Hello,

Last weekend my battery died and as I was not at home the bike could not be jump started. So I had no option but a rolling start. On my past bikes, I would do that in 2nd or 3rd gear. However, on the VN-750, I was unable to move the gear lever to 2nd. It would ONLY go to 1st. Needless to say it took me a long time to get enough speed to get it started.

At my next stop I shut off the bike when it was in 2nd, and was able to roll start it without any issues in 2nd.

I have since changed the battery. But have tried moving the gear lever to 2nd while the engine is off, but it will not move.

Is this a feature of this bike or is it something I need to get looked at?

Thank you for your assistance.

Coolscene.

Is this a feature of this bike or is it something I need to get looked at?

Thank you for your assistance.

Coolscene.

That's the positive neutral finder feature. Makes it easy to find neutral when you come to a stop, but, as you noticed, makes it tough to bump start.
You need to be moving above, I believe, 8 mph or so to get the bike to shift to 2nd or higher.

Hyperbuzzin already explained the neutral find feature. As a matter of practicality if you think about it, you should always roll start in the lowest gear. For your wheel speed in 1st gear gives you the highest engine speed. The faster the engine speed the better chance you have of starting it. It just makes sense.

Thanks much guys :)

some of my dirt bikes would not catch in gear in 1st or 2nd due to high compression and low bike/rider weight. the rear tire would skid. im not sure if the vn would do the same cause i never tried it.

I have had to "roll start" my vn750 in the past and I had the same problem, however to get into second gear all I had to do was let the bike roll fwd a little bit and it was then able to go into second. If i wanted to go into third I would have to let it roll a little bit more. I am not sure if this as something with my bike, or if it will work with all bikes. About the bike skidding in first gear.... I did have that problem. Our bikes are very difficult to start by rolling from first.

I have had to "roll start" my vn750 in the past and I had the same problem, however to get into second gear all I had to do was let the bike roll fwd a little bit and it was then able to go into second. If i wanted to go into third I would have to let it roll a little bit more. I am not sure if this as something with my bike, or if it will work with all bikes. About the bike skidding in first gear.... I did have that problem. Our bikes are very difficult to start by rolling from first.


Same here, I just start off and kick it into second then before popping the clutch

Even with my fat ass (250-270 lbs) the bike skids in first. Get er going then pop her in second...

Yep, been there done that several times B4 I installed a MF batt. Lucky for me my driveway goes down hill and reaching 2nd before dropping the clutch was no problem. Beast started right up even in winter without the drain of the starter on the system.

DT

The starter may not be putting a drain on the electrical system but have you thought of what you're doing to the clutch. How easy is it to replace the clutch when it wears down?

The starter may not be putting a drain on the electrical system but have you thought of what you're doing to the clutch. How easy is it to replace the clutch when it wears down?
Gem - As these clutches are "wet" they don't wear very much and last a LONG time. Dry clutches, like boxes have, wear down much faster. Although not the best practice or habit to get into, occasional jump/push starting shouldn't be a problem.