What are some tips for kick starting a motorcycle?

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bluemonkie99 · Tue Jan 17, 2006 3:46 pm

I'm new to motorcycles and I have an 81 Yamaha XS 400 as my starter bike with both kick and electric start. I want to use the kickstart but I can't manage to kick it fast enough to start. I really can't get it past halfway sometimes. Are there any special techniques/tricks/tips for a kickstarter? Maybe I'm just too small to use one? I would appreciate any help you could give me.

#2 Unread post by **ZooTech** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 4:07 pm

Gotta get up and jump on it sometimes, especially without a compression release. Sounds like you may just want to keep that battery and starter in a good state of repair!

#3 Unread post by **9000white** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 4:07 pm

all kicking it will do is give you a sore foot.take your right foot and put it on the lever and push down hard.once you learn how to do it you can crank them with your hand using the lever.

Tue Jan 17, 2006 4:16 pm

Make sure it's choked. Even if it's a warm day out, kick starting can be a pain in the "O Ring". Also, try giving it a *little* bit of throttle when kicking. If it sputters and dies with the choke on full, bring it back to half-choke and try again.

bluemonkie99 · Tue Jan 17, 2006 4:23 pm

my upperbody strength isn't quite as developed as i may need to do the kickstart my hand. i have tried jumping on it but i think i just need practice. my balance isn't the best either. my boyfriend literally jumps down on it so i'm hoping i actually have the size to manage it on my own.

#6 Unread post by **Jamers!** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 5:10 pm

inspect the kickstart bar and components, make sure nothing is out of order, and if you want, get some WD-40 on the kickstart hinge to make it a little easyer and smoother

JWF

sapaul · #7 Unread post by **sapaul** » Wed Jan 18, 2006 3:03 am

One further tip, get an experianced rider to show you how to bump start the bike, if you get stuck with a flat battery and you can not kick start then you could bump start it.

bikeguy joe · Sat Jan 21, 2006 3:13 am

Kickstarting- the lost art.

Get the bike on the sidestand, then holding the front brake, stand on the kickstart lever. Drop your body weight (which may be very small) with a slightly bent knee. straighten your leg as you go and before the bottom of the stroke, your leg should be straight. Try it when the bike is already warmed up and see if you can get it to go.

Try to find someone who has done it before to show you how- preferably someone who has a kickstart Harley, or older Britbike.

If your Yammy is in a good state of tune and you weigh over 98 lbs. you should be able to do it.

Use the electric leg for now.