I could not agree with you more. This is something I plan on doing this summer. I always ride alone because I don't know anyone who has the same type or interst in motorcycles as I do. Something I also do by myself is snowmobile and wouldn't you know it, it broke down on me last saturday. Managed to get it out of the woods to a main road and was able to get a cell phone signal. I cannot stop what I love to do, because I cannot find anybody to go with. A KICKSTART is high on my list of things to do. Will I need it. I hope not!

 

I have the same problem with my 351. Once the motor is warmed up it fires right up with the kick starter. With it cold I kick what seems like forever. Never have figured out why.

 

would one of the jet ski pumper type starter units help?

 

So what happens if you treat this ride like a big bore on a cold start up? Tip it over, flood the carb, get it to TDC then lean into it(full weight kick start). My MX 360, 400 and CR480 always started within 3 kicks using that method.

 

Just tried this.

Tipped the bike over in the garage for 20 seconds. Had a puddle of gas sitting there when I picked it up. Ran through the kick starter slowly until I found TDC. Kicked like hell after that. Used full choke, no throttle. Several kicks later, no choke, no throttle. Several kicks later, no choke some throttle. Several kicks later, full choke, some throttle. Don't know how many times I kicked. Probably 20-30. Couldn't start it.

 

Might have to try this next, although since tipping the bike over didn't work I'm not terribly confident that this will work. Any experience with doing this? Who knows???

If I can't solve this issue, I'm selling the bike. Love the size, it's a lot of fun, but I've got to have the thing working to ride it confidently.

Thanks,

Jon

 

It still could be your technique, some people have the knack and some don't. I sold a bike too a fool one time that he couldn't get started with the electric start. I had had the bike for years and it had been ridden it through the worst places I could find with no issues what so ever. I decided too sell it and when the dude arrived I fired it up rode some wheelies and slid it sideways so the guy could see that in the right hands it was a great bike. I turned it over to him and he proceeded to kill the battery trying to start it. It was funny if I pushed the button the bike fired right to life, if he pushed it it would never hit a lick. He also couldn't use the clutch, I had to push him down the drive to get underway. He bought the bike and was never happy with it, I was sorry that I sold it to him. What was he doing different the me I have no idea, he just couldn't start my bike.

 

wasn't there a thread about running this bike dry on shut down????? That solved this hard start situation? I think deej and others did that back in 06 or something that solved the issue.

 

I still think it is the KACR, so you can take that off & you might as well take the e-starter off too.
I ran my battery down to low to turn the starter over out on the trail (left the ignition on over an break that ended up being 45 mins or so). I just bump started the bike (once the battery will not turn the engine over... stop).
My BSA 650, it started with a kick starter pretty good, but in the morning I always found it easier just to bump start it.
I agree that there are a few people that could not start anything. I was the designated starter in my family.

 

I always keep a plug socket wrench and screwdriver in the toolbag on the Husky. When all else fails, (and/or if engine is cold) pull the plug, pull the fuel line at the carb end, turn on petcock to dribble some gas into the jug, replace fuel line and plug. BANG! Works every time.