How To "Bump-Start" A BMW R1200RT Motorcycle
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 พ.ค. 2021
- If you've ever been stuck due to a failing battery or starter, you might have been tempted to try and "bump-start" or "push-start" your bike. This can actually be done with a modern, computer-controlled, fuel-injected bike. However, with the high-compression engine and big 'ole pistons found in the RT, there are some important things to understand in order to be successful. I did some road testing to figure out how bump-starting can best be done on this motorcycle.
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Terrific video, thanks for sharing your knowledge. My R1200RT is the first bike fuel injected bike I have owned and have often thought about how I would go about starting the engine if I had an almost flat battery. Well thanks to you I now know the answer, the important point being don't totally exhaust the battery attempting a start since the battery must have sufficient charge to run the fuel pump for a bump start. 👍
Great videos. thanks! I have been able to start my 1150 RT and 1200RT in 1st or 2nd with a true "bump" start. What you do is once the bike is rolling you actually lift your rear off the seat, stand up and when you release the clutch you drop quickly to the seat, this plants the rear wheel and actually "bumps" the bike into life. if you just sit there the rear wheel will drag. You have to really drop your weight quickly at the same time as the clutch catches. it may take a little practice, but I think this practice when things are working will pay off on the day when you really might need it.
Interesting technique! I think I'd better eat some more donuts and see if that helps too!
Dropping your weight onto the seat, and thereby increasing the friction of the rear wheel onto the road surface was standard practice when I was motorcycling 45+ years ago. Timing is critical, if the spring is rebounding at the moment the tyre is trying to "bite" then you've decreased the friction and the wheel will slide more easily.
Thanks for this tip! I took my Dads RT out of the garage today and the battery was completey dead. I thought Id throw up a video and give bunp starting a try, after seeing that its apprently impossible to do it in first gear and that you need 15mph to get her going, i gave it a shot in first on a slight incline infront of the garage and I was able to do it by standing and landing on the seat when I let go of the clutch on my first try. That was the first time I ever bump started a bike, so Im kinda proud of myself. Just wanted to confirm its definitely possible in 1st gear!
thanks for this, ive not had to bump my 1200's over the years but its come close! Thanks for the research, very helpful to know.
thank you. you are a good person for sharing this
Great video
Thank you
Thank you
I have bump started my 02 R1150RT many times from a running start down a slight incline at ~10mph with no problem. My 2011 is definitely more difficult as stated here.
I had a battery issue on my 2018 R1200gs yesterday, I live on a long steep hill, so I thought it would be no problem, I regularly start some of my vintage bikes in cold weather that way. However a combination of the high compression and gearing made it that every time I released the clutch, even doing it carefully, the rear wheel locked, even as high as 6th gear, road construction putting a new water main in my road made it impossible to get a decent run. So I gave up and walked home for my jumper pack. While I think it would have worked with more speed in a high gear, I didn't really want to be locking the rear at speed. I'm going to try it again for future reference to develop a technique and minimum speed to achieve starting, but for now my jumper pack is going to be with my tool kit and tire pump/repair kit, after all unless I'm on a steep hill when my battery gives out then I'm done for.
Yeah. sometimes circumstances are not in your favor. It's worth a shot if you are stuck, though.
@@tinderboxarts I'm just glad I realized the limitations for a bump start, before one became necessary out on the road somewhere. Just got back from a 1200 mile ride and found my self once in awhile when I parked my machine realizing there would be no chance of bump starting it from there if the battery was dead, so I felt good about having a brand new battery and my little jump start pack in the cases. The other problem with all the electronics on these new machines is that when the voltage gets low they start closing down various circuits which prevent you starting the bike, to presumably protect other electrical components.
I recommend to jump from your seat and release the clutch when landing back on it. This will increase slightly your rear tire traction and help a lot ;) Cheera all and safe ride !
Hi John. Did you try third gear at all?
A mate of mine used to bump start his Laverda Jota by running along beside it. A scary sight as the bike was nearly as tall as he was. The excercise kept him fit!
Since it started in second, I didn't bother trying third. It couldn't hurt to try, though. I have also thought about pushing the bike myself if need be, but I would be afraid of dropping it for sure.
Hi I have a problem with my 2001 r1200rt. It wont start. the green neutral light comes on but there is no orange triangle engine warning light on the upper part of the display. There is no power going to the start button. There are a few clicks when I turn the key in the ignition but thats it. Any ideas would be great. Ii had it on a diagnostic and no faults were found. thanks
Did you mean to type 2010? The R1200RT began in 2005, so I know it isn't 2001! Anyway, it may be that your battery voltage is just too low. Troubleshooting will start there at the battery and radiate outward. See this video and try the three tests with a meter:
th-cam.com/video/d-5xA31nBd8/w-d-xo.html
I have tried bump starting mine when the battery was flat in 1st 2nd 3rd and 4th gear. I found it impossible. Got a jump from a guy in a pick up truck and it fired straight up.
Yeah, you really have to be cooking along to bump start an RT!
Pro tip be in the standing position and right when you let the clutch out slam your ass down on the seat real hard because once you get that engine to turn over one little bit it's all over but the crying so remember drop your body weight down on that seat real hard right when you let the clutch out
A few months ago,, I went to fill with petrol,, my battery was dicky but you know I thought one last trip... Well after filling she would not cooperate.. So I tried to bump it.. oK I,m 65,,and 168Ilbs not a weakly,but no longer Mr Universe) there was a slope first try I attempted and the bike just stopped,,had to push back to the top,,second go waited too long ,still not enough speed,,back to the top Last go I tried a GP start (run along side and try and bump it,,,)) no the weight of the bike was far too much for me,,, Had to call my bro for a jump... Sure it can be done if you have a hill or maybe a mountain,,otherwise forget it.....
Question, how many spark plugs on a 2008 R1200rt?
Four plugs--two per cylinder.
Same had a dead battery long story short I was sliding down the road ppl honking tire locked up sliding lol will try second
This stuff never happens without an audience, right?
3rd or 4th gear might make it easier to start by eliminating the rear tire skid
Yeah, it may help--it really depends on a combination of factors, including rider weight, road surface, tire pressure, tires, and more. And, the speed at which the engine turns over is part of the equation as well.
The chance of being on a sufficient hill when you need a bumpstart is virtually nil. The fact that 15mph is the critical speed for a heavy bike tells me that there is virtually no chance of getting a push to that speed from passers-by who you ask help from (Google how fast can a human run).
The solution surely is to try in a higher gear. When a tender youth I often bump-started my bikes, but would always choose top gear because that makes it easiest; as soon as she fires you pull the clutch in again, so you're not going to takeoff. The taller the gear the less engine inertia is seen at the rear wheel, and thus clutchslip is less likely.
Another point...
If your battery is totally dead, but the alternator is still OK, then (which I've never tested in practice on an RT), turning over the engine will turn over the alternator and thus not only generate power for the fuel pump but also fire the spark plugs - I suspect you would need a longer duration bumping - which may only be possible on a longer downhill run, and thus of no realworld practical use. In my university days I lived halfway up a long steep hill and could bumpstart my lighter weight carburetted bike in the morning downhill, and get an army of willing students to bumpstart me in the evening to return home - I just had to take care never to let the revs drop too low, so the alternator kept chucking out enough juice for headlight/brakelight and spark (no fuel pump).
I agree--the need for the 15 MPH or thereabouts is severely limiting. I didn't have helpers to try another experiment with pushing. If you have one or more people pushing it's plausible that a lower speed will still work because the helpers can continue to push through the act of releasing the clutch. In other words, the additional energy past the point of clutch release might be enough to turn the engine over even at a lower speed. I'd like to try it sometime.
As far as the gear selection, there is one drawback as you get into using the higher gears. You have to be extra cautious about the timing of releasing the clutch then immediately pulling it back in the moment the engine fires. Otherwise, you'll find yourself at a low speed and RPM in a higher gear, which will simply stall the engine you just managed to re-start! As for the charging system, you may be thinking about the older systems. The RT has what is literally an automotive alternator, and they need something over 2000 RPM sustained to generate anything useful.
The chances of having a steep enough hill or enough "friends" nearby, AND having enough juice to run the computer and fuel pump are pretty slim... But I have found that using a higher gear, when this has to be attempted, is better. I have had the best luck with 3rd, but I've had even better luck by just carrying a lithium jump start pack. I've hardly ever had to use it on my own motos (fingers crossed!) but I've used it to help others many times, and it's much much more fun than pushing their bikes!
Have you tried a higher gear?
I have tried multiple gears, but you saw on the video which one actually worked. It's a balance between the traction of the tire, and the force needed to turn over the engine. It is possible that different speeds or inclines, as well as the weight of the rider, could influence which gear works best. I don't weigh much, for example, so maybe a heavier rider would have less issue with tire traction. In any case, the RT isn't the easiest bike to bump start!
ha ha.. that's easy going down a hill.. I only was watching this to see you do it on the level.. I used to start old British 750s this way.. wanted to see you do the BMW on the level.. and you didn't... 😞
The RT is too heavy for me to push fast enough on the level and get a bump start. However, if you had somebody push the the bike while you sit on it, I do think it would be possible. It's all a matter of speed, weight, and tire traction. There was a time when I was young when I had to park my Chevy pickup on a grade so I could get it bump started!
@@tinderboxarts yes, I have an RS.. would love to see the person who can bump start a R1100 on the flat..😅
Third or even fourth gear would have less compression and turn over acceptably at lower speed. DAMHIK
It's always going to be a balance among circumstances. Perhaps a higher gear will be easier in some instances, but remember that the traction of the ground you are on will be a big factor, as well as the grade of the hill or the speed of the push.