I taught my daughter to drive a stick but I made her use an automatic to test for her license. I don't think she ever drove an automatic again. Next I taught her to power shift and double clutch. She got the hang of it pretty quick. She can even explain why this is not hard on the transmission unless you are stupid and do it like a damn idiot. As you can imagine I'm very proud of her but I do wish she wouldn't show off her advanced skills just to humiliate the poor fellas.
Millennials didn’t build the cars without clutches or bikes without kickstarts. They also didn’t manufacture or hand out the participation trophies that boomers and old gen x’ers complain about. Compassion should belong to every generation. -A Xennial
Honestly I think it'd be cool if all bikes had a kick start as a backup. I got to push start a Intruder 800 today. That was fun... cause I wasn't the one pushing lol.
You make electric start sound like it's some terrible thing. Once you're stuck on a steep hill in 100 degree heat sweating your balls off its nice to have a ln electric start. Especially if you are short like I am. Although I agree that to have a bike with no kickstand backup is stupid.
I see what your saying but the thing is... if u have electric start and a kickstart. would you rather just push a button or pull the kickstart out and then kick until it starts? I like the kickstart more than electric start. The problem is that people are getting used to electric start and then once companies find out more people like it then they start just adding electric start and not kick start...
I'm not a meleneil but my electric start went out so I needed to kick it today. 2 yrs in and I felt embarrassed not doing it right today. Tired myself out and everything lol. Walked outside after this video and no issues starting it over and over again. Thanks for the video buddy. Its 30 degrees today.
@@ricgsy7825 kids today bitch about kickstarting a 250f with auto-decompression device 🤷♂️ I think tho , I'd rather kick an 83 husky 500 than a '99 YZ400f 🤣 they kick back like beeeatch
Surprised I have to say this, but E-start is less of a pain in the Ass, that's why many people from all generations prefer it!?!. Kick doesn't make you more of a man, in fact, thinking it does is the mentality of a child... However, kick start isn't as bad as many people think it is so this Video does have a point.
I have bikes with both, so I'm not avoiding e-start bikes, but I have an issue with my friends who won't touch a kicker just because it's a kicker. Never had a kicker need a battery charged or a push start so that's my preference.
I want a kickstart because I don't want to rely on estart, however id love an estart for the long rides and enduros, kickstarting on a slippery slope is just a slippery slope😕
I'm a millennial and I own an 87' xr600r. It ain't always fun having that thing kick back but it sure as hell taught me a lot about riding. It's my baby.
Hermit DaVlog i was born on the year 2000 and i just love old school and classic bikes. They just have that authenthic motorcycle charm to it. The bike i'll be riding will be a 400cc classic bike that has a kickstart and is carbureted just like the good days. Sportsbikes are awesome and fast, i would like to get my hands on it someday but it lacks soul. Awesome the video btw, very informative and short. The way that it should be
Been riding since i was 5 with my whole family. Mom, pop, sister, me. And we had our close group of really good family friends who were all also riders. Went out every so often with the trailers and bikes, had our weekends out in the deserts. Were the best times of my life. But since i was so young, i wasnt strong enough to kickstart my little CRF50, so my dad always had to do it for me. But id always give it a solid few goes before i finally let my dad do it. And i remember the day that i had finally kickstarted my bike for the first time. Remember visually where we were and everything. We went out for the weekend, and on a ride together we stopped outside a local track to watch the riders. And once we decided we had our fills, i had to start my bike since we were sitting there. So after 3 good kicks i managed to turn her over, turn around and ride away. But it was one of the best feelings ever for little 5 year old me. Had some of the best times of my life out on two wheels in the desert with some great friends. I'd give anything to have that again.
I own an older style MX bike with only a kick start, I know how to start pretty much any bike easy or stubborn...yet I find myself entertained as if it was day 1 all over again.
I've already watched this video half a dozen times, probably my favorite video from you so far! This is incredibly useful information and the video quality is excellent. I'll make sure to make sure to share it with anyone who's interested. Oh, btw you posted this video the same day I looked at a kickstart bike for sale. Why do you tempt me??
HEY, all of us are not bad. Who raised us? yeah YOU DID, the ones complaining about it. Anyways, Got a 92 xr600r and you gotta use your whole body to start her, of course it get easier once you get use to it. I like the kickstarter because it is more reliable (xrs are already know to be rock solid) and it saves a bit on weight, which seems redundant on the 600 because its a heavy bike already.
I have a dr350 and i cannot kickstart it for the life of me. Last bit seemed pretty useful. Ill try to give that a shot since I transported the bike on it side
matty d I was born in 97'. I only have old wood and metal guns, Bike without computers that are carburated and kickstart. Most of my bike and ATV's were 1980's bikes. That's what I grew up on. I don't like computers or automatic transmission because they are bullshit and people who use them are cancer. I was suppose to buy a new dirt bike for the first time in my entire life but they're all with this fancy launch control and stuff that makes me sick to look at and they don't make dual sports like they use to either. I really want a Honda steel frame and engine dual sport that's at least 400cc but they don't make them anymore. Just the 650 but I want something like an XR400 or XR500. I'd settle for a 250 but it's fuel injected and doesn't have a kick start. Then I thought I'd try Yamaha but same shit so now I'm just gonna settle for a DR-Z400 Suzuki. The DR-Z is perfect, carburated and kick start conversion kit isn't to hard to install I hear.
Your XR250 looks great with those graphics and the rear fender. I'm thinking about doing mine with a similar look. I have a '99 XR250R, really, really great bikes!
Thanks for the help. Subscribed. Now I'll go see if you did any on tuning the carb. I have a 2003 XR400 with a brand new Mukuni T36 and it becomes fussy to start after warming up. Cheers.
A starting sequence is like foreplay, don't do it right and you ain't going riding ;) Another trick for a flooded motor is to lean the bike over and drain the excess fuel from the carb to kick loose the float bowl. Great video bro! I feel uneasy riding a bike without a kicker.
I loved the E ride start comment! It's true, the other day I was thinking about replacing my Pathfinder but it's almost impossible to find a vehicle with a manual transmission. I've already switched my Mustang and Camaro from auto to manual transmissions my next project is a five speed swap in my motorhome. I didn't realize that my WR 250 R didn't have a kickstart until after I bought it. I'm going back to old-school. The XR your riding is awesome !
I'm a millenial and millenials annoy me. I've only ever owned manual cars. I learned on a manual swapped '88 GMC Sierra 1500 with a 350. I learned by taking it out for a drive on my own, stalled it many times, but eventually got the hang of it. Now I want to go get a dual sport bike. But because of flight school and owning a car already I don't have a lot of money to play with. Any suggestions on what to buy for cheap?
Christ almighty thank you. I had to keep kickstarting for almost a good hour just to get this loaner bike to start and my legs are sore as hell. Top dead center. Literally was wasting my time. (P.S. not a millenial, just really an older guy new to motorcycles)
Damn millennials... One good thing though... You'll never see a dirt bike with a kick start AND a Hillary sticker on it. Hillary stickers are usually on Africa Twins... Sits back and waits for CDS to take the bait.
I'm 16 just bought a 2009 crf 450r I rode atvs before and yes I know terrible first bike but I love it this is definetly what I needed to help me start it easier
Damn all you old people just reject technology. An electric start/automatic transmission is not a bad thing and It definitely is a nice feature, but I agree that it is not a deal breaker. Plus, you have it backwards. Millennials didn't ruin stick shifts, car manufactures switched to automatics and millennials had no reason to learn a stick because manufacturers offered automatics almost exclusively.
Hermit DaVlog Automatics have been around way before all the millennials. And Don't get me wrong, I love my 5 speed manual '94 GMC Sierra, but I certainly don't hate automatics either and blame shit on younger generations by saying that because we accept technology we ruined everything. Plus, you can still buy stick shifts and kick start bikes, you just have the option to get a different type of tranny or starting system.
i own a 2007 kx250f i'm 14 and i love kick start i hate electric start, kick start has always been way better and way nicer on all bikes i've owned i love the how to video it helped a lot, thank you and keep up the amazing video :D
nicholas danca that is probably best I do a lot of hill climbs and it is annoying to stall or fall and have to kick a flooded bike but none of the smaller bikes I have got have had it
Just bought my first bike, 79 KZ650. One of the deciding factors for the motorcycle was the kick-starter. The newer ones did not have one and to me that just seemed so amazingly wrong.
Hermit DaVlog Just got my second bike (Didnt sell the first), I got myself a 95' XT350, I caught the dual sport bug thanks to one to many of your videos !
Paul Kirk well my suzuki pv50 was standing without any use about 17 years and all i did before start it up first time was clean up carb. And worked perfectly until carburator got full of shit again.
I was born 2005 and I go Manuel all the way I've never used an electric start and love Manuels, I don't follow with millineals. I am only 12 almost 13 and know how to weld. wow that took a while to Wright
+shadetree surgeon Well I can probably buy at least 6 XR250Rs for the price of that magic button, but if you got you a millennial girlfriend who rides a KX, you're probably smarter than me so I'll just shut up now.
+Hermit DaVlog LOL! I still kick it sometimes... Because I know I'm gonna be too cheap to fix the starter when it inevitably takes a crap. In just enjoying it while it lasts. And she's definitely tougher than me!
You don't need any of this information for a 2 stroke. Just crank the throttle a little right as your kicking it, them give it a couple real small quick twists right as it starts to fire. And done. Cold, hot, flooded.
all great tips for the XRs but Yamaha, Suzuki all have there little quirks, but man been riding XRs for about 20 years you are spot on!!!! love the vid laughed my ass off through the whole thing
just bought a wr450f and the battery died and i must have looked so stupid trying to kick-start it hahaha, now I've found this video no more problems cheers!
Hermit! Where are you??? Loved your vids, hope alls well. I have an xr650r, same exact drill. Had an xr350r years ago. Same drill. Hope you get some new content up, always great! May your burrito tube always be full! Ride on!
I’m 25 and grew up on riding kick start, I didn’t know there was anything with an electric start when I was a kid haha, and at 5 I learned how to drive a stick shift in a old beat up s10
nice bike by the way. I have a 1985 XR250R and it's a kick start as well. It can be a pain to start and that's part of the reason I watched this video. great video! keep it up!
Hope it helped. Since I made this I've discovered that when it's been sitting for weeks, 15 wide open throttle kicks can help get it primed before I do the normal cold start routine.
I love my '02 WR250f, while it would be nice to have an electric start, but knowing how it starts is awesome and seemingly more dependable than a battery! Great instructional video, as one of my buddies has the same type of bike and watching him with all those types of starting procedures was all too familiar!!!!
I loved this! I was born 1993 and all my cars are manual, but yet none of my bikes were kick start. I could kick a 2-Stroke easy, but never a 4. Probably because I'm a bit special, but I sure as hell agree with this video wholeheartedly.
I love kick starts only because it’ll almost never break but I just remember the days my dad and I use to ride we always counted down to start them at the same time and go and ride... god I miss those times
thanks! i just got a yz 250 and ive been having trouble starting it lol. my freinds start in one or two kicks.. hopefully these tips help me! (i used to have a 70cc so thia is a well needed upgrade! lol)
Kickstart is fun with smaller bikes, I've got a 1998 Husqvarna 610 TE, 600cc, no e starter, it does start but holy hell what a workout, sometimes I do wish I had an e starter lol
I have had 5 knee surgeries and lost 1/3 of my quadriceps and still love kick start it work wont run out of battery and is very reliable during cold winters of Finland unlike stupid starter bikes that need push start all thw time
Fun video to watch. All my Dirt bikes had kick starters. XS650 Yamaha had kick starter. Harley Davidson Shovelhead Has electric and Kick starter. Now that I am 67 with a bad knee, I use the kick starter when it feels ok.
Hermit the bike whisperer. I do miss having a kick-start, but it was a bit of a SOB on a cb750. Then again after watching this video I probably wasn't doing it right...
You might have already seen in my other videos that the XR400 is my current project. I'm really liking it. It's more picky about starting than the 250 when it has the stock carb. It's easier to start than the 250 with a pumper carb.
My current bike is actually a 83 honda xl250r similar to this bike. Very easy to kick because it has a decompression lever . I have flooded it by dropping it many times and I have found the quickest and painless way to get it going again is to actually shut off the petcock at the gas tank give it a few normal kicks then hold wide open throttle and kick it usually starts very easily no matter how bad I flooded it. I think because I have an accelerator pump carburetor it will drain the excess gas in the float very quickly with the petcock off.
I love bikes you need to kickstart because it’s a challenge learning what each bike prefers when starting. Although if I were racing woods I would want both e start and kickstart, just because when it’s really hot and you lay your bike down on the side of a hill it’s nice to be able to push a button and get going again.
They don't have the leg for it. When I worked at a bike shop recently, I was showing a customer an SR400 (kickstart only). I demonstrated how to start it many times. His leg didn't have the strength or coordination to kick it properly. It was like watching my daughter, when she was five, on her XR50 for the first time. He was a healthy 22 year old. I'm not trying to be insulting to him but he looked pathetic while almost tipping the bike over several times. I think this should be "required reading" for all! Keep it up, HDV!
20 and I should know better by now, I didn't know you had to find Top Dead Center. Spent three+ hours today working on a 93 XR200r kicking the crap out of it after cleaning the carb and changing the oil. No dice. It's been sitting in my dad's unit for years though. Gonna check the valves and go through the carb again.
Hermit DaVlog Well we have spark and we have fuel, maybe too much of it to be honest, and we have a clean airbox. I haven't had a chance to check the valves yet.
I'm laughing so hard right now. I'm barely outside of the millennial marker (born in '89) but I needed this video. Just purchased my first starter bike (Honda CB200) and I just wanted to make sure I wasn't being stupid. Thanks for this and for the laugh.
My 9 year old was trying to kick start my Honda, he's small tho, all his weight couldn't get it to fall at all. He was having fun tho, allot more difficult than I make it look. His quad is electric/Auto but he's already interested in the value of riding manual.
Thanks for this video 👍. I just picked up a 96 XR400 for my first bike, trying to get the bike started after I dumped it was a pain. Friends with the electric start always waiting for me to finish my dance. I will give this a try on my next ride because I’m pretty sure I’m going down again haha. Also will try this cold start method. Also love your info on the mods you did on your XRs. I was looking for a skid plate that fit , im going to look into that plastic one you have on your 400.
It all depends on the person if you ask me. Im 16 i just started driving and have drove both automatic and manual. I personaly like manual better cause it gives me a bettet sense if controll over the car. I also have a 1989 yamaha xt350 enduro bike. When i got it the kick start was snaped off flush with the case. So i got a new shaft opened the case and replaced the old one. Now its the first bike i have ever had to kick start. Mine has a decomp cable that gets pulled when i kick it. I wish i had a lever like yours cause it gets to top dead center and is compressed cause i havent gave it a good kick yet.
thank you for this video. Just got into dirt biking and kicking my bike over has been hit and miss. most of the time i would just try and run down a hill and drop it in gear.
"its so fun starting my kick start when its stalled on a hill of 50 degrees"
Yeah, that will teach you not to stall real fast.
Imagine stalling your bike
Hermit DaVlog I died laughing at that. Yea it’s a on the go teacher
Just bump start it XD
It's more fun stuck in a rut on a hill in the mud.
Everything I own requires manual shifting. My millenial step son never asks to borrow my truck, Jeep or S.U.V. Works out great for me. :)
HA! I don't think I'm going to buy another car without the millennial theft deterent.
Matt Brown Thank god he isn't your own blood. I'd be disappointed with my blood if they didn't drive stick shift.
Matt Brown you should be teaching your step son how to drive a stick! Come on now! Lol
that's actually shame that he can't change gears.
I taught my daughter to drive a stick but I made her use an automatic to test for her license. I don't think she ever drove an automatic again. Next I taught her to power shift and double clutch. She got the hang of it pretty quick. She can even explain why this is not hard on the transmission unless you are stupid and do it like a damn idiot. As you can imagine I'm very proud of her but I do wish she wouldn't show off her advanced skills just to humiliate the poor fellas.
I love kick start it's just nice to have a e start
Yeah, my gripe is with people who look at something like an XR400 and refuse to consider it just because it doesn't have an e-start.
Millenials = Dont drive manual transmissions.
Older Generations = racked up $20,000,000,000,000 in debt they expect Millenials to pay.
haha serves us right
Millennials didn’t build the cars without clutches or bikes without kickstarts. They also didn’t manufacture or hand out the participation trophies that boomers and old gen x’ers complain about. Compassion should belong to every generation.
-A Xennial
World wars are expensive if you didn't know, so enjoy your life. At least you got one some didn't.
@Kyle The Motherfucking Manager honestly that is actually a rather reasonable number. id say a bit on the lower end too.
In my country younger drivers are a lot more likely to buy a manual because it’s a lot more common and cheaper
Honestly I think it'd be cool if all bikes had a kick start as a backup. I got to push start a Intruder 800 today. That was fun... cause I wasn't the one pushing lol.
I agree. I want one on all my bikes.
idk about you but maybe not an 800
My Honda scooter has both, I guess I'm lucky then :D
3:30 "It'll be idling at 1600 degrees" how that's pretty fucking hot 😂😂
Wheelie Will lol
Wheelie Will itd be red hot😂😂
Wheelie Will He meant 160. Lol
He ment rpm tardys
You make electric start sound like it's some terrible thing. Once you're stuck on a steep hill in 100 degree heat sweating your balls off its nice to have a ln electric start. Especially if you are short like I am. Although I agree that to have a bike with no kickstand backup is stupid.
It's not a terrible idea. I just think passing up a kick only bike that's otherwise great is a terrible idea.
I see what your saying but the thing is... if u have electric start and a kickstart. would you rather just push a button or pull the kickstart out and then kick until it starts? I like the kickstart more than electric start. The problem is that people are getting used to electric start and then once companies find out more people like it then they start just adding electric start and not kick start...
I'm not a meleneil but my electric start went out so I needed to kick it today. 2 yrs in and I felt embarrassed not doing it right today. Tired myself out and everything lol. Walked outside after this video and no issues starting it over and over again. Thanks for the video buddy. Its 30 degrees today.
I'm a millennial and I love kickstart and manual transmissions!
Hope you never have to crank a '83 husky CR500 😫
@@mikeandrews1899love firing up old yz490 s and cr500s dude. Nothing more satisfying than kicking the hell out of an old 500.
@@ricgsy7825 kids today bitch about kickstarting a 250f with auto-decompression device 🤷♂️ I think tho , I'd rather kick an 83 husky 500 than a '99 YZ400f 🤣 they kick back like beeeatch
Surprised I have to say this, but E-start is less of a pain in the Ass, that's why many people from all generations prefer it!?!. Kick doesn't make you more of a man, in fact, thinking it does is the mentality of a child... However, kick start isn't as bad as many people think it is so this Video does have a point.
I have bikes with both, so I'm not avoiding e-start bikes, but I have an issue with my friends who won't touch a kicker just because it's a kicker. Never had a kicker need a battery charged or a push start so that's my preference.
E-start bikes are heavier and if your battery die on the trail or something with wiring goes wrong you're stranded
I want a kickstart because I don't want to rely on estart, however id love an estart for the long rides and enduros, kickstarting on a slippery slope is just a slippery slope😕
isnt that what its all about? you gotta know your shit to tackle that, you gotta know your bike and how to start it.
I'm a belt and suspenders kinda person. I want both.
Love this video. I may still be considered a millennial, but damn do I agree with all of this. Manual all the way
Myep. Maybe it's not too late to turn this world around.
Hermit DaVlog Yeah, me too
@Chimney your options are limited but they're definitely out there
I'm a millennial and I own an 87' xr600r. It ain't always fun having that thing kick back but it sure as hell taught me a lot about riding. It's my baby.
Cool bike!
I was born in 2001, and I love having a kick start. It's way more reliable than a bike with a battery.
Absolutely
You are Gen Z. Not a millennial. 1982 - 1996
Hermit DaVlog i was born on the year 2000 and i just love old school and classic bikes. They just have that authenthic motorcycle charm to it. The bike i'll be riding will be a 400cc classic bike that has a kickstart and is carbureted just like the good days. Sportsbikes are awesome and fast, i would like to get my hands on it someday but it lacks soul.
Awesome the video btw, very informative and short. The way that it should be
oh btw just did everything you said and it worked a treat!!!
Awesome. Now I can tell the commenters that are accusing me of giving bad advice to get bent.
Great advise, how I do love the Magic button. But I do wish the DRZ had a kick start for back up. Maybe Ill add one some day.
I agree. It should have one for sure.
Been riding since i was 5 with my whole family. Mom, pop, sister, me. And we had our close group of really good family friends who were all also riders. Went out every so often with the trailers and bikes, had our weekends out in the deserts. Were the best times of my life.
But since i was so young, i wasnt strong enough to kickstart my little CRF50, so my dad always had to do it for me. But id always give it a solid few goes before i finally let my dad do it. And i remember the day that i had finally kickstarted my bike for the first time. Remember visually where we were and everything. We went out for the weekend, and on a ride together we stopped outside a local track to watch the riders. And once we decided we had our fills, i had to start my bike since we were sitting there. So after 3 good kicks i managed to turn her over, turn around and ride away. But it was one of the best feelings ever for little 5 year old me. Had some of the best times of my life out on two wheels in the desert with some great friends. I'd give anything to have that again.
Sounds like an awesome family.
Your camera girl is awesome steady as out with the camera no shacks or put
Hmm, hadn't noticed, but thanks.
I own an older style MX bike with only a kick start, I know how to start pretty much any bike easy or stubborn...yet I find myself entertained as if it was day 1 all over again.
I've already watched this video half a dozen times, probably my favorite video from you so far! This is incredibly useful information and the video quality is excellent. I'll make sure to make sure to share it with anyone who's interested.
Oh, btw you posted this video the same day I looked at a kickstart bike for sale. Why do you tempt me??
Do it!
After three hours of racing through the deserts of Tucson Arizona at 109°F electric start is a must have...
Well you got me there. Not the same as putting around in the woods for sure.
HEY, all of us are not bad.
Who raised us? yeah YOU DID, the ones complaining about it.
Anyways,
Got a 92 xr600r and you gotta use your whole body to start her, of course it get easier once you get use to it. I like the kickstarter because it is more reliable (xrs are already know to be rock solid) and it saves a bit on weight, which seems redundant on the 600 because its a heavy bike already.
You're right. We should get rid of the millennials and get a do over.
HFK!!!!!
I have a dr350 and i cannot kickstart it for the life of me. Last bit seemed pretty useful. Ill try to give that a shot since I transported the bike on it side
I was born in 93 and I don't fuck with any thing automatic
Keep on keepin' on.
jake hanzvik same but 92
I was born 2000 and all I have is a manual bikes iv got a 2010 crf with a k kick start and it easiest thing to start
matty d I was born in 96, my truck is manual, and my bike is a kick start. Not sure what you're on about.
matty d I was born in 97'. I only have old wood and metal guns, Bike without computers that are carburated and kickstart. Most of my bike and ATV's were 1980's bikes. That's what I grew up on. I don't like computers or automatic transmission because they are bullshit and people who use them are cancer. I was suppose to buy a new dirt bike for the first time in my entire life but they're all with this fancy launch control and stuff that makes me sick to look at and they don't make dual sports like they use to either. I really want a Honda steel frame and engine dual sport that's at least 400cc but they don't make them anymore. Just the 650 but I want something like an XR400 or XR500. I'd settle for a 250 but it's fuel injected and doesn't have a kick start. Then I thought I'd try Yamaha but same shit so now I'm just gonna settle for a DR-Z400 Suzuki. The DR-Z is perfect, carburated and kick start conversion kit isn't to hard to install I hear.
Your XR250 looks great with those graphics and the rear fender. I'm thinking about doing mine with a similar look. I have a '99 XR250R, really, really great bikes!
Thanks! In case you didn't catch this one here's details on the XR250 makeover th-cam.com/video/KMHSpkhegRU/w-d-xo.html
Hermit DaVlog , cool, thanks for the link I'll check it out 👍
I guess I'm a millennial and my first bike was kick start only. Hell of a lot easier than dealing with my faulty starter that I have now
Boom. That's exactly what I've been trying to tell my friends.
Yet he gets all pissy when I press my thumb and magically Xena starts.....every....single....time......
Thanks for the help. Subscribed. Now I'll go see if you did any on tuning the carb. I have a 2003 XR400 with a brand new Mukuni T36 and it becomes fussy to start after warming up. Cheers.
For when it's flooded I turn of the gas and put it on it's side, it flows out the overflow tube
Hmmm, interesting.
A starting sequence is like foreplay, don't do it right and you ain't going riding ;) Another trick for a flooded motor is to lean the bike over and drain the excess fuel from the carb to kick loose the float bowl. Great video bro! I feel uneasy riding a bike without a kicker.
"Foreplay" HA!
Lmao I’m a gen z and no kick start is a deal breaker for me 😂
Same
I loved the E ride start comment! It's true, the other day I was thinking about replacing my Pathfinder but it's almost impossible to find a vehicle with a manual transmission. I've already switched my Mustang and Camaro from auto to manual transmissions my next project is a five speed swap in my motorhome.
I didn't realize that my WR 250 R didn't have a kickstart until after I bought it.
I'm going back to old-school. The XR your riding is awesome !
Thanks for the info man!
Sure thing.
Got a '98 XR250R that is hard to start cold. This video has given me some ideas, thank you
Says its easy yet he is out of breath the whole video. Kick starts belong on 2 strokes.
Maybe being in full motorbike gear and a helmet is really hot
Or DRs
I race dirt bikes, and I love the kick starts. When you first kick a bike in it's so satisfying. E starts are boring.
I agree.
I'm a millenial and millenials annoy me. I've only ever owned manual cars. I learned on a manual swapped '88 GMC Sierra 1500 with a 350. I learned by taking it out for a drive on my own, stalled it many times, but eventually got the hang of it. Now I want to go get a dual sport bike. But because of flight school and owning a car already I don't have a lot of money to play with. Any suggestions on what to buy for cheap?
03 or newer DRZs or XRs. 99 and newer XR400. I don't if the year matters much on the other XRs.
Thanks man
Christ almighty thank you. I had to keep kickstarting for almost a good hour just to get this loaner bike to start and my legs are sore as hell. Top dead center. Literally was wasting my time. (P.S. not a millenial, just really an older guy new to motorcycles)
Yep, been there. Glad I could help.
I was born in 02 and I have only driven with a kick start
Good. Keep it up.
Ely Soloha what a pw50
First a crf80f then a xr200r
Ely Soloha aye that's sweet man
Ely Soloha i have a sherco 2014 and it starts evry kick cold or hot,but when its floded?? I could kick allnight and day and it wouldnt start
God I love the old XR sound takes me back to better days
Damn millennials... One good thing though... You'll never see a dirt bike with a kick start AND a Hillary sticker on it. Hillary stickers are usually on Africa Twins...
Sits back and waits for CDS to take the bait.
OHHHHHH! That was rich!
Ouch............
Hermit DaVlog how do you get your xr 400 to start easy mine takes at least 10-15 minutes to start
AZ Patriot lol I don't have problems with kick starts and funny thing is I'm a beginner I guess people are just lazy in general
Chase Livingstone same process. choke on, find top dead center, kick
I'm 16 just bought a 2009 crf 450r I rode atvs before and yes I know terrible first bike but I love it this is definetly what I needed to help me start it easier
Damn all you old people just reject technology. An electric start/automatic transmission is not a bad thing and It definitely is a nice feature, but I agree that it is not a deal breaker. Plus, you have it backwards. Millennials didn't ruin stick shifts, car manufactures switched to automatics and millennials had no reason to learn a stick because manufacturers offered automatics almost exclusively.
Nah, nah nah. If people preferred to buy stick shifts the manufactures would still be selling stick shifts.
Hermit DaVlog Automatics have been around way before all the millennials. And Don't get me wrong, I love my 5 speed manual '94 GMC Sierra, but I certainly don't hate automatics either and blame shit on younger generations by saying that because we accept technology we ruined everything. Plus, you can still buy stick shifts and kick start bikes, you just have the option to get a different type of tranny or starting system.
th-cam.com/video/7WUlE0VCCj0/w-d-xo.html
poor kid. even your reasoning is disturbingly twisted. please get off dads boat and swim for the fish
Man Hermit you are really making me miss my KLR250. So many great memories of teaching my loser friends how to kick it....
You should get another one. They're cheap and fun. BTW thanks for teaching me how to kick it hot.
honestly after riding the XR I'd get one of those, awesome little bike really. Who'd have figured a millennial tought you how to kick a hot bike....
And I wish everything had a stick shift.
Me too.
I drive a Dodge diesel with a six speed and it's better than an auto for everything except maybe rush hour.
+lifewithlurch that's false that they suck for towing and you can't make them that fast
lifewithlurch There are rumors about a new Toyota Supra, it's gonna be a hybrid, probably gonna be automatic too... it's depressing
lifewithlurch I don't. Last thing we need is teenage girls rolling into people lol
i own a 2007 kx250f i'm 14 and i love kick start i hate electric start, kick start has always been way better and way nicer on all bikes i've owned i love the how to video it helped a lot, thank you and keep up the amazing video :D
My bike has both electric and kick
That's the best.
nicholas danca I never use electric at all. I only use it on my ATC250 because the kick starter stripped
nicholas danca that is probably best I do a lot of hill climbs and it is annoying to stall or fall and have to kick a flooded bike but none of the smaller bikes I have got have had it
Just bought my first bike, 79 KZ650. One of the deciding factors for the motorcycle was the kick-starter. The newer ones did not have one and to me that just seemed so amazingly wrong.
I know, right?
Hermit DaVlog Just got my second bike (Didnt sell the first), I got myself a 95' XT350, I caught the dual sport bug thanks to one to many of your videos !
I'm 14 considered "millennial" and I drove stick shift, and bikes, I know all about 2-strokes, and have a good taste in car mods
Thank you for representing. You might actually be considered the "I-Gen" though.
I-gen? what does that mean?
how very ironic i googled it
You're gen x. Millenial is 1977-1994.
Been having trouble with my 525, this oughta save me some hassle. Thanks for the good tips!
Sure thing. Make sure the carb is tuned. That still bikes me sometimes. Had to pull a carb last weekend to figure out that the floats were stuck.
I haven't started my bike in a long time can someone please help ME!!!
No.
please
lol don't be like me, turn the gas on before you start it. and the killswitch
If it's been 3 or more years I heard it's good to put a table spoon of oil in the cylinder before trying to start.
Paul Kirk well my suzuki pv50 was standing without any use about 17 years and all i did before start it up first time was clean up carb. And worked perfectly until carburator got full of shit again.
I was born 2005 and I go Manuel all the way I've never used an electric start and love Manuels, I don't follow with millineals. I am only 12 almost 13 and know how to weld. wow that took a while to Wright
Any love for Juan’s and Jose’s?
I'm seventeen and I can't stand electric start
Your parents have done a good job with you.
I'll be sure to tell them...
ScottRidesHonda me too lol it looks so gay
Electric start is amazing thing in some situations
Having both is best but kickstart over no kickstarter always!
I found that holding the throttle wide open and kicking it while its flooded really helped start it.
Awesome!
I'm generation x and I love the button on my 300xcw... But my millennial girlfriend never complains about kicking her KX. ;)
+shadetree surgeon Well I can probably buy at least 6 XR250Rs for the price of that magic button, but if you got you a millennial girlfriend who rides a KX, you're probably smarter than me so I'll just shut up now.
+Hermit DaVlog LOL! I still kick it sometimes... Because I know I'm gonna be too cheap to fix the starter when it inevitably takes a crap. In just enjoying it while it lasts. And she's definitely tougher than me!
I wish my DRZ/SM had a kick . Thanx for the tips.
There's a kit for it. Pretty tempting.
my bike doesn't even have a choke or a decompression valve, so what should I do instead?
Squats
what bike do you have?
I'm a Millennial and every car, bike, or quad i've ever owned was a manual and or kick start :) that's a good sounding 250!
Stopped watching once he said the V word lol.
nothing wrong with 4-strokes just none of the information in the video crosses over to 2-strokes.
Fair enough
Jason Henderson Use to have a 1988 CR125. Was a nice bike but needed a 250 so i sold it and never ended up getting a 250 lol
waht fucking V word??? Vagina??? the hell?
You don't need any of this information for a 2 stroke. Just crank the throttle a little right as your kicking it, them give it a couple real small quick twists right as it starts to fire. And done. Cold, hot, flooded.
What "v" word? Vistened vo vhe vhole video vnd vo "v" vnything...
all great tips for the XRs but Yamaha, Suzuki all have there little quirks, but man been riding XRs for about 20 years you are spot on!!!! love the vid laughed my ass off through the whole thing
Bahahaha! Keep it up.
Thanks!
Great video!! Thanks I just pickup a 1996 XR250R. Ready to go.
slow down I didn't hear a damn word you said
th-cam.com/video/vLcYtA4-H60/w-d-xo.html
Hermit DaVlog lol
just bought a wr450f and the battery died and i must have looked so stupid trying to kick-start it hahaha, now I've found this video no more problems cheers!
Awesome! Glad I could help.
Apparently I've been missing out on some Hermit videos. Great info though man. I didn't know the flooded bike trick.
I wouldn't say you're "missing" them.
Man I'd love to have my XR250 set up as nicely as yours is. Very nice bro.
Thanks!
I was so reluctant to click that title but turned out to be an excellent video, thanks for making 👍
Hermit! Where are you??? Loved your vids, hope alls well. I have an xr650r, same exact drill. Had an xr350r years ago. Same drill. Hope you get some new content up, always great! May your burrito tube always be full! Ride on!
I’m 25 and grew up on riding kick start, I didn’t know there was anything with an electric start when I was a kid haha, and at 5 I learned how to drive a stick shift in a old beat up s10
nice bike by the way. I have a 1985 XR250R and it's a kick start as well. It can be a pain to start and that's part of the reason I watched this video. great video! keep it up!
Hope it helped. Since I made this I've discovered that when it's been sitting for weeks, 15 wide open throttle kicks can help get it primed before I do the normal cold start routine.
thanks for the extra help!
Gunslingergaming nice I've got a 96
nice xr250 rf I've got an re 200 with the older 2 valve motor in it and its awesome
LMAO! Never would have thought this video would do this well. Apparently Millennials get pretty butt hut when you joke about them. Good job Hermit
Thanks, man.
I love my '02 WR250f, while it would be nice to have an electric start, but knowing how it starts is awesome and seemingly more dependable than a battery! Great instructional video, as one of my buddies has the same type of bike and watching him with all those types of starting procedures was all too familiar!!!!
Yep. The full throttle two kicks then no throttle kick is a handy little trick.
I just bought an 85 XL600R.
It is a beast to start.
I loved this! I was born 1993 and all my cars are manual, but yet none of my bikes were kick start. I could kick a 2-Stroke easy, but never a 4. Probably because I'm a bit special, but I sure as hell agree with this video wholeheartedly.
I love kick starts only because it’ll almost never break but I just remember the days my dad and I use to ride we always counted down to start them at the same time and go and ride... god I miss those times
thanks! i just got a yz 250 and ive been having trouble starting it lol. my freinds start in one or two kicks.. hopefully these tips help me! (i used to have a 70cc so thia is a well needed upgrade! lol)
Make sure the carb is tuned too. Good luck!
Kickstart is fun with smaller bikes, I've got a 1998 Husqvarna 610 TE, 600cc, no e starter, it does start but holy hell what a workout, sometimes I do wish I had an e starter lol
I have had 5 knee surgeries and lost 1/3 of my quadriceps and still love kick start it work wont run out of battery and is very reliable during cold winters of Finland unlike stupid starter bikes that need push start all thw time
Love the portion on manual cars I own a kick start scooter and a manual car and picking up a Suzuki Gs500e Friday
That flooded start was a handy one to know! Thanks for the video :)
Whachyou talkin about Willis?
Fun video to watch. All my Dirt bikes had kick starters. XS650 Yamaha had kick starter. Harley Davidson Shovelhead Has electric and Kick starter. Now that I am 67 with a bad knee, I use the kick starter when it feels ok.
Hermit the bike whisperer. I do miss having a kick-start, but it was a bit of a SOB on a cb750. Then again after watching this video I probably wasn't doing it right...
CB750 kicker? Ouch!
Thank you friend! It´s the best video procedure how to kick start a Honda Xr250r. all your tips really helpme a lot.
Ayyyy i got it in 2 kicks after that 15 compressor lever trick! Thank u. Im so excited i can finally ride!!
Thanks for the tips! I'm just about to pick up an XR400 so it's appreciated.
You might have already seen in my other videos that the XR400 is my current project. I'm really liking it. It's more picky about starting than the 250 when it has the stock carb. It's easier to start than the 250 with a pumper carb.
Great video love old school bikes with kick start and carbs. But were is the E-Ticket ride
I'm getting to it.
My current bike is actually a 83 honda xl250r similar to this bike. Very easy to kick because it has a decompression lever . I have flooded it by dropping it many times and I have found the quickest and painless way to get it going again is to actually shut off the petcock at the gas tank give it a few normal kicks then hold wide open throttle and kick it usually starts very easily no matter how bad I flooded it. I think because I have an accelerator pump carburetor it will drain the excess gas in the float very quickly with the petcock off.
I love bikes you need to kickstart because it’s a challenge learning what each bike prefers when starting. Although if I were racing woods I would want both e start and kickstart, just because when it’s really hot and you lay your bike down on the side of a hill it’s nice to be able to push a button and get going again.
They don't have the leg for it.
When I worked at a bike shop recently, I was showing a customer an SR400 (kickstart only). I demonstrated how to start it many times. His leg didn't have the strength or coordination to kick it properly. It was like watching my daughter, when she was five, on her XR50 for the first time. He was a healthy 22 year old. I'm not trying to be insulting to him but he looked pathetic while almost tipping the bike over several times.
I think this should be "required reading" for all!
Keep it up, HDV!
We all need to save the males!
Thanks for the advice. I've never had the opportunity to kick start a bike. If it happens, i'll be prepared.
Awesome! That's why I'm here!
thanks, didnt know the tuning and jetting affected how easy it is to start
Absolutely
20 and I should know better by now, I didn't know you had to find Top Dead Center. Spent three+ hours today working on a 93 XR200r kicking the crap out of it after cleaning the carb and changing the oil. No dice. It's been sitting in my dad's unit for years though. Gonna check the valves and go through the carb again.
Sounds like a tough project. When it comes down to it though it's just three things though right? Fuel, Air, Spark.
Hermit DaVlog Well we have spark and we have fuel, maybe too much of it to be honest, and we have a clean airbox. I haven't had a chance to check the valves yet.
Im 18 and have a stick shift truck and 83 honda xl600 dirtbike and i love both
Really nice little Xr
Man you helped me a lot there is no videos on starting when fluded
I'm laughing so hard right now. I'm barely outside of the millennial marker (born in '89) but I needed this video. Just purchased my first starter bike (Honda CB200) and I just wanted to make sure I wasn't being stupid. Thanks for this and for the laugh.
My 9 year old was trying to kick start my Honda, he's small tho, all his weight couldn't get it to fall at all. He was having fun tho, allot more difficult than I make it look. His quad is electric/Auto but he's already interested in the value of riding manual.
That's awesome. Keep raising 'em right.
Thanks for this video 👍. I just picked up a 96 XR400 for my first bike, trying to get the bike started after I dumped it was a pain. Friends with the electric start always waiting for me to finish my dance. I will give this a try on my next ride because I’m pretty sure I’m going down again haha. Also will try this cold start method.
Also love your info on the mods you did on your XRs. I was looking for a skid plate that fit , im going to look into that plastic one you have on your 400.
It all depends on the person if you ask me. Im 16 i just started driving and have drove both automatic and manual. I personaly like manual better cause it gives me a bettet sense if controll over the car. I also have a 1989 yamaha xt350 enduro bike. When i got it the kick start was snaped off flush with the case. So i got a new shaft opened the case and replaced the old one. Now its the first bike i have ever had to kick start. Mine has a decomp cable that gets pulled when i kick it. I wish i had a lever like yours cause it gets to top dead center and is compressed cause i havent gave it a good kick yet.
There's hope for us yet. Keep it up.
The EveRide start... LOL! Great video Hermit!
+Rick Koehler Thanks!
second that LOL
thank you for this video. Just got into dirt biking and kicking my bike over has been hit and miss. most of the time i would just try and run down a hill and drop it in gear.
Thanks. Hope it helps.
Me too
We miss you hermit.. keep vlogging