In this paper the start fuel index was developed to estimate ride quality of a forklift truck during the start motion. Through the consultation with test drivers, definition of start feel was made, and three parameters were selected to describe the start motion. They are engagement shock in the forwarding direction, vertical and pitch vibration respectively. To find out the relation between the measured motion and the subjective fueling, both the subjective rating and the measurement of vehicle motions were performed simultaneously. The correlation analysis between the two kinds of results showed start fuel was expressed by the measured accelerations with accuracy and reliability, Use of the new index has advantages of not only evaluating start fuel only by the measured signals but providing the consistent results which are not affected by physical and mental state of a test driver. Usefulness of the new index was confirmed by verification test on four new forklift trucks of a same model, which showed the order of preference by the index was coincided that by subjective evaluation.