So the new ones don't start in gear?
Consider yourself lucky- you don't want to be the guy hitting the starter and trying to chase your bike across the parking lot.

 

When did they introduce this feature? I'm guessing 2007 with all the other additional electronics for the EFI....

 

Not sure, but I assume 07 as well. Seems like a good idea anyway. If mine didn't have that feature I would have crapped my pants a couple times starting it in gear.

And AKracing don't feel dumb, it happens to the best of us. Wont happen again I'm sure haha. Next time you will know what the problem is right away. Enjoy the bike!

 

My '08 will start in any gear.

 

+1 here!! Just today i Felt like an idiot! I went out for a 2 hour ride and when i got home and pulled the bike in the garage and before shut the bike off i let out on the clutch. Bike leaps forward and dies. All i could do was laugh. I'm just glad no one saw that .

 

Hmm so I guess it is just 09 models. So now everyone will say, "search for an 09 or up because of that sweet safety feature." Similar to looking at only 04 and up for rubber mount. It is a huge deal.

 

'07 Nightster won't start in gear unless the clutch lever is pulled in. Found out when I installed the suicide clutch. Now I gotta go trace the wires, then jumper them at a terminal block/strip somewhere. You run a suicide, you'll stall at a light sooner or later. Nicer to just push the foot clutch pedal in, hit the starter switch, and go, rather than have to find neutral with the jockey.

It ain't a "huge deal"; it's just another PITA. Sounds like another "heavy hand of the gooberment" deal.

 

Dont feel stupid... I did this VERY SAME THING! And yes I posted here asking for help too...

Yeah, it's a newer feature. With my '09 if it's in gear and you try and start it without pulling in the clutch it will do nothing...wont even jump.

 

Yeah, mine as with all bikes and cars will start in any gear....if ya have the clutch pulled/pushed.

 

Don't know about the rest of you guys but shouldn't it be second nature to clutch before starting regardless of what gear the bike is in? it is for me, even when I see the green light on I still clutch, I don't want to find out the hard way that my bike does start in gear with out clutch, knowing me I'll end up dropping it.