How to Unlock and Start a Harley Davidson Softail Motorcycle
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 ก.พ. 2025
- I have had 2 people recently ask me about this so I thought I would make a how to video on starting a modern HD Motorcycle. It's a pretty simple process but I suppose if you have never done it, it could be confusing. Enjoy the video. Thanks and please share, like, comment and browse my channel. Please subscribe :)
#startaharley
#harleydavidson
#harleyignition
I inherited a '04 Harley Davidson FXSTDI from my father, and unfortunately he never had the chance to teach me how to ride. This video helped me a lot man, It'll be an honor to take care of my father's bike as long as I live!
Best video I have found. I'm a widow and needing to crank my husbands bike, which is very intimidating since this was his toy not mine. Thank You!!!
You are very welcome.
I’m glad I found this also as I’m widowed recently and he had two. Very intimidating for a non-rider! God bless
I admit I had no clue how to open the key switch. Bought the bike at auction. Thanks for the info. Now I can ride.
i been trying to start my harley road king for a long time but when i saw this i finally found out how to start my harley this was very helpful
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL Glad to help
And I thought Americans didn't do sarcasm .
Just bought an 08 super glide for my first bike and it gets delivered tomorrow with the same start configuration. This really helped figure out exactly how everything works so I don't look like an idiot upon arrival lol perfect video
Thanks mate much appreciated, since my father passed away I've been a bit intimidated by inheriting his 2015 soft tail standard due to the weight & capacity of the bike cause the biggest cc bike I've ridden is my ktm 525, last of the carburetor bikes made but my dad's bike is intimidating to me & I wanna look after his pride & joy in memory of him so thanks for the video mate much appreciated from Australia
My father gave me his 1982 Harley and I had no idea how to start it! I've only driven an 1982 Honda Silverwing and a 2013 Yamaha VStar 250. It took me 5 minutes before I even found where the key went. The words are worn off the buttons so Run/Stop and Start are all just a plain black button. THANK YOU!
Just got a 2009 Fat Bob, haven’t rode it yet but this was very helpful
Awesome video! I'm glad I looked it up although I felt kinda silly typing in how to start motorcycle. Lol. I've always had sportsters and I'm buying my first soft tail tomorrow so I'm definitely glad I at least know how to fire the thing up. Thanks!
Awesome!
Lol same just got a road king felt goofy looking this up too
I'm glad I'm not the only one that didn't know this. I'm getting my Fat Boy today and I had no idea how to start it.
I'm getting a road king later this month, so yeah, goofy is, as goofy does 😜
rs
Great video,thanks for the help I'm starting a bike for someone not familiar with the Harleys.
Only people who would want to know this are folks who don't even own Harleys and thieves. Good job.
I didn't know what the ignition key is for, and I own 2 Harleys.
That was a great video. Thank you. I have felt intimidated about even the idea of riding. My husband rides and I want to start riding.
thank you. i inherited a harley and want to get to riding it after my riding course.
Did you start riding it yet?? 🤔
My dad passed a couple days ago and left me a 2007 soft tail deuce and came here and am glad I did.
Grt vid man ty..I Just bought a used fat boy.And I forgot to ask the guy how to start it..😁
Haha, nice. Thanks man!
@@joeysixtysix welco man!
Good video for a stock Harley the only problem being Harleys that have had problems and the owner's modified my starter switch just went out and so now the switch is elsewhere next I'll be moving the ignition and removing everything from the handlebars except throttle brake and clutch
Thanks man.! I got me a Softail on the way...!
Nice!!!
Thank you 🙏 I wanted to start my husband’s Harley, he recently passed 😢 and I can’t even think about getting rid of his motorcycle, too many beautiful memories with it. I want to try to run in from time to time until my head and heart feel comfortable to make a decision 🙏
@@23Pocha I'm sorry for your loss. Hang on to those beautiful memories.
Thanks for the vid, my friend has a Harley and he’s going to give me a ride, I didn’t want to look like a total knob when I go to start it.
great video. I am looking at a 2003 Dyna. coming from sport bikes so itll be my 1st HOG
Thank you a lot!! Tomorrow i will go to check and so much probably buy my first harley a softail custom 2007 and i really thank you for have made this video
Glad I could help!
Hi can I turn off the bike with the ignition switched back off or have to be turned off with the stop button near the start
thanks brother,s in arms now i know sportster nice bike rob brilliant video
Awesomeeeeeee bikkkkeeeeee !!! Thanks for the video! What's the "accessories" section on the switch is for? :)
Thank you. As they say everything is easy if you know how to do it.
My friend passed and left me his 2007 springer and I followed your directions and the alarm went off. I got nervous and somehow with the ignition turned it off and it stopped. How do I avoid the alarm because I couldn’t get it started. Thanks
Did you custom build the back end?
Could not get a friends bike to start. Everything turned on with the ignition. Question. Does the key have to be taken out and cover closed? The red key light never turned off. Suggestions. Thanks
Key out cover closed and on some bikes you might need to pull the clutch lever in to start.
In German driving schools, we are instructed to turn off the engine via ignition. Kill switch should only be used in emergencies according to them. What is Accessories for?
Thank you, first time owner!
HI, I just purchased a 2007 Harley-Davidson FLSTN Softail Deluxe. I was looking at motorcycles and a certain price range but the one I was looking sold so I went to the local Harley shop and took this one for a test drive, sold bought and paid for, YA!! But it's been years since I've ridden and you answered some questions very well. I learned to ride on a 1970S 175cc (bored out to 2119) and rode through the orchards, a lot of fun. Now at 51 I bought my first Harley, very cool. But I'm a little out of my element here. It's a 6 speed with power. I would like some of your wisdom on driving shifting, I'm sure I can do it fine, but if you could please. Give some instructions on shifting in town as compared to on the open road. Example 1st 2nd 3rd 25mph 35mph 45mph in town stoplights etc. I believe 6th is like an overdrive on the open road. Thanks for explanations and videos. God bless
Thats a good vid man! Thanks!
Can we turn off the light bro? I have a similar bike to this but i cant turn off lights
SERIOUSLY YOU MADE A VIDEO ON HOW TO START A BIKE OMG
Great video sir!
Harleys rule!
This is Exactly what i needed!! Thanks!!
You are welcome.
Thanks for this simple but great video 🙂
beautiful bike
bad ass gonna get one really soon
YOU SOLVED MY PROBLEM REAL QUICK. RUN SWITCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANKS
I have a query, sir how to check fuel level in Harley Davidson fat boy 2010???
How do you start it with no keyfob cuz somebody ripped me off for my keys😊
Excellent explanation I'm happy to subscribe. thumbs up.👍👍
Thanks!
very good vidéo ! thanks
What is the best way to free up a 2005 Softail fart lock ignition lock
Does that key work for any Harley or just yours?
I'm ashamed to be human sometimes .
Thanks for video. It could be better by explained keybob function, what it does, what it doesnt do, and how to start the Harley if the keybob is lost. Might be good topic for your next video.
Thanks brother picking up my dyna happy holidays
Hell yeah man, happy new year!
i have a dash mounted choke knob on my 89 softail and can find absolutely nothing on TH-cam about it. very frustrating 😕
That is a nice bike, where did you get the air cleaner?
I recently sold my injected Fat Boy and bought a ‘98 springer. I wanted to go somewhat “old school”, but I miss the convenience of thumbing the starter and having it fire sharply. I also miss being able to be lazy... being able to whack the throttle and not have the bike cough, sputter and complain.
Great video!! Thank U for sharing~
I got my dads 93 Dyna Harley after he passed away. Unfortunately I wasn't given a key for it.
Am I screwed now? Is it possible to get another key made by a locksmith or would I have to find a way to switch both key sections out?
Any info would be GREATLY appreciated!!!
If you have the title Harley will make one for like 30 bucks. If no key go on eBay and buy a new ignition switch with keys. Pretty simple to change
Very easy when you know. Thank You
What’s that bottom button do? The one with the arrow pointing to the right? Thank you for helping me cuz I just got me a 2013 Softy Dee. My very first time. 😊😊😊🥰🥰🥰. C’mon Springtime.
Are you talking about the one near the throttle? Those are your turn signals.....
did you forget to show how to choke it or turn the gas petcock on lol Thanks good video.
Fuel injection.
Thank you 😊💓
I have a quick question for you how long does it take to charge a battery on my motorcycle I haven't started it all winter and discovered I had a dead battery I have the charger on it now it's been on for 2 days how long does it take to charge it I might have to jump it can someone let me know please if I'm sitting here waiting for a green light and I'm wasting my time thank you in advance
Where is the choke? I can’t find it on my 04. It was my grandpas
I can’t believe that A. Someone asked you to do a video of starting a Harley Davidson. And B. You actually did one. What ever next, how to start a car maybe?!
67, 542 views so............
Joeysixtysix I know the numbers show the reality of this question. I just couldn’t believe it’s such a popular question. Is it so difficult to understand how to do such a simple automatic thing, for want of a better word. It’s part of the understanding of riding a motorbike. The fundamental of ownership. If you have a motorbike do you really need a refresher course in starting it, if so, sell it, you don’t deserve it, start walking. Not even going to start on cars!!
Very thorough.
Make a video of how to ride a Harley.
Is the human race currently descending into utter helplessness ? This can't be a serious question .
Just bought a used 2003 Softail classic heritage from a private party.
Question: What would cause the neutral indicator light to not light up while the bike is in neutral?
Bad wiring.
Check the bulb of the indicator light. Switch it with a bulb that's working. If it doesn't light up, check the switch on the transmission. I always use a checkbulb in a wire. In this case: the neutral switch activates ground (-) so put the one end of the wire on the battery +, hold the other end on the switch. If in neutral the checkbulb doesn't light up, it's the switch. If it does and your indicator bulb was okay, the problem is in the wiring. If you are not familiar with repairing wiring, then go to a dealer.
Choke? Fuel switch?
i have heard of compression buttons on the heads that have to be pushed in before starting, is that right?
I'm only familiar with Shovels, Evos and Twin Cams. They don't have decompression valves. These you find only in big inch high compression aftermarket motors from e.g. S&S.
After switching the ignition on is there remote to switch it off
Great instructions
No fuel petcock on that model?
Nope. I should have done a different video with an older bike.
No gasoline or neutral?
Do any of the new softails (2014) have a choke?
Nope... all HDs got fuel injection in 2007. So no choke after that. The first fuel injection that was available was in 1995 as an option. I had a 2003 Fatboy (FLSTFI) with injection as an option (the “I” in the FLSTFI). So between 1995 and 2007 it’s a mixed bag of what is out there
No .
Thank you sir.
I put the big charger on is charging now I still can't get it started but I have no headlamps I have running lights and brake lights back lights in front fender light but no headlamps and no turn signals can somebody please help me
Poor lighting, but thanks helps me with my 1st harley.
older models you will have to turn the fuel on and the choke
what happens when you turn ignition switch to accessories ....??? whats the purpose ...
It's leaves the lights on, the digital odometer,gas gauge and any other accessories you might have. I suppose if you just wanted to see how much fuel you had or read the mileage without actually starting the bike.
Sick bike
Thanks!!
How many times are you going to mention that it’s locked?
Awesome Thanks
Thank you
What if it jolt forward
Make sure it's in neutral N
K
Thanks
excellent...thanks
With an older bike, it’s only slightly more steps. With a carbureted bike you need to make sure the fuel petcock is turned on and you need to apply (pull) the choke/enricher knob. Sometimes whacking the throttle on a carbureted bike before hitting the starter helps (if the carb has an accelerator pump). Also know that the process is different with a warm (or worse yet a slightly warm) bike with a carburetor. With a warm carbureted bike, I usually use no choke, but hold the throttle 1/4 open when starting. But each old bike is different... your results may vary.
Yes, I was wishing I still had one of my older bikes to do a video like this but then I remembered that every one of those has it's own tricks you have to figure out to get em going.lol. Great comments!
I'm just learning guys first time I've ever worked on my own bike if someone's got an answer please help me out thank you in advance
No choke???
My boyfriend just passed away july 25 he never showed me how to turn the bike onn 😢😢
Sorry to hear that. I hope this helps.
I'm sorry hun. 😢♥️
You didn’t show the choke or turning on the petcock
forgot the positioning of the fuel switch
Make a video on how to unlock forks but dont show how to lock forks. I can spend 5-6 minutes on trying to lock them and it wont do it. You know people have a hard time locking the forks. Unlocking them is no problem. Smh
COULD YOU TEACH ME HOW TO GO pi pi
You should have mentioned the fuel shutoff valve!
Motor has bad valves
How can you tell?
i feel dumber after watching this
I don't think that would be possible.
Not even helpful 😪
i have heard of compression buttons on the heads that have to be pushed in before starting, is that right?
On some models they have compression releases and it starts easier if you push them in