Jump started Motorcycle battery with Car... Help..?

Question

Hello, a neighbor tried to jump start my Ninja motorcycle battery with his car because the battery was weak. I definitely learned that, that was not the right thing to do...

I purchased a new battery and got it fully charged.. I just put it in the bike but plan on leaving it in overnight before i try to start it. I live in apartments and it's too close to a open window to try and start this late. I did notice that now the lights come on (they didnt before)..

At the dealer, they said it could cause the whole electrical system to go out by doing that (will never do it again!!), but if the lights and alarm signal light now turn on, on the bike... Does this mean it didn't damage the whole electrical system? I wont know until the morning if i could start the bike =/ Thank you for any info.

Answer 1

Theoretically, you should be able to jump a semi truck from a motorcycle, and vic verse, providing the voltage is the same.  Damage comes from connecting the cables backward, or shorting the battery terminals.  Damage may also occur to the rectifier/generator/alternator if the motor is running when you try to start the "dead" vehicle - always jump battery-to-battery ONLY.

The motorcycle battery is only 7Ah, where as a car battery is in the neighborhood of 85Ah+.  You could. . . overheat the motorcycle starter if you crank for too long. . .  be careful.

Get a meter (VOM).  Have it standing by when you go out to the bike.  With the ignition off, measure the battery. . . it should read about 12.2-12.5VDC.  If it's less than 10VDC, there is something wrong in the electrical system.  Does the bike have a kick start?  I would start the bike manually first.  Once it has run for a while, and there is not some other problem, test the voltge at the battery from a 'fast idle' - it should be 13.8-14.3 VDC.  If it is, shut it off, then try a restart with the electric starter. . .  Take note of how it turns over - is it struggling or turning over slow - If it starts you may be good to go.  If not, further troubleshooting by a professional is required.

       Good Luck. . .

Answer 2

never had a problem with this,  I do it every spring

on my wing.   and have done it with all the bikes

i have owned.

Answer 3

ive done that to my kids quad with no damage to either...just make sure that the car you r jumping from allows you to jump otherwise you could harm the cars electrical system

Answer 4

Jump starting a motorcycle with an automobile battery will cause no damage (as long as the car is not running).

A motorcycle's electrical system will only draw enough amperage as it needs.

A car battery does not force amperage into the motorcycle.

Even if the opposite were the case, the motorcycle's 30 amp main fuse would blow before any damage would occur.

If you want to start you bike in the middle of the night and keep the noise level down - hold a heavy rag at the end of the muffler, to muffle the noise.

Try it in the day time to hear the difference.