My '09 won't start in gear without pulling the clutch. I'm surprised it took Harley this long to figure it out.

 

Ever since I started riding as a kid I've always been in the habit of pulling in the clutch.

 

Three things:

(1) I always pull in the clutch when starting.
(2) I (almost) always sit on the bike before starting.
(3) Make sure it's in neutral.

Sometimes I forget number (3) and start the bike in gear. Even with the clutch pulled there is enough clutch drag on a cold bike that it may try to jump a bit. This is where sitting on the bike helps to control it -- with my weight it can't move much.

 

I wouldn't trust that. But that is probably just old me -- I remember when neutral lights couldn't always be trusted. I still don't trust them -- always let the clutch out slow if the engine is running.

 

Good point. Thanks.

 

With the 09 that I have, it will not start in any gear unless you pull in the clutch. So if the "neutral" light is on and for some strange reason you are in 1st or 2nd or any other gear, it will not start...period

 

Well, that's good. H-D is enforcing what I do naturally.

 

After reading all these stories, I don't feel like the lone idiot anymore. It happened to me at a dealership parking lot of all places, with about four thousand other bikers watching (well it seemed like it at the time). I forgot to put it in neutral when I parked. The bike just lurched forward a bit before I grabbed the brake. Scared the ***T out of me. It's hell on the biker pride but a valuable lesson learned. Now I pull in the clutch EVERYTIME.

 

i've never shut off my motor while the trans is in gear. always in neutral when i shut it off. therefore i've never had that problem.

 

Never! always check before hitting starter button.A habit developed when only choice was jump on kicker.