Kickstarting

[Pittenger5]

Ok, dumb ass question, but how do you kickstart the bike? I tore a massive hole in the side of my boot from hitting the footpeg while kicking. Usually kept the kickstart lever under the arch of my foot, but obviously that was a bad idea.

[Sheppo]

That's where I keep my foot on the kicker...not sure why you hit the foot peg. Do you bring it to tdc then kick, or just kick away?

[Chippertheripper]

Arch. Anything else is setting yourself up for ankle injury.

[Kurlon]

Roll motor to TDC (gets hard to move the kickstarter), then just nudge it past, reset kickstart lever to top of travel. Place arch firmly on lever and give it one solid full drop kick. On my machine, the lever bottoms out on my aftermarket pegs, so far no impact to my boots. Dunno what you're doing to hit the side of your boot unless your foot is slipping off? (If so, get a new lever so there isn't slop in the pivot, makes a world of difference.)

[R1]

Wirelessly posted

1 extend kickstart
2 place foot on top of kickstart
3 kick
If engine doesnt start keep kicking
4 engine briefly turns over
5 practice favorite swear worda
6 extend kickstart again
7 take deep breathe
8 kick while applying light throttle
9 engine starts briefly
10 remeber to pull choke
11 extend kick start
12 deep breathe again
13 kick vigosously like you are training for a one legged running race
14 bike starts
15 scramble to shut off choke
16 bike floods and stalls
17 practice more swear words (at this point you have a favorite. Yell it as loud as you can)
18 extend kickstart
19 talk gently to the bike encouraging it to start reminding it off that nice oil change and bath you will give it when you get home
20 deep breathe again
21 tell yourself this is it. Its gonna start this time
22 deep breathe again
23 kick the shit out of it this time like your fucking stomping on the bug that scared the shit out of you last week. Most likely a spider.
24 bikes starts briefly
25 remeber choke again
26 this motherfucking piece of shit bike
27 fuck you and your leaf blower mother
28 scream at the top of your lungs
29 fucking piece of shit bike
30 check gas tank
31 empty
32 drop bike on the ground and walk awaya
33 wait a week
34 look at bike in storage
35 fuck you bike
36 watch tv instead
37 win

[Pigman]

Wear some good motorcross boots......can't wear work boots they are too soft and it will go right through them. As it did to me too...

[csmutty]

2 stroke FTW!

[typeone]

you might be kicking sideways a bit. try directly down, and full stroke. if you need to, lean the bike towards you so you're kicking down and not out to the side... which can have you slip and hit the peg.

[B440]

2 stroke FTW!

2-stroke 500 ---> same starting drill as thumper

[Kurlon]

2 stroke FTW!

Heh, try kicking over my WR some time, kicks like a thumper with no compression release.

[Pigman]

or a CR250......good luck with that

[Awesome]

I had the problem with cheap boots, not with higher end boots. Maybe you're kicking too hard or frantically as well? Pretty much do what Kurlon said, CRF250 doesn't have all that much resistance like the 450 did. Twist the gas 5 quick times, then don't touch it when kicking. If it's starting hard, check or have the valves checked, and consider if it's jetted right for your climate?

[typeone]

it's all in the tune, then process.

[Pittenger5]

I dont kick very hard, only usually have to kick it once, maybe twice if its being a pain, I dont know what the deal is.

[csmutty]

Screw you guys with your big person bikes. I can start my 125 with my pinky.

[Kurlon]

Screw you guys with your big person bikes. I can start my 125 with my pinky.

Doesn't your 125 have a pull cord?

[csmutty]

Doesn't your 125 have a pull cord?

Actually....my other 125 does...

[a13x]

I had same problem with my boots and my CRF250.

[obsolete]

Did you put your purse down?