Start dirt bike with clutch instead of neutral?

[sam351]

Can I start a dirt bike with the clutch in instead of neutral? If so, will it harm anything?

[Bluntman1]

Ok i'll chance this is a serious question.

Yes you can and no it won't.

[todthebod]

You can. Mine is always harder to start with the clutch in. I guess I have a little bit of drag.

[reconranger]

The common wisdom is to start in neutral if you can, because there is less drag from the clutch pack. Nothing "wrong" with just pulling the clutch in, however.

[toohip]

Most 4 strokes are harder to start with the clutch in, but it won't hurt your bike.

[cbrewer450]

I do it all the time. However, the 450 is much easier to start in neutral.

[jbrandt]

All are correct, it won't harm anything. The reason it's a little harder to start is because there will always be a little bit of clutch drag, but not enough to notice when you're sitting on it.. That's why if you're sitting there click it to neutral. To test this, put your bike on the stand click 1st gear and pull the clutch, the rear tire will likely turn.

[rafartist]

Mine starts with the "happy button" (crfx) in gear!! Thank god cause I never met anyone that could get my 450 to start in gear and that was a biotch in a race.

[csawatsky]

on the other hand, my lifan motored ct70 doesn't turn the crank when the clutch is pulled in

my xr400 starts fine (although a bit of drag as mentioned) with clutch in gear

[theuberacer]

Sure, it won't hurt a thing. My 450 is really tough to start in gear though, and quite easy to start in neutral. My KX250 starts OK in gear, but it definitely starts easier in neutral also.

[LeftKick]

+1 on the won't crank the motor with clutch in. 1974 Bultaco.

[realitycheckit]

Might depend on the clutch you have, too. Hinson actually brags their clutch is 2lbs heavier with most of that wt on the outside spinning 'slower' helping the bike handle better. Yea, it's also harder to get that extra wt spinning to start the bike, too!.

[Danomite2]

If you have a 4 stroke 450 and it will start in gear, please tell me which brand you have because my Honda will not start in gear 90% of the time.

[theuberacer]

If you have a 4 stroke 450 and it will start in gear, please tell me which brand you have because my Honda will not start in gear 90% of the time.

mine will start, just takes 5-6 kicks usually... where as in neutral usually no more than 2.