I have a new to me Hill Start assist on my 2014 K1600GTLE. The manual doesn't tell me how to use the hill start assist. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.
I'm still learning the Hill Start on my used 2016 bike I bought earlier this year but so far this is what I've figured out. The bike needs to be at a complete stand still, pull the front brake lever all the way kind of squeezing it hard, see that the H shows on the dash when it's set.
To release it you can either just start moving by twisting the throttle normally but there will be a hard spot while first twisting it before the bike actually starts to move
The other way is to pull the front brake lever a second time and the H will disappear and the brakes will be released.
Again I think the main thing is that the bike is at a complete stop and the wheels aren't moving at all before the H will appear when pulling on the front brake lever.
I agree with all the above, on my 2018 B I have also noticed that the abs warning light flashes for a moment as you drive away without releasing the hill start first and that if you kill the engine while you have hill start engaged it releases the brake :surprise: however I think it is a really useful feature especially as I have got used to it on my last few cars.
The manual explains it. On my ‘15, you pull and then pull again the front brake lever. Yes, you have to be stopped. And it only lasts so long because it’s “not a parking break.” Then, let go of brakes and start normally until the power overtakes and releases the break. No intervention with brake lever required.
Use caution and cover your brake while using it, in case you need to grab it quickly. On 2 occasions my hill start released without any input from me. I'm not sure why. It has been a long time since a repeat but I keep it in mind.
Also, the hill start will release if you put the kick stand down or turn the bike off.
If you don't want to use it, don't use it. I suppose the dealer might be able to disable it in the bikes brain or something like that. I actually have found this feature useful and reliable. And that's coming from a guy who generally hates gimmicks and complains a lot!
Yes but you have to give the bike more gas and it will not move right away like when not using the hill start. I have "trained" myself to watch the lights and quickly deactivate it with the front brake lever before pulling away but that's just me and those that know me don't usually want to follow my directions >
I too thought it was a feature that I wouldn't use much but I find myself using it quite a lot. I find it's easier to use than the lower part of my legs against the foot pegs to keep the bike still.
Different strokes but I use it all the time. Even when faced downhill at a traffic light, gives me a moment to relax. Pulling away whether it be up or down hill IMHO it is a matter of practice to get used to using it.
A month with my new bike and a few hundred miles; I love it! I use it constantly up hill down hill.
I agree I don't like to start off while it is still engaged.
I squeeze on and squeeze off then with foot on brake roll away as any other start.
Personally, I think it is a very nice addition to an incredible bike.
You’ll get used to starting off with it set. It takes a little practice and timing but will make a world of difference when loaded down and 2up...(plus a trailer). I love the hill start feature
It does work very nice with practice. I have taken ResQU's sage advice and start with it still engaged with no problems what so ever. I just needed to be more patient and stay in the friction zone for a split second longer that usual... using it more and its second nature now. Thanks Much...
Maybe on my annual trips up north, but for 95% of my riding in Flatlorida, it would just not be used.
I starting riding and driving in the hills of WV as a teenager, and you either learn how to drive a "straight" on hills or you don't survive. Living at the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains was taken for granted and today missed whenever I get on the bike.
Thx for the 2up comment ResQU. Being new here and on the heavy GTL will def try a different approach.
I grew up riding on the Grand Prairie of Eastern AR on a 1969 Honda CL175, hence no need for it. Now, living in the hills of LR and enjoying the Ozarks every chance I get, it is priceless!
I just went through this today on my 2018 GTL. I pulled it once and than pulled the brake lever a second time kinda firm. An H than lit up on the dash and it held. One pull didn't seem to activate it. It took 2 times on my bike.
First page of the Table of Contents has "Hill Start Control" listed along with the page number.
Here is the text (pictures provided in manual):
Using Hill Start Control
Apply brake lever 1 firmly and then release.
The indicator lamp for Hill Start Control appears on the display.
Hill Start Control has been activated.
To turn off Hill Start Control, pull brake lever 1 again. Alternatively, drive off in 1st or 2nd gear.
I had a problem with hill start until, with some training, I realized that releasing the clutch and adding gas should not be quite a simultaneous process. Try to lead with clutch release slowly and then keep adding as little gas as necessary to hear the same rpm-s. It is the clutch release, that at one point, releases the brake.
I thought it’s linked to the bikes ABS. When it senses wheel movement it releases....the ABS light flashes on the instrument display. If it was the clutch lever, (micro switch) it would release while your in neutral and lever released....
It's just a software change but not for your 2013 or below. They change something with the ABS pump/stem. My dealer tried to get it for me but found only 2014 & after.
I LOVE the hill assist, especially 2 up in the mountains.
I have to say, when I first heard of hill start I thought " Great just something else to break, who would use it"?
Well...…..my GTL is a heavy bike and exiting my own country road is a little challenging.
IF there is any traffic I find my self using the hill start.
Happened to me at a property entry gate that was slow to open, grabbed handful of front brake and then tried to roll throttle only to stall. Of course I wasn't the only one at the gate. There was a line of vehicles behind me...Can be nerve racking if you're not prepared and people can be so mean for no reason.:frown:0
I had never used it before including in San Francisco on Lombard ST in the rain. I was reading this thread and decided to try it and have fallen in love with it. Pissed I haven't used it before, works great!
I had forgotten I had this accessory on my '18 GTL. Was out on a ride yesterday, and while at a stop light, I noticed the "H". Took me a few seconds to realize what it was, but had no idea how I had moved it into H. As I remember now, I stalled the bike leaving the stop light. Thanks to you guys, I know now how to properly use this feature
My 2018 GTL's Hill Start was unreliable at best. When activated it showed a white 'H' logo. As a result of reading these pages I persuaded my dealer to update the software. The 'H' logo is now GREEN and the Hill Start works consistently. As a bonus my 'OK/Check' Oil virtually never worked. Post update it now works every time.
Good thing also of hill start, is that the brake lights are on when you activate, good for trafic coming behind!
Regarding white or green logo, I think this is due to have it in automatic mode or manual mode.
Enjoy!
The latest update fixes the hill start problems and does away with several alerts that came through the Nav on a less than perfect hill start. Hill start light now green after the update.
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