Will an EFI engine start with a dead battery?

jsonnentag · 11-16-2023, 04:26 PM

I know my answer based on my experience, but I am wondering if anybody else has experienced anything else or knows more about it in general.

So the question is will any EFI engine in a motorcycle start if you have a dead battery. From my attempts the answer is NO. You can get a lot of exercise kicking it over though. Has anybody else experienced anything else?

[A long time ago I had a 1981 Yamaha XT 250 and I think it had a dead (dead for all practical purposes anyway) battery for a few years and I rode it around just fine.]

Based on that non-starting I have decided it was a bad idea to buy such an item (X-PECT) for remote from civilization use in the first place and anything purchased in the future for remote use will NOT be EFI. I like the better mileage, but EFI is for when you are likely to be around other people and be able to get a jump if needed (as far as I can tell). Gravity fed fuel for remote usage. . . .

Sailor4809 · 11-16-2023, 04:33 PM

It will start yes

**JerryHawk250** · 11-16-2023, 05:50 PM

You will need a battery to run the fuel pump. I carry a small jump pack with me even on my carb bikes just in case.

Do©Hawk · 11-16-2023, 06:17 PM

I just saw a YouTube video where a guy was attempting to bump start on a hill with a dead battery and with the battery cable removed completely from the battery. With a dead or low battery, it was possible, but with no battery,, no dice. That was a Kawasaki if I remember correctly.

GypsyR · 11-17-2023, 12:28 AM

Many bikes in the 1970's and '80s had "battery ignition". Dead battery equaled no go, no matter what you did. Most of the ones I had were like that but a few I could push start battery or no. Different designs. My XR600 doesn't even have a battery to begin with. I wouldn't really expect any modern bike to push start with a really dead or removed battery no matter whether EFI or not. Most would with a low battery though.

Bikenut · 11-17-2023, 08:56 AM

I admit I'm old... maybe that is why I always liked bikes with magneto ignition systems. If the engine was spinning from kick start or bump start there was spark. Hated adjusting the points tho......

JFOlivier · 11-17-2023, 09:26 AM

EFI equals electronic fuel injection, so no fuel pressure no injection and no battery power equals no fuel pressure. So in my opinion you can have all the ignition you want but without that fuel injection you aint going nowhere.

11-16-2023, 04:26 PM	#1
jsonnentag Join Date: Oct 2023 Posts: 10	Will an EFI engine start with a dead battery? I know my answer based on my experience, but I am wondering if anybody else has experienced anything else or knows more about it in general. So the question is will any EFI engine in a motorcycle start if you have a dead battery. From my attempts the answer is NO. You can get a lot of exercise kicking it over though. Has anybody else experienced anything else? [A long time ago I had a 1981 Yamaha XT 250 and I think it had a dead (dead for all practical purposes anyway) battery for a few years and I rode it around just fine.] Based on that non-starting I have decided it was a bad idea to buy such an item (X-PECT) for remote from civilization use in the first place and anything purchased in the future for remote use will NOT be EFI. I like the better mileage, but EFI is for when you are likely to be around other people and be able to get a jump if needed (as far as I can tell). Gravity fed fuel for remote usage. . . .
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11-16-2023, 05:50 PM	#3
JerryHawk250 Moderator Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: Houma, La. Posts: 11,555	You will need a battery to run the fuel pump. I carry a small jump pack with me even on my carb bikes just in case. __________________ 2023 Lifan Lycan 250 Chopper 2023 Venom Evader 2022 Lifan KPX250 2020 Kawasaki Vulcan S 2004 Honda ST 1300 2016 Black Hawk 250 (sold) Keihin PE30 carb,125 main,38 slow.Pod filter,ported & decked head 10:1 CR,Direct Ignition Coil,15/40Sprockets,NGK DPR8EIX-9,De-Cat,Dual Oil Cooler,Digital Cluster 2016 Cazador180 XL 2014 Coolster150 JerryHawk250.com My YouTube Channel
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11-16-2023, 06:17 PM	#4
Do©Hawk Join Date: Oct 2023 Location: Western PA Posts: 192	I just saw a YouTube video where a guy was attempting to bump start on a hill with a dead battery and with the battery cable removed completely from the battery. With a dead or low battery, it was possible, but with no battery,, no dice. That was a Kawasaki if I remember correctly. __________________ 2022 Hawk DLX EFI * 17T Front / 47T Rear / upgraded chain * Kenda K-760 front + rear * Banjo brake light switch * LED headlight + front turn signals * Debadged (I don't like to brag about the superior strength!) * Top speed, GPS verified, as equipped: 68 mph (so far)
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11-16-2023, 04:33 PM	#2
Sailor4809 Join Date: Mar 2023 Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana Posts: 26	It will start yes
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11-17-2023, 12:28 AM	#5
GypsyR Join Date: Feb 2023 Location: Upstate SC Posts: 272	Many bikes in the 1970's and '80s had "battery ignition". Dead battery equaled no go, no matter what you did. Most of the ones I had were like that but a few I could push start battery or no. Different designs. My XR600 doesn't even have a battery to begin with. I wouldn't really expect any modern bike to push start with a really dead or removed battery no matter whether EFI or not. Most would with a low battery though.
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11-17-2023, 08:56 AM	#6
Bikenut Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: Near Saginaw Mich. Posts: 176	I admit I'm old... maybe that is why I always liked bikes with magneto ignition systems. If the engine was spinning from kick start or bump start there was spark. Hated adjusting the points tho......
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11-17-2023, 09:26 AM	#7
JFOlivier Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Northern Neck of Virginia. Posts: 164	EFI equals electronic fuel injection, so no fuel pressure no injection and no battery power equals no fuel pressure. So in my opinion you can have all the ignition you want but without that fuel injection you aint going nowhere.
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