What does turning the motorcycle key to the third position mean?
3 Answers
Tire aspect ratio is a data point of a tire, referring to the percentage of the tire's cross-sectional height to its maximum cross-sectional width. Below are the precautions for tire replacement and the characteristics of low aspect ratio tires: Precautions for tire replacement: The tires equipped when the vehicle leaves the factory are the optimal specifications selected by the manufacturer after repeated testing. If you want to replace tires with different sizes and specifications, it must be done under the guidance of professionals and not arbitrarily, as this involves many issues, and even slight negligence can pose risks to driving safety. Additionally, low aspect ratio tires tend to be more delicate, requiring more attention and care during use. Characteristics of low aspect ratio tires: Low aspect ratio, large inner diameter tires have shorter sidewalls and wider treads, resulting in a larger contact area and the ability to withstand greater pressure. They are very responsive to the road surface, have strong lateral resistance during turns, and enhance the vehicle's handling performance.
I've been riding motorcycles for several years and I'm very familiar with the keyhole positions. Turning to the third position is the START position, which is specifically for starting the engine. When operating, first turn the key from OFF to ON to power up, wait for the dashboard lights to come on, then gently turn the key to START, and the starter will engage to ignite the engine. After starting, the key automatically springs back to the ON position because START is a temporary gear and shouldn't be held for long—otherwise, the starter may overheat or the battery could drain quickly. I recommend ensuring the bike is in neutral or the clutch is pulled in when starting to prevent dangerous movement; if starting is difficult, it might be due to a weak battery, so check and charge it regularly to avoid repeated attempts that could harm the bike. After starting, you can turn the key back to OFF when parking, but the START position is only used for ignition. Beginners might make mistakes, but with practice, it becomes second nature.
When I first started learning to ride a motorcycle, I wasn't quite sure about the keyhole positions, but I figured it out later. The third position is the START position. When you turn the key there, the engine will start cranking to attempt ignition, and then the key will automatically return to the ON position. It's a simple operation; just don't hold it for too long, no more than 3 seconds, otherwise, the starter can burn out or the battery might drain. I remember the instructor said to stand firmly with your feet on the ground before starting to avoid the bike tipping over; after starting, don't rush to move, check that the instrument display is normal. If the start fails, wait a bit before trying again—don't force it, as there might be insufficient fuel or an aging battery. This position is only useful for starting; after the engine is running, you don't need to worry about it. Safety comes first when learning to ride, and once you understand the positions, you won't twist the key randomly.
