSE push the bike for you

Although I'll admit I've never tried it on my bike, but Im pretty sure if you have a FI bike and have a completely dead battery, you wont be able push start the bike. With no power, the fuel pump cannot come up and prime the fuel injectors. No fuel pressure, no fuel, no start.

[tnhunter]

My bike isnt fuel injected and it has a pump. But I know what you are saying. Someone try this and see what happens. I know my carbed bike will push start. Too bad they got rid of the kick start. Can you imagine kicking one of these beasts?

[Constrictor]

Originally Posted by tnhunter

My bike isnt fuel injected and it has a pump. But I know what you are saying. Someone try this and see what happens. I know my carbed bike will push start. Too bad they got rid of the kick start. Can you imagine kicking one of these beasts?

A kick start is a terrible idea on street bikes. I have heard my fair share of stories of kick starts grabbing at the wrong time, and kicking back and breaking, or severely injuring the leg of the driver. I even had a friend with a 1980 KZ1000 where something in the kick start broke and locked up his rear tire while on the highway.

Carbed bikes should have no problem being push started, but any FI bike that requires electricity to even send fuel to the cylinders probably wont work.

[tnhunter]

I had kick starts for years. My 750 four had kick start and so did my 500 h3. They were also electric start and have seen some of them fail. As far as the push start, you stator has to produce enough power to provide power to the coil to produce a spark on any motor. So pushing it should create enough power for onboard injector to operate. It is a very low voltage, low power system.