How to Jumpstart a Harley Davidson Street Glide: Essential Tips for a Smooth Start

Ever found yourself stranded with a dead battery on your Harley Davidson Street Glide? It’s a frustrating situation that can happen to anyone. Whether you’ve left the lights on or just had a long ride, knowing how to jumpstart your bike can save the day.

Key Takeaways

• Know Your Bike: Familiarize yourself with the key features of the Harley Davidson Street Glide, including its powerful engine, comfortable seating, and advanced infotainment system.
• Identify Common Battery Issues: Be aware of battery drains caused by prolonged inactivity, corroded connections, old batteries, faulty charging systems, and leaving lights or accessories on.
• Safety First: Always wear protective gear and ensure you are in a well-ventilated area when jumpstarting your bike to prevent accidents.
• Use Quality Equipment: Utilize high-quality jumper cables and tools, such as a multimeter, to ensure proper functionality and safety during the jumpstarting process.
• Follow Step-By-Step Instructions: Adhere to the outlined steps for connecting jumper cables and restarting your Street Glide to maximize the chances of a successful jumpstart.
• Regular Maintenance: Check your battery health and implement preventive measures, like cleaning terminals and using a battery maintainer, to extend battery life and avoid future issues.

Understanding The Harley Davidson Street Glide

The Harley Davidson Street Glide is a popular touring motorcycle known for its comfort, style, and performance. Understanding its key features and common battery issues can help you maintain your ride and avoid unexpected breakdowns.

Key Features of The Street Glide

• Comfortable Seating: The Street Glide includes a plush seat designed for long rides, providing excellent support for both you and your passenger.
• Advanced Infotainment System: A high-quality audio system with Bluetooth connectivity enhances your riding experience, allowing hands-free communication and music playback.
• Smooth Suspension: The motorcycle features a responsive suspension system that absorbs bumps, ensuring a smooth ride on various terrains.
• Iconic Design: The sleek design and aggressive lines make the Street Glide a standout, capturing attention wherever you go.
• Powerful Engine: Equipped with a Milwaukee-Eight engine, the Street Glide delivers strong acceleration and a smooth power delivery, making it ideal for highway cruising.

• Extended Inactivity: Leaving your motorcycle unused for long periods often leads to battery drain. Regular rides help keep the battery charged.
• Corroded Connections: Check for corrosion on battery terminals. Corroded connections can impede electrical flow and lead to starting issues.
• Old Battery: Most motorcycle batteries last about 3-5 years. If your battery is older, consider replacing it to avoid starting problems.
• Faulty Charging System: A malfunctioning alternator can prevent the battery from charging while riding. Inspect the charging system if you encounter frequent battery issues.
• Lights and Accessories: Leaving lights or accessories on while the bike is off drains the battery. Always turn off unused electronics to conserve power.

Preparing To Jumpstart

Jumpstarting your Harley Davidson Street Glide requires careful preparation to ensure safety and efficiency. Follow these steps to get started.

Safety Precautions

1. Wear Protective Gear: Always wear gloves and safety glasses to protect yourself from battery acid and sparks.
2. Check Surroundings: Ensure you’re in a well-ventilated area, away from open flames or sparks. Batteries can release flammable gases.
3. Inspect Cables: Look for frayed or damaged jumper cables. Using faulty cables can lead to accidents or system failures.
4. Turn Off Accessories: Disable all electrical accessories on the bike, including lights and the infotainment system, to prevent surges during jumpstarting.

1. Jumper Cables: Use high-quality jumper cables, at least 4-gauge, to provide efficient conductivity.
2. Helper Vehicle: Have a vehicle with a working battery ready, preferably one of similar voltage (12 volts) for optimal compatibility.
3. Wrench: Keep a wrench handy to loosen or tighten battery terminal connections if necessary.
4. Multimeter: A multimeter helps check battery voltage before and after jumpstarting, ensuring proper function.

By following these preparations, you can safely jumpstart your Harley Davidson Street Glide and be back on the road in no time.

Step-By-Step Guide To Jumpstart

Follow these steps to jumpstart your Harley Davidson Street Glide safely and effectively.

Connecting Jumper Cables

1. Position Vehicles: Park the helper vehicle close to your Street Glide, ensuring both engines are off.
2. Open Hoods: Raise the hoods of both vehicles for easy access.
3. Identify Terminals: Locate the positive (+) and negative (-) battery terminals on both bikes.
4. Attach Positive Cable: Connect one end of the red jumper cable to the positive terminal of the dead battery.
5. Connect Helper Vehicle: Attach the other end of the red cable to the positive terminal of the helper vehicle.
6. Attach Negative Cable: Connect one end of the black jumper cable to the negative terminal of the helper vehicle.
7. Connect To Chassis: Instead of connecting to the dead battery’s negative terminal, connect the other end of the black cable to a grounded metal point on your Street Glide’s frame. This reduces the risk of sparks.

1. Start Helper Vehicle: Turn on the engine of the helper vehicle and let it run for a minute.
2. Attempt To Start Your Bike: Now try starting your Street Glide. Listen for engine noises—if it starts, great!
3. Rev The Engine: If your bike starts, rev the helper bike’s engine slightly to boost the charge.
4. Let It Run: Allow your Street Glide to run for several minutes. This charges the battery.
5. Remove Cables: Carefully remove the jumper cables in the reverse order of connection—start by removing the black cable from your bike, then the helper vehicle, followed by the red cable from the helper vehicle, and finally the red cable from your bike.
6. Check Performance: If your bike fails to start, wait a minute and try again. If it still doesn’t start, consider battery replacement or further inspection.

After The Jumpstart

After jumpstarting your Harley Davidson Street Glide, check the battery’s health and take preventive measures to avoid future issues.

Checking Battery Health

Check the battery’s condition after the jumpstart. Look for signs of corrosion on the terminals. Clean any corrosion using a mixture of baking soda and water. Inspect the battery case for cracks or leaks, indicating potential battery failure. Test the battery voltage with a multimeter. A healthy battery should read between 12.6V and 12.8V when fully charged. If the voltage drops below 12.4V, consider charging the battery or replacing it. Regularly check the battery health to ensure optimal performance.

Preventive Measures

Implement preventive measures to prolong battery life. Maintain clean battery terminals to avoid corrosion buildup. Make sure all electronics turn off when you’re not using the bike to prevent drain. Store your Street Glide in a climate-controlled environment to avoid extreme temperatures that harm batteries. Use a smart battery maintainer when not riding for extended periods. Regularly inspect wiring and electrical connections for wear and damage. Following these steps helps ensure reliable starts and promotes longevity for your bike’s battery.

Conclusion

Jumpstarting your Harley Davidson Street Glide doesn’t have to be a daunting task. With the right approach and a bit of knowledge you can get back on the road in no time. Remember to always prioritize safety and keep your bike’s battery in good condition to avoid future issues.

A little maintenance goes a long way in ensuring your rides are smooth and enjoyable. So gear up and take those extra steps to keep your Street Glide running strong. Happy riding!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key features of the Harley Davidson Street Glide?

The Harley Davidson Street Glide is renowned for its comfort, style, and performance. Key features include a smooth riding experience, advanced infotainment system, and a powerful engine, making it an excellent choice for long rides and daily commutes.

How can I prevent battery issues with my Street Glide?

To prevent battery issues, regularly inspect your battery terminals for corrosion, maintain clean connections, and use a smart battery maintainer while the bike is not in use. Performing routine voltage tests can also help identify potential problems early.

What should I do if my Street Glide’s battery is dead?

If your Street Glide’s battery is dead, you can safely jumpstart it by wearing protective gear, confirming your surroundings are safe, and using high-quality jumper cables. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to avoid damage.

How can I check the health of my Street Glide’s battery?

Check your Street Glide’s battery health by looking for signs of corrosion on the terminals, testing the voltage with a multimeter, and observing any starting issues. Regular maintenance will help extend battery life.

What post-jumpstart procedures should I follow?

After jumpstarting your Street Glide, check for battery corrosion, test the voltage, and clean any debris from battery terminals. It’s also wise to keep the battery connected to a smart maintainer to prevent future issues.