Kick start or not?

[Oldwolf]

My Kickstart lever, and my motocross boots conspire to keep me just enough off center to make me crazy. Can the lever be adjusted out of my way or is the only option to remove it?

[DohcBikes]

Originally Posted by Oldwolf

My Kickstart lever, and my motocross boots conspire to keep me just enough off center to make me crazy. Can the lever be adjusted out of my way or is the only option to remove it?

I just take mine off. If the electric start fails you can still push start em.

[TxTaoRider]

I only use mine when I'm riding with my dirtbike buddies to show them I have a "real dirtbike". Lol

DohcBikes is probably right, it's not hard to push start these low compression bikes, unless of course the battery dies/starter fails and you're in a mud hole, or someplace that would make it tough.

[JerryHawk250]

Not sure what bike you have. I'm assuming it sticking out to far. If similar to the Hawk kickstand, where it pivots you can grind a little out the back side where it hit in the up position. This will allow it to fold in farther.

[Spins]

What Jerry said. I took a dremel to mine and it made a world of difference. I’ve been riding my buds Recon stock and it’s a night and day difference.
Don’t be afraid to grind both the kickstarter and back rest as I call it. I took a little off at time. It will only go in so far with ball joint and rest in position. But if you over grind it as I did, it will push in little farther if you hit it with your boot and fall back into position.

[tknj99]

Decided to take mine off, afterall i have never used it plus i carry a portable jump-starter in my tail-bag.. looks to be about a 1 lb weight loss and looks better without it, win-win

[Megadan]

I compromised with my kick start lever. I took it off, but then zip tied it up under the tail to the frame for that "just in case" scenario.

[cycleway4]

Originally Posted by Megadan

I compromised with my kick start lever. I took it off, but then zip tied it up under the tail to the frame for that "just in case" scenario.

I like this....great idea.

[ChillRider]

Originally Posted by tknj99

Decided to take mine off, afterall i have never used it plus i carry a portable jump-starter in my tail-bag.. looks to be about a 1 lb weight loss and looks better without it, win-win

But won't carrying that jump-starter with you all the time offset the weight reduction by at least the same amount, plus raising your center of gravity?


TBQH I like the kickstarter on my Zong. It has saved me several times from an unexpected drained battery (and kept me starting while waiting for a replacement). I do have a (heavy, lead-acid based) starter/booster/air pump thingy at home, but even then, it'd be a chore to remove the saddle just to start the bike...plus I couldn't easily carry it around for the way back.


As for push/roll starting....I've tried doing it a few times but it's really not as easy as one would think. Yeah, compression is low, but so is the eagerness of the bike to start when cold.

[tknj99]

Originally Posted by ChillRider

But won't carrying that jump-starter with you all the time offset the weight reduction by at least the same amount, plus raising your center of gravity?

Touche! [Sound of air being let out of the tires in the background]