HOW TO DEAL WITH A DEAD BATTERY:

There is nothing more frustrating than to be out on your motorcycle and encounter a dead battery. 

You'll need to have four essential things with you to survive a situation like this in the hot summer sun: A hat, a water bottle, a pair of jumper cables, and a cell phone. 

If you can't get the bike started, you'll need to use the cell phone to summon help. The hat and water will be essential if you encounter a long wait. 

Here are some possibilities for dealing with a dead battery. You may want to print out these steps and include in a zip lock bag also containing your motorcycle jumper cables. 

Jump the Battery From Another Bike

Arrange the other bike so its good battery is close to the dead battery.

Attach one red clip of the jumper cables to the positive (+) terminal of the dead battery.

Attach the other red clip to the positive (+) terminal of the good battery.

Attach the black clip to the negative (-) terminal of the good battery.

Attach the other black clip to the frame of the bike with the dead battery or to the negative (-) terminal of the dead battery if a suitable frame location cannot be found.

Start the bike with the good battery and wait a minute.

Start the bike with the dead battery. As soon as it starts, remove the jumper cables in the reverse order that they were attached.

Jump the Battery from a Car or truck:

Use the same procedure as above except DO NOT START THE CAR. The excess current from the charging circuit of the car may destroy the bike's circuitry.

Push Start the Bike

Find a hill or a few friends.

Turn the ignition and gas on and make sure the KILL switch is in the run position.

Pull in the clutch and put the bike in second gear.

Ride the bike down the hill or have your friends push you.

When you reach a reasonable speed, release the clutch quickly. The bike should start. Apply some throttle and maintain control of the bike.

Repeat above procedure if necessary.

If all else fails - Call for Help

If you have a roadside assistance plan for your bike, use your cell phone to call for help. You may have to wait an hour or so before help arrives. Many plans will tow you to the nearest bike dealer for your make.

If you know a family member or friend with a bike trailer, call them to come get you.

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