Harley-Davidson does not recommend jump-starting a motorcycle. However, there may be circumstances when it is necessary to do so. Therefore, we suggest jump-starting be performed as follows:
WARNING
Be sure jumper cables touch only appropriate battery terminals or ground. Allowing jumper cables to touch each other can result in sparks and a battery explosion, which could result in death or serious injury. (00072a)
WARNING
Explosive hydrogen gas, which escapes during charging, could cause death or serious injury. Charge battery in a well-ventilated area. Keep open flames, electrical sparks and smoking materials away from battery at all times. KEEP BATTERIES AWAY FROM CHILDREN. (00065a)
NOTICE
Be sure both vehicles have the same battery voltage when jump starting. Connecting vehicles with different system voltages can result in vehicle damage. (00220c)
NOTE
This procedure presumes the BOOSTER battery is in another vehicle.
  1. Turn off all unnecessary lamps and accessories.
Positive Cable
  1. See Figure 1. Connect one end of a jumper cable to the DISCHARGED battery positive (+) terminal (1).
  2. Connect the other end of the same cable to the BOOSTER battery positive (+) terminal (2).
Negative Cable
WARNING
Do not connect negative (-) cable to or near the discharged battery negative (-) terminal. Doing so could cause a spark and explosion, which could result in death or serious injury. (00073a)
1. Connect one end of a jumper cable to the BOOSTER battery negative (-) terminal (3).
NOTICE
Do not connect the negative (-) cable to painted or chrome parts. Doing so could result in discoloration at the attachment point. (00221a)
2. Connect other end of the same cable (4) to a safe ground, (away from the DISCHARGED battery).
3. Start motorcycle.
4. Disconnect cables in reverse order of steps 2, 3, 4, 5. That is: steps 5, 4, 3, 2.
1Discharged battery positive (+) terminal
2Booster battery positive (+) terminal
3Booster battery negative (-) terminal
4Ground
Figure 1. Jump Start Cable Connections