How to Kickstart a Motorcycle and Tips! Also, Causes and Solutions for When the Engine Won't Start

How to Kickstart a Motorcycle: Basic Steps and Tips

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Kickstarting is an important skill to master before riding a motorcycle. Here are the steps for kickstarting:

Step 1: Turn the key to ON and prepare the engine.

Step 2: Kick the lever down to start the engine.

While motorcycles that only use kickstarts are rare today, some models have both electric starters and kickstarts. Knowing how to kickstart will give you peace of mind if your electric starter ever fails.

Step 1: Turn the key to ON and prepare the engine.

To kickstart, first get on the motorcycle and turn the key to the ON position to prepare the engine for starting.

On cold days, pull out the choke (common on older carburetor-equipped bikes) to enrich the fuel mixture, and also check that the fuel cock is in the ON position.

Once the engine is ready to start, extend the kick pedal on the right side of the vehicle to prepare for kickstarting.

Step 2: Kick the lever down to start the engine.

Once the engine is ready to start, extend the kick lever to its highest position, then push the kick lever down with your right foot.

If successful, the engine will start on the first kick. If it doesn't start, move the kick lever back to the highest position and push it down again.

Some motorcycles are equipped with a "decompression lever" to assist kickstarting, which helps reduce resistance when kicking.

Additional Note: Starting a Motorcycle Equipped with a Decompression Lever

A decompression lever is a mechanism that reduces resistance when kicking down the kickstart lever, and is often found on large displacement engines.

For motorcycles with a decompression lever, hold the decompression lever while the key is OFF and kick the lever down a few times.

When the kick becomes heavy, release the decompression lever, turn the key to ON, and kick again to start the engine.

Difference Between Kickstart and Electric Start (Self-Starter)

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There are mainly two types of motorcycle engine starting methods: kickstart and electric start.

We will explain the mechanism of kickstart and the differences between these starting methods, so please use this knowledge for reference.

Mechanism of Kickstart Motorcycles

To start a motorcycle engine, the crankshaft must be rotated. The power to rotate the crankshaft is provided by the kickstart.

On motorcycles equipped with a kickstart, depressing the kick pedal rotates the crankshaft, causing the engine to start.

Differences between Kickstart and Electric Start

The difference between kickstart and electric start lies in the starting process.

With a kickstart, you use your own strength to push down the kick pedal to start the engine. With an electric start, an electric motor is used to start the engine, which requires a battery.

There is also a difference in the effort required to start the engine. A kickstart requires the effort of pushing down the kick pedal, while an electric starter only requires pushing a button, so no such physical effort is needed.

Push-starting as an Emergency Measure

If neither the electric starter nor the kickstarter can be used, "push-starting" is an emergency method to start the engine.

Push-starting is generally possible with motorcycles equipped with carburetors; it is not possible with motorcycles equipped with fuel injection.

If you ride a carburetor-equipped motorcycle, it is recommended to master push-starting in case of an emergency.

Advantages of Kickstart Motorcycles

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While kickstarting requires a bit of effort to start, its simple structure offers advantages that electric starters do not.

The main advantages of kickstarting are as follows:

Reduced load on the battery
Simple mechanism, low risk of breakdown
Analog coolness

Advantage 1: Reduced load on the battery

One advantage of a kickstart is that the engine can be started even if the battery is low or dead.

Since the battery is not used for starting, there is less strain on the battery compared to electric start motorcycles.

This means battery drain is less likely to occur, and even if it does, the engine can still be started, which is a major advantage of kickstarting.

Advantage 2: Simple mechanism, low risk of breakdown

The kickstart's simple structure makes it less prone to breakdowns and easy to maintain.

While an electric start requires components like a starter motor and a battery to supply power, a kickstart motorcycle has a simpler design that allows it to start even without a battery.

Advantage 3: Analog coolness

Kickstarting is a starting method found on classic and two-stroke motorcycles, giving it a cool, analog feel.

Motorcycles are inherently analog machines, and the manual effort of starting the engine adds a certain rugged charm.

Disadvantages of Kickstart Motorcycles

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Kickstarting also has the following disadvantages:

It takes effort to start, which can be troublesome.
The risk of kickback is scary.

Let's explain these in order.

Disadvantage 1: It takes effort to start, which can be troublesome.

While kickstarting has a cool, analog feel, it can also be inefficient and bothersome compared to an electric start, which starts the engine with a simple push of a button.

It can be difficult to kickstart successfully if you're not used to it, making it a troublesome aspect compared to electric starters.

Disadvantage 2: Kickback is scary

When kicking down the lever to start the engine, there's a risk of kickback, where the lever snaps back and hits your foot. This is known as "Ketchin" in Japanese.

Since the metal kick lever bounces back at your foot, it can be very painful depending on where it hits, a disadvantage unique to kickstarting.

Especially for those new to kickstarting, it's easy to misjudge the kick and experience kickback, which can instill fear of kickstarting.

Causes of a Failed Kickstart and How to Address Them

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If the engine doesn't start with a kickstart, there could be several reasons.

If you've tried kickstarting multiple times without success, check for these causes.

1. Deterioration of the Spark Plug

If the spark plug is worn out or fouled, causing a malfunction, the engine may not start with a kickstart.

If the spark plug is faulty, it cannot produce a normal spark to the engine, which can prevent the engine from starting even with a kickstart.

It is recommended to replace motorcycle spark plugs every 3,000 to 5,000 km. If you've exceeded this period, inspect the plug for proper color and dryness, or replace it with a new one.

2. Dirty or Clogged Carburetor

If the carburetor is dirty, it can become clogged, preventing proper fuel supply to the engine, which may result in the engine not starting even with a kickstart.

Also, if a motorcycle hasn't been used for over a year, rust or dust from the fuel tank may mix with the fuel, or the fuel itself may deteriorate, preventing the engine from starting.

While most motorcycles sold since 2008 are fuel-injected, bikes sold before 2008 likely have carburetors.

3. Fuel Supply Failure

If there is a malfunction in the fuel pump, which draws fuel and sends it to the injection system or carburetor, fuel may not be supplied to the engine, preventing it from starting.

If the motorcycle has not been ridden for a long time, the fuel may degrade or rust and dust may mix into the fuel, causing the fuel path to clog and preventing fuel from reaching the engine.

4. Insufficient Engine Oil

If engine oil is insufficient, the engine will experience oil film breakage, leading to internal engine damage. In the worst case, this can cause engine seizure, and a seized engine may not allow the kickstart to move.

For 2-stroke motorcycles, engine oil is burned along with the fuel, so regular replenishment of 2-stroke oil is necessary. Neglecting to do so can lead to engine seizure, so be careful not to run out of oil.

Recommended Motorcycles with Kickstart

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Here are some recommended motorcycles with kickstarts, with the HONDA "Super Cub 50" being particularly recommended as it can be ridden with a moped license and has excellent fuel economy.

The Super Cub 50 features both a kickstart and an electric start, allowing you to start the engine with the kickstart if the battery is dead.

With an outstanding fuel economy of 69.4 km/L (WMTC mode), it's also an economical choice.

■HONDA Super Cub 50

Engine Type: 4-stroke air-cooled single cylinder
Displacement: 49cc
Maximum Output: 3.7ps
Maximum Torque: 3.8N・m
Dimensions (Length × Width × Height): 1,860 × 695 × 1,040 (mm)
Weight: 96Kg
New Vehicle Price (incl. tax): 247,000 yen
Used Market Price: Around 80,000 - 450,000 yen

5. HONDA TACT

The HONDA "TACT" is a scooter type that features both a kickstart and an electric start.

Models equipped with the eSP engine have an idling stop function, which activates when the battery is weak to help protect the battery.

With a classic design, this scooter comes standard with a combined braking system, which automatically distributes appropriate braking power to the front wheel when the rear brake (left hand) is applied, stabilizing the vehicle.

Engine Type: 4-stroke air-cooled single cylinder
Displacement: 49cc
Maximum Output: 4.5ps
Maximum Torque: 4.1N・m
Dimensions (Length × Width × Height): 1,675 × 670 × 1,035 (mm)
Weight: 79Kg
New Vehicle Price (incl. tax): 192,500 yen
Used Market Price: Around 40,000 - 300,000 yen

6. HONDA NSR250R

The HONDA "NSR250R," which was a major contributor to the golden age of racer replicas in the 1980s, is a hardcore model with only a kickstart and no electric starter.

The NSR250R includes the standard "R" model, the "SE" equipped with a dry clutch, and the "SP" which is based on the SE but features special paint and Magtek wheels.

Being a 2-stroke, the kickstart is lighter compared to 4-stroke kickstarts, and the bike is lightweight with overwhelming acceleration unique to 2-strokes. It remains a highly popular motorcycle even today.

Engine Type: 2-stroke liquid-cooled V-twin
Displacement: 249cc
Maximum Output: 40ps
Maximum Torque: 32.3N・m
Dimensions (Length × Width × Height): 1,970 × 650 × 1,045 (mm)
Weight: 137Kg
Used Market Price: Around 550,000 - 2,500,000 yen

Summary

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We've explained motorcycle kickstarting, including the engine starting procedure and the differences from electric starters.

While motorcycles equipped with kickstarts are becoming less common, kickstarting offers unique benefits, such as being able to start the engine even if the battery is dead.

We've also introduced some recommended kickstart-equipped motorcycles, so be sure to check them out if you're interested.