It’s a totally fluid coupling, and since there’s no clutch plate to wear down, it doesn’t pose a real risk. Most automatic transmissions have a W (Winter) mode that starts off in second gear to help prevent the tires from spinning on slick pavement. So, for most drivers, starting in second gear is really no issue.

You can, but it will use up your clutch faster if you do. Many motorcycles have a fairly tall first gear, especially those with only five forward speeds and sport bikes. Using the clutch to start from second gear makes you slip the clutch.

“Pushing a bike to start it is potentially unsafe because it can topple over, injure the rider if they trip over or become a traffic hazard,” he says. “Also, if a bike doesn’t start after pushing then the rider has the additional problem of trying to get it back to where they started from.

Having one or two friends handy is helpful, but not required. Having an incline is also helpful, but not required. I’ve pop-started small bikes by myself without a hill, but I’d say most of the time you want either help or a hill, and it’s great if you have both.

If you want to push start your motorcycle like a pro, always use 2nd gear or 3rd gear. Do not use 1st gear when push starting your bike, especially if your bike is equipped with a high-compression engine, as the gear ratios are not suited and you run the risk of locking up your rear tires.

3. Press and hold the ignition switch. Note: If your motorcycle is carbureted, you may need to adjust the choke and give it extra gas when starting. Note: Some motorcycles require you to pull in the clutch when starting, even when in neutral.

Its fine to pop it, wont do any damage.

Motorcycles have a microswitch on the clutch lever to help prevent the bike from moving when started in gear. You really shouldn’t start your motorcycle without actually sitting on it, with the side stand retracted, in neutral and with the clutch lever pulled in.

A carbureted motorcycle needs to be left to warm up—with the enricher knob pulled out—for at least 30 to 90 seconds and then for an additional 120 seconds with the choke halfway. A carbureted motorcycle is considered properly warmed up when the rocker boxers are very warm to the touch.

This is exactly the same as using the starter motor, except you’re using the momentum of the bike instead of the battery. With the clutch out and the engine turning over give it a little throttle and when you hear the engine start (not just turn over) pull the clutch back it and rev the bike up a little to keep it running.

You can, but it will use up your clutch faster if you do. Many motorcycles have a fairly tall first gear, especially those with only five forward speeds and sport bikes. Using the clutch to start from second gear makes you slip the clutch.

You’ll need get the bike in a position to roll, this will depend on your surroundings and if anyone else is with you. The easiest method is to push your bike up a small hill and let gravity get you rolling back down. If there are no hills, find a nice flat area and round up a mate to push you.

For motorcycle riders, push-starting is a useful skill to have under your belt when you have a dead battery or an engine that won’t turn over. See Step 1 below to start learning how to bring your dead bike back to life!