why to pop-start in a slightly higher gear

[Adam in TX]

I've been working too much for the last six months or so, and as a result, haven't been riding too terribly much. So I pulled my bike out today for the first time in some time to ride to work... started up a little rough, but got me to the office without incident.

When I left to go home for lunch, the bike wouldn't crank, so I think to myself:

"self, it hasn't been that long since you pop-started a bike, just push it up the hill, and lets get a move-on"

to which my self replied "look self, I don't feel like pushing the bike up that hill and rolling back down, lets just put it in first, take a few steps, and crank the piss out of it"

"self, that sounds like a great idea, and way less work than the safe way"

So, me, myself, and I put the bike in first gear, jog about ten feet, hop on, pop the clutch, push the button, and twist the throttle... *hard.

The bike fires up and immediately pops a ridiculous wheely... my right foot slides off the peg, and I transition into pucker factor fifty as I rocket across my parking lot with not enough limbs attached properly to the bike and no reasonably hope of regaining my composure.

Luckily, as I black out in a fit of anxiety and hopelessness, something rights the world (pretty sure it was the rev limiter), the front end comes down, and I'm able to regain control.

Remember boys and girls, if you must pop-start your monster, do it in 2nd gear... or at least take it easy on the right hand. Things can get scary pretty quick.

[causeofkaos]

bwaahahahahahahahahaaaa
that was awesome glad no incident, but i peed in my pants a little from laughing so hard

[mstevens]

Could you please add "Do not read while sipping a delicious beverage" as a warning at the top of the post? My sinuses would have thanked you.

Glad you came in for a landing.

[drew.bradshaw]

 

[kumabull]

Awesome ! Cheers man that made my night, full recovery.

[somegirl]

Why oh why did you not have a camera handy?

Glad you managed to keep it upright.

[Duck-Stew]

Glad you're ok...but I really just clicked in here because I thought the title read something about Pop-Tarts.  Sorry. 

[ducrider45]

Well done. 

[derby]

no matter what gear you start in, don't do this:

So, me, myself, and I put the bike in first gear, jog about ten feet, hop on, pop the clutch, push the button, and twist the throttle... *hard.

[corey]

"pucker factor 50"

rofl. i will be using this in daily conversation from this point on in my life.

[swampduc]

Classic, just classic 
Thanks, I needed that laugh.

[T. Rush]

perfect! thanks.

[ArguZ]

loool....great save !! 
Would love to see that movie in color

[mitt]

Would love to see that movie in color

God must have been laughing at that one 

mitt

[BumbleB]

I've been working too much for the last six months or so, and as a result, haven't been riding too terribly much. So I pulled my bike out today for the first time in some time to ride to work... started up a little rough, but got me to the office without incident.

When I left to go home for lunch, the bike wouldn't crank, so I think to myself:

"self, it hasn't been that long since you pop-started a bike, just push it up the hill, and lets get a move-on"

to which my self replied "look self, I don't feel like pushing the bike up that hill and rolling back down, lets just put it in first, take a few steps, and crank the piss out of it"

"self, that sounds like a great idea, and way less work than the safe way"

So, me, myself, and I put the bike in first gear, jog about ten feet, hop on, pop the clutch, push the button, and twist the throttle... *hard.

The bike fires up and immediately pops a ridiculous wheely... my right foot slides off the peg, and I transition into pucker factor fifty as I rocket across my parking lot with not enough limbs attached properly to the bike and no reasonably hope of regaining my composure.

Luckily, as I black out in a fit of anxiety and hopelessness, something rights the world (pretty sure it was the rev limiter), the front end comes down, and I'm able to regain control.

Remember boys and girls, if you must pop-start your monster, do it in 2nd gear... or at least take it easy on the right hand. Things can get scary pretty quick.

Great tip! Thanks for the post, glad everything worked out ok...