Scariest Day of my LIFE! Neutral is now 1st??

3163 Views 16 Replies 14 Participants Last post by Tchase, Mar 19, 2022

tendy30

Discussion Starter · Jun 21, 2010

I was standing beside my bike (obviously kick stand side) ready to turn my key on. I waited for all the lights and warnings to come, etc. Everything normal, green light for neutral was on. So I am good to go right? Think again. I lean over over to hit the electric starter with my thumb and the bike leaps forward. Completely caught off guard the bike drags the stand back and I lost my footing. Only thing I could think of was to throw my body under the bike. Call me stupid but I did it and no damager, just scraped suit and helmet.

Is this a regular occurance because I was/am still pissed.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

captain douchebag

· #2 · Jun 21, 2010

Extremely common with these bikes do a search and you will find about a dozen threads just like yours.

Get in the habit of starting the bike with both clutch and brake applied and after engine is started ease them off.

There are even a few cases where the bike was idling in neutral for several minutes and popped into first. Makes a good case for never running the engine unless your but is in the seat.

Cpt DB

69duc

· #3 · Jun 21, 2010

Boy am I glad i read this. Usually pretty careful but not always. I will be now. Is this common on a certain model or year?

captain douchebag

· #4 · Jun 21, 2010

http://www.ducatispot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19323&highlight=false+nuetral

http://www.ducatispot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11728&highlight=false+nuetral

http://www.ducatispot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7044&highlight=false+nuetral

just a few

Cpt DB

violation

· #5 · Jun 21, 2010

FUCK! same thing happened to me except i parked next to a cement column in the garage at work and my nose fairing + left side mirror + fairing stay took some damage. i was able to wedge myself between the column and the rest of the bike to prevent furhter damage. threw down my helmet though.

I assumed I was in first when I hit the electric start but now you guys are making me second guess myself. Either way, I best start grabbing clutch from now on!

sgs182

· #6 · Jun 22, 2010

captain douchebag said:
Extremely common with these bikes do a search and you will find about a dozen threads just like yours.

Get in the habit of starting the bike with both clutch and brake applied and after engine is started ease them off.

There are even a few cases where the bike was idling in neutral for several minutes and popped into first. Makes a good case for never running the engine unless your but is in the seat.

Cpt DB

+1 on the clutch and brake. Don't always trust that $1 green bulb is what my MSF instructor said

69duc

· #7 · Jun 22, 2010

captain douchebag said:
http://www.ducatispot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19323&highlight=false+nuetral

http://www.ducatispot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11728&highlight=false+nuetral

http://www.ducatispot.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7044&highlight=false+nuetral

just a few

Cpt DB

thanks

hogfan83

· #8 · Jun 22, 2010

sgs182 said:
+1 on the clutch and brake. Don't always trust that $1 green bulb is what my MSF instructor said

+1

even if im not on the bike i will hold the cluch and brake while i start it and slowly release. i realise that wont work if it pops into gear after a few minutes.

tendy30

Discussion Starter · #9 · Jun 22, 2010

Thanks guy's. Lesson learned and sorry to hear about the unfortunate damage to others bike's. I was a damn lucky one.

Virtualbong

· #10 · Jun 22, 2010

Definitely something you gotta make a habit of.

FrEaK_aCcIdEnT

· #11 · Jun 23, 2010

the clutch + brake while starting goes for all brands and models of bikes.

I have seen this issue on many bikes.

Rustic Charm

· #12 · Jun 23, 2010

Yep. There's a vid of Casey Stoner test riding the new (at the time) 696. He pulls in both clutch and front brake while starting.

I never like to start the bike without me on it at the time though.

Ducgroupie

· #13 · Jun 23, 2010

happened to me the first ride after taking it home stopped at the gas station and after filling up started it without holding clutch, broke the clutch lever and bent the shifter. Learned my lesson to always sit on it and hold the brake and clutch and slowly let the clutch out while holding the brake.

[email protected]

· #14 · Jun 23, 2010

I've never had it happen on my Duc. Might be because I always pull in clutch and brake. Learned that lesson on a Yamaha Seca 550. Don't trust neutral light.

Reactions: 1

tgchris16

· #15 · Jan 13, 2022

tendy30 said:
I was standing beside my bike (obviously kick stand side) ready to turn my key on. I waited for all the lights and warnings to come, etc. Everything normal, green light for neutral was on. So I am good to go right? Think again. I lean over over to hit the electric starter with my thumb and the bike leaps forward. Completely caught off guard the bike drags the stand back and I lost my footing. Only thing I could think of was to throw my body under the bike. Call me stupid but I did it and no damager, just scraped suit and helmet.

Is this a regular occurance because I was/am still pissed.

Out of habit !! I always pull in the clutch when I start a bike. Both hands on bars. Too many dirt bike rides !!

pahhhoul

· #16 · Mar 18, 2022

captain douchebag said:
...Get in the habit of starting the bike with both clutch and brake applied and after engine is started ease them off.
Cpt DB

Going to start forming this habit when I start my bike. Thanks for this one.

Tchase

· #17 · Mar 19, 2022

Wow old thread bought my first Duc 2012 848, built my track bike from spare parts 848, still have both and I’ve never had this happen and I only pull the clutch /brake if I’m sitting on the bike.
Since these bike really need to warm up most all of my cold starts are in neutral with me off the bike NOT pulling the clutch/brake. <shrugs>

Reactions: 1

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.