Damage from parking in gear--danger or myth?

[Anonymous]

As far as a car goes read your manual, my last four cars have been manual transmissions and the manual in each said to park the car in second gear. I don't know why it was second but it was and one of these was a vw jetta. As far as bikes go I got my license through an msf course and the instructors taught you to leave the bike in gear with a wheel butting the curb if there was any grade at all (preferably the back wheel unless your are incredibly strong)

[Anonymous]

Not to keep adding to the fray, but yeah that's got to be a myth. Nevermind the fact that bike trannies are built for serious work - the whole bike is built to roll. What would be damaged? Wheels turn tranny turn engine, right?

I think your friend is just overprotective.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for all the replies. I tend to agree with the myth conclusion but my friend, who has ridden for 40 years and owned countless bikes over the years, insists his 91 or 92 Harley Heritage Classic had first gear trashed by parking in gear on a hill. BTW he was letting me test ride his V Strom 1000, which is a great ride except for the somewhat clunky transmission.

[earlfor]

I dont understand how it would be possible to damage a transmission from parkinga bike in gear. The normal loading on the transmission gears is FAR in excess of any load possible on them with the bike parked and engine not running. If tranny gears were that fragile, bump starting would cause instant self destruction. :-)

Earl

As far as a car goes read your manual, my last four cars have been manual transmissions and the manual in each said to park the car in second gear. I don't know why it was second but it was and one of these was a vw jetta. As far as bikes go I got my license through an msf course and the instructors taught you to leave the bike in gear with a wheel butting the curb if there was any grade at all (preferably the back wheel unless your are incredibly strong)

[bgmart450]

If tranny gears were that fragile, bump starting would cause instant self destruction. :-)

Earl

Haha, my thoughts exactly. I was wondering who'd bring that up.

Truth is, as people mentioned, do what the owner asks for, but I can't imagine leaving your bike in gear could be bad....

[mcycle-nut]

If the starter will engage without pulling the clutch you have a problem with the wiring.

Or are on a bike that never had any clutch switch, or someone has disabled the switch.

[Anonymous]

Ohhhh! He's talking about Harleys! Of course! You don't dare leave those parked in gear! All parts on a harley are extremely prone to failure!


:twisted: Just kidding.

[Anonymous]

Myth

[argonsagas]

Thanks for all the replies. I tend to agree with the myth conclusion but my friend, who has ridden for 40 years and owned countless bikes over the years, insists his 91 or 92 Harley Heritage Classic had first gear trashed by parking in gear on a hill. BTW he was letting me test ride his V Strom 1000, which is a great ride except for the somewhat clunky transmission.

Unfortunately, many people confuse cause and effect, and do not think beyond the obvious, regardless of apparent experience. Your friend seems to fit this pattern.

The only way that statement could be right is if the gear was trash before the bike was parked, and that fact had not been noticed.

[Anonymous]

I think the myth came from cars and trucks where it apparently can be damaging to have the vehicle hit by another vehicle parking in front or behind you. This sends a fairly high energy surge through the drive train which can break off teeth in the transmission.

[duaneage]

You can leave my 650 in gear or out , Jim, I pull the clutch to start it either way and always look at the indicator to see what is going on

Let's get together and ride this month