My sisters boy friend is out of the country for work and his R1 needs to be picked up for service... I have been asked to start it to make sure it does start, never started a manual before and I can't get in touch with him to find out.

What do I do?

Put key in ignition. Check kill switch. Turn key in ignition. Make sure the green light is lit. If not press left gear lever down a few times and then up once until green light appears. Press Starter. I think.

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Some bikes need the clutch to be held in to start.

Will only start on the sidestand if in neutral, which is how it must have been left I guess.

Should be run at tickover for at least 5 mins otherwise you're just putting water into the exhaust system. Should roll it about, without engine on, to move the tyre position unless it's on paddock stands.

It may also need to have the side stand up ,due to switch on the stand .

If it's an early model before 2004, it may have a choke/throttle lifter. Initially don't grab a handful of throttle, see if it starts under the control of the choke as you don't want to flood it if the engine does not catch instantly.

Starr it up. Put into 1st, ride it like you stole it!!!

Only have an auto license so no riding for me... especially as I have no clue how to use the bloody gears

Funkycowie wrote:Only have an auto license so no riding for me... especially as I have no clue how to use the bloody gears

Yeah but it'll have a quickshifter fitted so just flick your left foot up and next gear engaged for you without the left lever...... suppose gets a bit trickier when you want to slow down though, but I'm sure you'll sort something out!

I'll come over and take it out, I specialize in de-coking laid -up vehicles.

Dave Weller wrote:I'll come over and take it out, I specialize in cocking-up perfectly good vehicles.

Just corrected your typo there Dave!