Quick fix if your bike won’t start in gear!!

[@davidcook7816]

I ride a 2020 FXST Softail Standard with ~15,000 miles on it when this started happening on my bike. I found the clutch switch and took my finger and just pushed it in and let it flick out it a few times. Didn't have to remove anything. It began starting in gear immediately after I did this. To add a little insurance, I sprayed a little DeOxit electrical contact cleaner and lubricant into the switch. It hasn't failed me since and it has been several thousand more miles. What I think happens is a little corrosion occurs in the contacts of the switch and it just needs a little extra persuasion to chip it off. Anyway that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Good luck with yours.

[@mikeallen3518]

My 2023 Street Bob started doing this a month ago. I thought it was the Key Fob battery so I switched it out for a new battery. Sometimes I start it in neutral anyway so at first it would not start with the new battery but I thought my persistence to get it started with the new battery must have "synchronized" the Fob again to the bike. I had actually toed it up to neutral without noticing I did it. Then I noticed after a few days the Fob was still not working and only starting in neutral so I then googled the problem and read about the clutch safety switch. I'm not going thru the trouble of replacing the switch, I'll just start in neutral. But thanks for the video, good info. I've been riding for 51 years now. I have this Street Bob over here in South Korea just to get me to work and back but have two bikes back home in the states as well, one a 2012 Street Glide that has never had this problem, and the other a 2004 Big Dog custom.

[@BeTheBossOfYourMotorcycle]

This is an excellent video! Thanks for sharing it. Just a couple of days ago, I had a guy that has this issue and his bike is pretty new. I’ll definitely pass this video onto him. 👍🏾

[@switchingearsgarage648]

Thanks Robert, it a common issue at times.

[@rwes2940]

Thanks. Mine started that this last weekend. Now I know what to check.

[@michaelcerreto8645]

I had this problem but found the switch to be fine. I had adjusted the clutch cable to be too tight at the lever and it was not fully compressing the switch button. I adjusted to the advised "nickel" width and it works fine now. Thanks for the info!

[@switchingearsgarage648]

Thanks for sharing

[@tomb.8485]

This video is for hydraulic clutches.

[@kynrek]

My wife was dealing with the exact same issue for over a year told the same thing that it was a "safety feature". Took it to another dealership and they said the switch was not being engaged, they shimmed it up and now it starts in gear.

[@jayhawk7043]

The Harley place in Topeka told me that today.

[@Texasmayne89]

My 2019 street bob started doing this not too long ago. Thank you for this video!!

[@d.mar.2624]

Thanks for posting. This is exactly what's going on with my 17 Ultra Limited. The dealership also told me that's it's a "safety feature" that makes it not start in gear with the clutch in and refused to work on it under warranty. It was a load of BS because when it was brand new, I remembered it would start in gear on all my previous Harleys (Sportster, Vrod, Road Glide). What made me look to this video was my search for how to replace the clutch sensor. I believe that's what's causing my EITMS to only activate while the bike is in neutral. I usually don't care for it, but in the hot SoCal summer weather I kind of need it. Sucks for me that the bike is no longer under warranty.

[@HarleyDayRider]

I think I need those that light up they are nice. Thanks for sharing. Ride Safe

[@timmysv1k94]

Brooo you are soo helpful

[@stygiiian01]

thank u for the help bro !!! just wondering if this the same case with a cbr600rr 2006 ????

[@christinajones2304]

Great video! We can't get our 18 CVO Road Glide to crank unless it IS in neutral, and now we can't get the neutral to light up?

[@johnnybotello4304]

What if i changed them already amd still no start on gear. W😊hat could it be?

[@Texasmayne89]

Does starting in 1st gear add stress to the bikes powertrain?? Reddit says yes, but I always start in 1st expect when warming it up

[@tomb.8485]

Thanks, helpful.

[@djmorgan8783]

Mine's doing the same thing also did the guy notice the bike idle up when come to a stop that is another I think problem happens

[@BoreSight1973]

Very helpful. Thank you

[@swilliams2530]

Great video.... thanks for the awesome tips

[@hafaadai-8089]

Thanks for the video. Does this also include internal clutches? My bike will rev in gear but when I pull and engage the clutch lever, it doesn’t; therefore, I have to put it in neutral to turn on my bike. Any thoughts? I have a 2022 Street Bob. Thx.

[@RidingintheOzarks]

Crazy its bad but I like your Lighted upgrade...

[@rachhpaldhaliwal2399]

Hello Everyone, I've 2017 Streetglide Special have the similar issue "N" light steady on even bike is in gear, bike will not start. Any susgessions to fix te issue??? thank you

[@bhead118]

Is a 2013 Softail Deluxe suppose to start while in gear as long as I press on the clutch

[@switchingearsgarage648]

Yes

[@OZARKSHDRIDERS]

Hey brother, my son has the exact same 2017 Street Glide special, and I have the 2017 Tri Glide, and guess how I figured out how to start it in gear, you can leave the bike in gear, turn on the ignition switch pull in the clutch and put your foot on the rear brake pedal and hit the start button, it works on both our bike's, Harley made them in 2017 to only start in neutral, but I just did it by accident one day and we have been starting them this way for a long time now, I pulled out at an intersection and my bike died and it took a bit to get it in neutral and that could have cost me my life, try it and let me know if it will work that way the next time you try to start it, ride safe brother 💯🤜🏼🤛🏼

[@switchingearsgarage648]

OZARKS H-D RIDER'S hey brother thanks for the info I tried it but it didn’t work it has to be the switch. I hoped it would work

[@OZARKSHDRIDERS]

@@switchingearsgarage648 that's crazy man, I think Harley should make them like they use to, they all use to start in any gear with the clutch pulled in, it's for sure not a very good safety thing,

[@twocents2557]

I have the same problem on my 2014 street glide hit with a shot of WD in a switch and it works fine now don’t know how long but it works fine now

[@OZARKSHDRIDERS]

@@twocents2557 that's a good thing....got to keep safe out there...pull out in a intersection you will definitely want it to start in gear!!

[@wedabrowns]

Haven’t seen you post in a while. Pray all is well. Ps Happy Birthday, SF!

[@switchingearsgarage648]

Hey brother thank you for checking on me! All is well I just literally got back from a MS ride 1200 miles. Will be editing video and posting this week!

[@wedabrowns]

Devil Dog? You Good?

[@switchingearsgarage648]

@@wedabrowns yes just been working and getting ready for retirement. Short update video coming today! Thank for checking in

[@KutterTheBarber]

Great informational bro!

[@ryanrodriguez2025]

I wonder if that’s what’s up with my sportster, mine does same exact rhing

[@robertkavanagh7251]

Excellent video. The cost of the one side in Canada is $330 today.

[@switchingearsgarage648]

Oh wow!

[@billyjimbob65]

Thanks!!!!

[@grttorres9102]

I just sprayed WD40 on the clutch switch on my 2018 and it started working again after a year of not working.

[@stevewignall3238]

You are correct. I had my doubts about it working but so far so good. Thanks

[@ManuelCamarena0725]

What’s the part called? I have a kawasaki zx6r

[@switchingearsgarage648]

What part are you referring to the neutral switch button in the housing?

[@pharaohnile867]

😎👍

[@kellyarnett4062]

Simply put it in neutral

[@switchingearsgarage648]

Please look at video again you should be able to start bike in gear.

[@ann-marie2375]

Not just annoying but blooming dangerous!

[@vallanvhaylock6118]

$250 for a switch

[@BoyFindsTako]

🤙🏽