A YouTube video that ACTUALLY helped me!

[Monster Dave]

So this morning it was very a crisp 40 degrees outside when I got ready to ride to my Monster to work. Unfortunatly my battery was just about dead and wouldn't start my bike. So I wasn't sure what to do, until I remembered a YouTube video that I had seen some time ago showing how to pushstart a Ducati Monster. Well, to my suprise it worked and I was able to still got to work on time!

I know that this may not be "new" news to lots of readers, but for those who haven't had to deal with this scenario before, this may help you out of a jam at some point as it did me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p0dyRurVVyY

[Speeddog]

Added tips:

Usually, 'skateboarding' it like that while sitting on it won't get you enough speed to do it.
Pushing it from the side, and then hopping on while it's rolling helps a bunch.

Also, if you can time your clutch release with when you drop down onto the seat, it's much less likely to just skid the back tire.

Be ready to *immediately* pull in the clutch when it starts, otherwise you can end up in trouble.....

And don't crunch the jewels on the tank when you drop on. 

[causeofkaos]

I dont know if its covered in the video (cant youtube at work)
The very few instances i have had to do this ( mostly dirtbikes 2 stroke and 4 stroke or enduros )
second gear instead of first starts a lot easier just my half cent.

[MTBryan]

Yes, 2nd gear is best. It prevents back wheel spin. Or drag.

Bump it baby!

[DY]

I've "bump" started many a car with dead batteries by using this method. 

To make it easier, find a slight incline, and just push the bike downhill while in neutral then pop the clutch when you pick up speed.  I used this method  once when the clutch lever on one of my bikes broke off.  But when you need to stop, make sure you find neutral or you'll be in for a bumpy stop. 

[Monster Dave]

Yes, 2nd gear is best. It prevents back wheel spin. Or drag.

Bump it baby!

I agree - but I still had some minor wheel lock in 2nd on the first few (failed) attempts.

[Greg]

I recently helped a friend push start a 996 and I can tell you it just would not work in 1st gear as the wheel would just lock even with him timing his drop onto the seat with clutch release. 2nd gear worked right way 

[swampduc]

Thanks for posting that, Dave. I once helped a friend push start an early Virago 1100, but that was years ago. It was definitely a 2 man job 

[DucLeone]

just asking
does it work on FI ? or carbed only?

[Speeddog]

just asking
does it work on FI ? or carbed only?

As far as FI bikes go, as long as the battery has enough mojo left to run the fuel pump and ECU, it'll work.

Definitely help in that situation to have a headlight switch...

[myssrhl]

The method I used on my HD XR750, as it was push only, was,,,

Put it in second gear and pull the bike backwards until you hit engine compression.
     this gives a little free spin so you don't just "hit a wall" when you drop the clutch

They run like hell,next to the bike,jump on ,, drop your butt on the seat and the clutch at the same time.

I never was good at the side saddle bump start, I just knew I would crash...

[be350ka]

Inline Performance Mag and an L-twin.  Funny.

[Monster Dave]

just asking
does it work on FI ? or carbed only?

That's a really great question - one that I hadn't thought about - my Monster is fuel injected and it fired right up.

+1 for the comments about doing it in second gear - that's right on.

Thanks for posting that, Dave. I once helped a friend push start an early Virago 1100, but that was years ago. It was definitely a 2 man job 

I hope that it helps - personally, although it was a huge help to me, I found it amusing that a youtube video served as a real life and applicable learning resource. 

[OwnyTony]

For me, even in 2nd, i cant get enough speed by myself to get it to start.  Have done it in 1st but that was after a bit of riding and the engine was already warm.  Cold engine, and in 2nd, the rear tire skids.  I guess it is the gearing on my s2r (though it is stock) but even with my bro pushing from behind and getting some speed, it will still skid in 2nd.  3rd worked better for me.  Only drawback is that each spin of the rear wheel pumps the pistons less. 

[Monster Dave]

For me, even in 2nd, i cant get enough speed by myself to get it to start.  Have done it in 1st but that was after a bit of riding and the engine was already warm.  Cold engine, and in 2nd, the rear tire skids.  I guess it is the gearing on my s2r (though it is stock) but even with my bro pushing from behind and getting some speed, it will still skid in 2nd.  3rd worked better for me.  Only drawback is that each spin of the rear wheel pumps the pistons less. 

In general it sort of goes without saying that you need to be on a downhill slope rather than a flat surface. I have a similar problem with my Monster on flat surfaces (not to mention it is hard to get up any speed without moderate help), but as long as I've got about 15feet or so of downward slope, it turns over every time and can be done solo - even when my bike is stone cold it fires up. I would imagine that 2nd gear is the sweet spot though - since 1st is too short of gearing and 3rd ups the gearing too much to the point that you'd need more distance to get up more speed in order to get your bike to fire up.