First start of the day I'm standing beside the bike with it in neutral and the clutch lever out, clutch engaged. I turn the ignition on and start the bike. Then I put on my riding gear while the bike warms up. Subsequent starts of the day, I mount the bike with my riding gear on, shift to neutral with clutch lever out and start the bike, let it idle for 30 seconds if it's been sitting for a while and off I go.

 

Always anymore. Years ago I started a bike in neutral (green light was on) bike ran about 2 sec jumped into gear by self and bounced off truck. So now I always start in neutral and hold clutch in for a few sec.

 

Habit for me to pull clutch in. Just to make sure it's in Neutral. Just a little security incase it's in gear when started.

 

Besides safety, my mechanic told me it causes the oil to be distributed between the clutch plates when they engage which reduces wear.

 

I always start it with the clutch pulled in. Habit from my sport bike days. None of my suzukis would start if the clutch wasn't pulled in. Didn't matter if it was in neutral.

 

Me too, just a long time habit as indicator lights are not always right .....

 

Been there, done that...
Fortunately I had front brake applied and was scarey stupid all in one moment.
Is there a good reason for it... not sure, but eventually we will all develop a good routine for starting and stopping our steeds.
Rob

 

New to riding and just purchased a 2013 EGUL. Always start it in gear with clutch pulled in. Is this wrong...am I damaging something by doing this?

Have a hell of a time getting it into neutral with my foot, either wants to go between gears no in between to neutral.

 

Shut it off then gently tap it into neutral....easy peasy.

 

When parked, always leave the bike in gear. Keeps the rif-raf from rolling it off the kick stand when they oh so rudely lean on it, or when parked on an incline. Pull the clutch in to start.