There a lot of questions and some popular misconceptions about using jumper cables on motorcycles and ATVs, etc. Hopefully, this will clear up a few of them.
#1: Never jump your mc, atv, snowmobile, etc. off of a car or truck that's engine is running.
I don't know why most dealerships don't tell people this when they purchase the machine, but I haven't met one yet that does. Doing so will pretty much fry your electrical charging system. You "can" let your machine's battery trickle charge off of a running car or truck PROVIDING that your own ignition system is switched off. However, before you turn on your ignition switch to actually jump the thing off, make SURE that the engine on the car or truck is no longer running.
#2: Types of jumper cables that work best.
I've used everything from standard jumper cables made for a car to an old lamp cord that I cut off and put battery clips on each end. They work, just not really recommended. The real trick is to have a set of jumper cables that have battery clips that "fit" a small engine's battery. Car or Truck jumper cables really don't "fit" motorcycles or atv's very well. So you need to use smaller cables that have the right battery clips, with a strong enough gauge wire to handle the current. 8 or 10 gauge is sufficient for almost any small battery vehicle. They also need to be long enough to be easy to use in almost any situation. 5 or 6 ft. lengths will work, but not comfortably in most situations. What I've almost always ran into when a battery died is the simple fact that there is no easy way to get someone that is willing and has jumper cables close enough without having to push my bike around some other parked vehicles in order to reach the vehicle I'm jumping off from. (It's sort of like the " you never have a flat unless it's dark, raining, or both" kind of luck.) So try to find some that have a good 8 to 12 ft. length to them if you can.
There are also some two-part cables that are now on the market. These are great devices because they remove the problem of unscrewing screws to remove seats, opening battery covers, etc. So they're a good thing to keep on your bike, atv, snowmobile, etc. These work by having one section that has a permanent connection to your battery on one end and a plug on the other. The jumper cable section simply plugs into the plug on the battery connection piece and you have a good set of working jumper cables. Some of these have plugs that are compatible with some of the trickle chargers and heating clothing on the market. That way you get dual purpose usage. A real "win/win" situation.
I've also come across the plug into the lighter kind of jumpers. They're fused for safety, and they work pretty well providing that you are willing to allow the time to trickle charge your battery a bit before trying to jump off your machine. These work by plugging a power plug into the lighter socket of a car or truck and then hooking the battery clip ends to the battery of your motorcycle, atv, snowmobile, etc.
They are all good solutions, just be sure to pick the one that you're most comfortable with and trust to work for you.
#3: Do I "Really" Need To Carry Jumper Cables ?
In my own opinion, the answer is an absolute "YES". I've been riding for over 35 years now and the one thing I know is that there's no substitute for having roadside emergency gear. I personally carry a small battery operated air pump and a set of jumper cables in my saddlebag. Tires go low, ignitions accidentally get left on, batteries sometimes just simply "die" with no apparent warning that they're bad or getting that way. There is no worse feeling than that of being stranded with no way of getting your motorcycle, atv, snowmobile, etc. home and the idea of it "disappearing" while you go find a way to return for it.
I truly hope that this info helps some of the newer riders out there. That's why I wrote it.
