I've got a 1979 SR500. I love it & not having electric start is like having anti theft protection as most people would not be able to start it. Plus the added bonus that it might attack them if it kicks back !
As an XT500 owner, I laughed hard at this... (having the same power plant) Especially having learned the proper starting technique the hard way on an abused old clunker that wasn't properly tuned and stood in some barn for 20 odd years. It kicked back more than it aught to, kick indicator was sealed with epoxy, and the timing was a fair bit off. Took trial and error and a fair bit of flailing to get running at first. Now, starts firts kick cold (not counting the two kicks with ignition off to prime it) It is certainly not a bike you just swing a leg over and kick randomly, and is all to happy to kick your ass if you try to kick it with any throttle whatsoever. Bumping the idle up for cold conditions is done with the white thingy on the idle adjustment screw, ironically called a "hot start" button. Well with all that being said, I got it for $130, started same day, smoked a bit when warm, but pulled plenty strong. Spent about a grand to get it as it is now. Looks and runs great, and always puts a smile on my face assuming I get time to ride it.
Couldn't believe that someone brought out a video on the kick starter on modern bikes.. Kudos to you.. Just when i decided to ditch the all new 2021 Royal Enfield Classic 350 & get a sparingly used 2019 model Royal Enfield Std 350 Bullet with ES, (the last of the RE s with a kick starter).. Got to admit that the ES (Electric Start) is useful to get moving from traffic lights & engine stall.. But to kick start a Bullet in the morning is better than the best coffee,i would say..
I had honda cd roadmaster 200 cc which had both electric and kick start, when i kicked start the bike the bike used to produce more powerful sound then from the e start, didn,t liked to use e start except the situations you mentioned
My brother in law has a 750 Norton Commando (as do I) and one time recently he was about to leave a popular cafe stop in the hills and while kickstarting his bike he heard voice from some patron call out “what the hell is he doing”. Someone had never seen a bike being kickstarted before.
Writing "electric start" on the side covers is itself a retro feature. It was typical in the 60s and 70s to announce that your bike had push button start in addition to a kickstarter. Sym is just being thoroughly authentic. Kickstart lever stashed under the seat, that was definitely a thing in the mid-to-late 70s. When manufacturers moved towards electric start only, many riders (myself included) didn't trust them, so some motorcycles had a kickstart lever stashed under the seat that could be fitted to a spline in the usual position. From memory, this was the case with the earliest generation of Honda Gold Wings and some Kawasakis. AJS and Janus both use Chinese engines, in fact AJS *is* a Chinese bike. Copying Japanese engines is not in itself a guarantee of reliability because it says nothing about the quality of the components being used. Many Chinese engines are well-made and reliable while others are thoroughly mediocre.
Very nice ! Love the kickstart !! There is something fun about using your foot to bring it to life! So much more satisfying than pushing a button to start up! Enjoy the challenge to kick a motorcycle into life!!
I have an '08 Ural Patrol. A couple of years ago I actually won a cold start (kickstart only) race at a local rally. I love the fun and uniqueness of the Patrol, but I wouldn't want to pay today's price for one.
I agree, more bikes should have a kickstart option. Also I think more new bikes should have a centre stand. Makes wrenching much more convenient. Nice selection of retro bikes. 👍 Thanks. 🏍🇨🇦
Since the kick start lever has been dropped, I have had a few times that I wished that I could of beat the engineer or designer over the head with a kick start lever. If the battery is down or the engine overly warm, or flooded, the kick start was the way to start readily and be back on the road. Push starting is not a fun alternative with most of today's bikes.
@@dave6467 Doing a running bump start of my smaller bikes I had when younger wasn't a problem. Trying to do a bump start of a Harley Ultra in my seventies is not anything I even want to try. And if you had ever hand cranked a larger engine, such as in a car, you would know that was a far bigger undertaking than a kick start on a bike. Although the old John Deere tractors were not that bad to start using the flywheel.
For a lot of bikes, particularly Japanese, the switch to electronic ignition negated the usefulness of a kickstart. The electronic ignitions required decent voltage in order to fire with the right timing. This has changed, but when electronic ignition was new, it was different. The Boyer on one of my Nortons requires a good battery to kick start. Before I switched from points, I ran a dead battery for literally a few years. The other still has points.
I'll add the CSC SG250 to the list, has both electric and kickstart. One of the many, many bikes out of China using the old Honda CG125 motor increased to 229cc. Had one for a year as a city bike and backroad bike, not setting any sort of speed records out of 16hp but the featherweight size and the mechanical simplicity made it a fun bike to tinker on and blast around town on. Very much a "slow bike fast" sort of machine
Love the looks of Janus bikes, especially the Halcyon. The new 450 doesn't have kickstarter! Such a shame. Lack of kickstarter on a bike design like a Halcyon is a deal breaker. I've got a SR400 so I'm pretty adamant about kickstarters.
I doubt there are issues with the starter or battery any more than any other motorcycle. The 250 engine that Janus uses is used in millions of other motorcycle and other applications, including dirt bikes, and just comes with a kickstarter.
Mostly because a bike designed after a 1920-1930 aesthetic should have a kickstarter. Heck, I'd go as far to say it shouldn't have an electric starter but I won't begrudge folks their luxuries. Keep in mind, I ride an SR400. They are kickstart only. I can be overly fanatical with period correctness.
@@jasonlassen7599 Bikes like the new (so-called) BSA and the Triumph Bobber are just overstyled contrived fakes and now you're saying even the starting mechanism should be contrived too, all for the benefit of styling? Doesn't that just make the whole fake-classic thing even more laughable? Next, people will be asking for a built-in oil (leak) dispensor.
Idk about other countries but here in india you can get a Royal Enfield bullet standard 350 which is a different variation of the classic 350 it comes with only a kickstart and is still in production!... it's also a lot cheaper.
BTW, your love of the T100 amazed me. I had a '60 5TA bobber I built,and I weighed 220 lbs in the mid 90's. I had it to 95mph,it needed a 5th gear. I miss it.
I'm probably wrong, but If i remember correctly, royal enfield still makes bullets till date (dont confuse with classics) and they come in two variants, one with just a kick start, and one with both electronic and kick.
The RE500 Bullet and Bullet-Classic (500-EFI model variation), which apart from a short period always had kick starters, have been discontinued, out of production. Likewise the 535-CGT. They have also had electric start for a long time now. The RE350 Bullet is being replaced with the RE350 Meteor which does not have a kickstart. Nor does the Himalayan nor the RE650. Where the 350 are plodders the 500 makes up for its lack of hp with a good helping of torque and a long power band.
70’s Goldwings had removable kickstarters. They were stored inside the false fuel tank in case the battery was dead and the electric start couldn’t be used.
I had an AJS back in the nineteen sixties, single cylinder 350cc, leaked oil like a sieve from the primary chain case but it did have a kick starter but no electric starter. Lots of teenage fun. I've got a modern retro 650cc Enfield twin now, still leaks oil a little bit, no kick starter. A little while ago the electric start failed and I had to push it home (only about 40 yards fortunately). The starter started working again after I unplugged the starter relay (the small low current relay that brings in the relay that handles the full starter current) and plugged it back in again. I could have done with a kick starter then.
Bro,u missed out Royal Enfield Bullet 350 that comes with only kick option,both option and only E.Start option as well and are still in production.And it looks same as Classic 500 other than its parallel seat and tail light which is even retro I guess.
I had a Harley 45, my only vehicle, only had kick starter, just off active duty infantry, you had to be fit to kick in the winter in the Midwest, loved that bike, good workout on winter mornings, always started, was quite a workout, wonder if the BSA Goldstar has a kick starter, would love one of those
The RE500 just needs a lazy prod to end of travel, not a strong kick (4:50). If you're leaping on it, you're doing it wrong. Similar weight to the SR400, same power but a lot more torque much lower down, with a wider spread.
1970s motorcycles Many had kick starter's and I loved them you could kick start your motorcycle even if it had a dead battery without having to bump start running the motorcycle down the street balancing it and jumping on all the while with the clutch pulled in. After you jumped on the motorcycle you pushed rolling down the street jumping on the seat and popping the clutch while still rolling hopefully you didn't forget to have the engine electricronics in the on run position. So after you popped the clutch with it moving it would Pop into life and you pulled the clutch in again and revved the engine to make sure it was started. Often after the engine was running the generator usually would charge the battery for your electric starting. So you'd drive ride wherever you were going ir else run it for a while and charge the battery. Kick starter's eliminated pushing it down the street hopefully you wouldn't push it to the other side and down onto the ground or asphalt street. I've started motorcycles every which way and my preference has always been to have Both an electric and kick starter. Preferably on a multi cylinder motorcycle. 2, 3, or 4 cylinder motorcycle.
I had a 1980 Yamaha XS 850 3 cyl. with both kick and electric. It was great having that kick starter. Without a kick starter if a battery is weak you're stranded. The electric would struggle to start the bike in cold weather, and usually not at all, but he kick starter always did the job. Currently I have a 2011 Ural Gear Up sidecar motorcycle with both kick and electric start. It's probably the only bike still having both. However it is not a motorcycle I would recommend these day mostly because they are outrageously overpriced, but my little shaggy doodle dog Poppy- now deceased- absolutely loved it. Poppy and i had tons of adventures and fun on that bike. I sure miss her, my best pal.
Love your video! Just got myself a new SYM Husky Classic 125 cc. These are the successors of the SYM Wolf Classic 150 in your video. A very good looking, reliable and affordable classic bike from Taiwan
Big Janice fan and I will own one someday for sure. Little more expensive but when you consider the depreciation of most bikes and the money put into maintenance of other bikes. Then the value is arguably similar.
Sadly, the SR400 and Ural have EFI, which I want no part of. AJS bikes are not available in the U.S. Janus bikes are super expensive, and have CHINESE engines. No thanks. I have a 2013 Royal Enfield B5 Bullet (not the Classic, it looks a lot more like the older Bullets) It has a kickstarter. It came with EFI and a catalytic converter exhaust, which I quickly trashed are replaced with an Amal carburetor using a kit from Hitchcocks in the UK. I also replaced that disgusting exhaust with an aftermarket unit with no cat con in it, also from Hitchcocks. It now runs and sounds great. I have put over 14K miles on it since I bought it in 2013. Unfortunately the newer RE Classics cannot be converted to a carburetor, so I have no interest in those. As for finding women with a bike, you will need a Harley, at least in the U.S. I have two, both carbureted with EVO engines. But being an older guy, the only way I am going to attract women, at least attractive women, would be to be rich.
A lot of old tech is still alive and well in small displacement bikes for the third world market... Pretty much every popular bike and scooter here has a kick start option just in case. Drum brakes and Carbs are still pretty common on new models too :)
The SR400 looks old, but the SRV400 looks old GP. If you want a retro, go the SRV! In the West SYM may be known for scooters, but in Asia they still pump out kick-start 150 (and 125) singles under their original name, Sanyang.
Is that like having a crank handle on the front of cars? I actually have a 1981 Kz 550 ltd. I wish it had a kick start. Not only for looks but as I don't ride it that often, the battery can be lazy.
i would take a carbureted, kickstarted bike with a magneto and no battery over anything that relys on battery power, i have had so many electric starts fail and had to resort to push starting out in the middle of buttfuck nowhere, id rather be able to start my bike as long as it has gas in it than have to keep popping the clutch for up to a half mile before i can even hop on.
Suzuki drz400 s or drz400 sm and $220.00 Suzuki kick start conversion kit. Will out perform any of the motorcycles on this list and is indestructible with 20 years of production!. You won't be disappointed.
Honestly, aside from the engine the SR400 doesn't look any different from the '79 XS400 I had many moons ago (2nd owner, bought it in '83). Great little bike and I regret having sold it!
Ural has greatly improved their sidecar motorcycles from 2014 on. Buyer beware older Ural's, especially when milage is over or at 10,000 miles. If you really want a Ural do not buy a 2 wheel drive model. The Dealer will try to convince you to spend more money for 2WD, which you will rarely use if ever at all. If you do use it off road it greatly impacts steering which will cause you problems. Save your money and buy a winch or simple cable type come-along and strong rope. Even when 2WD is disengaged and riding on pavement the constantly turning drive shaft connected to the sidecar wheel causes odd steering in turns even more than just having an attached sidecar. The single wheel drive CT model costs less, is faster, gets better fuel mileage, and steering becomes predictable and is always the same. That said, Ural motorcycles are very easy to work on so if you do your own automotive repair you will have no problems repairing or rebuilding everything on a Ural motorcycle.
Thanks for that info, that's helpful! No hate, I just think they're a bit pricey and I've heard the quality isn't great for what you're spending. Have you owned quite a few?
@@bartmotorcycle I work on them for several owners in my area. After I rebuilt my antique Dnepr sidecar motorcycle they stopped me and asked if I could work on their bike's. Ural motorcycles were built for civilians while the very similar looking Dnepr Motorcycle was built for military use which greatly increases production costs. At first they thought I was on a Ural but quickly realized it was not that and it had Soviet Union military badges on the gas tank and imprinted on the rubber fender flaps. I rebuilt one Ural engine for one of them and did some modifications on the engine in the other Ural to prevent the rear crankshaft bearing being damaged by too little oil flowing to it. That's a design issue that was corrected in 2014 and later models. Dnepr engines are completely different and use a completely different engine oil system design. The Ural oil pump simply moves oil up into the engine where it can be channeled to bearings and sling into the Pistons. Dnepr engines have a high pressure 6 bar (86 psi) forced oiling system. It also uses a centrifuge oil filter similar to the filters used in diesel tractor trailer engines that keep the oil perfectly clean between changes.
I have an older Ural a 1998 and a half it has been extremely reliable and I don't have to suffer any of the problems the newer bikes have the kickstarter is great to show Harley Riders how to start a real motorcycle all of my Britt stuff none of them have an electric starter electric starters are for lazy people keep your bike tuned and your bike regardless of the brand will be a 1 or two starter
Hi, bart.Thank you for your videos. What is the name of an English manufacturer of motorcycles that are similar to Janus? I saw your video in which you talked about this English brand. It's a small company. The grandson revived production after his grandfather. I apologize for the bad English.
I would have loved an SR400 when I was still riding as it is the closest thing to my favorite bike of all time the XS 650, Unfortunately with it only having a kick start and my health problem I could not have started it if I had one, Is it possible to do a video on the XS 650 one day Bart ?
Having a kick starter is great in case of a flat battery and for the fun , and the feeling of accomplishment, of being able to start your bike with a kick . FYI It's not recommended to do it wearing ,thongs Aussie here, flip flops as you can lose a sheet or two of skin from under your foot ( don't ask me how I know).
Just FYI, not all of the Janus bikes have kickstarters. I don’t think the current Halcyon 450 has one. I think I did see a kickstarter on the Halcyon 250 though, and maybe some of the earlier models had them…but looking at their web site, I’m not sure it’s there. And I agree, I love kickstarters also and they will attract old men before young hotties! 😩
The only reason I have a Ural is I bought it off of someone who didn't want to fix it anymore for $1000.😆Lots of expensive upgrades later, and now I have a slightly less crappy bike that's also dependable. Also good for turning heads while riding in the snow.
I'm here wondering if my 2015 yamaha sr400 is on the list. Kick start only. Not disappointed I Paid $3,500, almost tradein value! 7,500 miles on clock. Also has a quicker sprocket and windscreen. This bike hasn't changed since it was first developed in 1978. Accept the fuel injection.
I was given another kickstart motorcycle by my neighbor yesterday. A 1975 honda gl1000.... 1st year of the goldwing. This bike is gonna be nuts. Only 27k and 1 previous owner. Just need to rebuild the carburetors. 😊
Being european it somehow puts me down seeing all these great looking bikes that won't be available over here because new carburetors aren't allowed here anymore... btw: I have a Ural. Yes, they are kind of expensive but still worth every penny. 🙂 They are sidecars and designed to be that. There isn't much else to choose from and what there is doesn't exactly outperform the ural both in terms of priceworthyness or quality
Kickstart for bikes is like the manual transmission of cars. It's a slowly dying artform. By the way, SR400 isn't the only one without an electric start, my 2014 Royal Enfield Bullet 350 only has a kickstart.
Kickstart on the SR400 is an absolute nightmare. There really should be a button start option as well. I agree the kickstart looks way cooler and gets the chicks to look but I’m not trying to be late to work by Mule kicking the crap outta my SR400 till my shirt is drenched in sweat. It’s not rad at all!
something must be wrong with your technique because mine starts in 1 or 2 kicks every time. first time I started took like 20 kicks, and for the first couple months riding it I did need more like 3 kicks to get it going though
If you want to attract women with a motorcycle attach a sidecar to the motorcycle. I didn't know about that aspect after rebuilding an antique Soviet Union KMZ Dnepr military sidecar motorcycle. The sidecar cover it came with had shrunk and was not usable. I didn't think driving around with an empty, uncovered sidecar would be a problem. While stopped at a Red Light a woman jumped into my sidecar and refused to get out until I took her for a short ride. When she got out she left her name and number with O'and X's implying an extra good time if I called her. They will also come up and talk to you when you park the bike with some getting "aggressive". I asked one of those women what was the attraction with the sidecar motorcycle. She explained that romance novels regularly have stories of women meeting a Biker with a sidecar motorcycle and riding off with him on a romantic adventure in the sidecar.
I have the yamahasr400! Its a great bike but took me a long time to be able to kick start it by myself. But I am a pretty small girl so I wasn't to suprised.
I've got a 1979 SR500. I love it & not having electric start is like having anti theft protection as most people would not be able to start it. Plus the added bonus that it might attack them if it kicks back !
Genius!
I have one for sale in Illinois
I have a 1978 it started first kick this morning 🇦🇺
As an XT500 owner, I laughed hard at this... (having the same power plant)
Especially having learned the proper starting technique the hard way on an abused old clunker that wasn't properly tuned and stood in some barn for 20 odd years. It kicked back more than it aught to, kick indicator was sealed with epoxy, and the timing was a fair bit off. Took trial and error and a fair bit of flailing to get running at first.
Now, starts firts kick cold (not counting the two kicks with ignition off to prime it)
It is certainly not a bike you just swing a leg over and kick randomly, and is all to happy to kick your ass if you try to kick it with any throttle whatsoever. Bumping the idle up for cold conditions is done with the white thingy on the idle adjustment screw, ironically called a "hot start" button.
Well with all that being said, I got it for $130, started same day, smoked a bit when warm, but pulled plenty strong. Spent about a grand to get it as it is now. Looks and runs great, and always puts a smile on my face assuming I get time to ride it.
@@iterminator309 I've got an XT too. Good for wheelies.
Couldn't believe that someone brought out a video on the kick starter on modern bikes.. Kudos to you..
Just when i decided to ditch the all new 2021 Royal Enfield Classic 350 & get a sparingly used 2019 model Royal Enfield Std 350 Bullet with ES, (the last of the RE s with a kick starter).. Got to admit that the ES (Electric Start) is useful to get moving from traffic lights & engine stall.. But to kick start a Bullet in the morning is better than the best coffee,i would say..
Same opinion .
I had honda cd roadmaster 200 cc which had both electric and kick start, when i kicked start the bike the bike used to produce more powerful sound then from the e start, didn,t liked to use e start except the situations you mentioned
Bought the sr400 as a starter bike and man it has been the most reliable and fun thing I have ever purchased it handles amazingly and feels so good
Or buy any number of Chinese bikes that have the CG-based engine.
My brother in law has a 750 Norton Commando (as do I) and one time recently he was about to leave a popular cafe stop in the hills and while kickstarting his bike he heard voice from some patron call out “what the hell is he doing”. Someone had never seen a bike being kickstarted before.
Writing "electric start" on the side covers is itself a retro feature. It was typical in the 60s and 70s to announce that your bike had push button start in addition to a kickstarter. Sym is just being thoroughly authentic. Kickstart lever stashed under the seat, that was definitely a thing in the mid-to-late 70s. When manufacturers moved towards electric start only, many riders (myself included) didn't trust them, so some motorcycles had a kickstart lever stashed under the seat that could be fitted to a spline in the usual position. From memory, this was the case with the earliest generation of Honda Gold Wings and some Kawasakis. AJS and Janus both use Chinese engines, in fact AJS *is* a Chinese bike. Copying Japanese engines is not in itself a guarantee of reliability because it says nothing about the quality of the components being used. Many Chinese engines are well-made and reliable while others are thoroughly mediocre.
Very nice ! Love the kickstart !! There is something fun about using your foot to bring it to life! So much more satisfying than pushing a button to start up! Enjoy the challenge to kick a motorcycle into life!!
Couldn't agree more!!
The early Gold Wings had a kick starter stored under the seat as a back up.
I have an '08 Ural Patrol. A couple of years ago I actually won a cold start (kickstart only) race at a local rally. I love the fun and uniqueness of the Patrol, but I wouldn't want to pay today's price for one.
Every moto under 500cc should have a kick start.
I agree, more bikes should have a kickstart option. Also I think more new bikes should have a centre stand. Makes wrenching much more convenient. Nice selection of retro bikes. 👍 Thanks. 🏍🇨🇦
Couldn't agree more!!
That is why I have a centre stand on my CB500X, makes it easy to lube the chain.
As much as I like, nay, love my Interceptor 650, I've always wished that it came with a kickstarter.
Maybe should should have just bought an original RE Interceptor then? Do you also wish your fake one has carbs and tubed crossply tyres too?
Since the kick start lever has been dropped, I have had a few times that I wished that I could of beat the engineer or designer over the head with a kick start lever. If the battery is down or the engine overly warm, or flooded, the kick start was the way to start readily and be back on the road. Push starting is not a fun alternative with most of today's bikes.
@@ronfullerton3162 Ron do you wish your car (assuming you have one) comes with a starting handle at the front?
@@dave6467 Doing a running bump start of my smaller bikes I had when younger wasn't a problem. Trying to do a bump start of a Harley Ultra in my seventies is not anything I even want to try. And if you had ever hand cranked a larger engine, such as in a car, you would know that was a far bigger undertaking than a kick start on a bike. Although the old John Deere tractors were not that bad to start using the flywheel.
@@ronfullerton3162 Yeah I can imagine. Reliable electric starters are definitely a bonus.
Had a kick on my 48 panhead (1200 cc) but no kick on my 95 Virago (1100 cc) Compression is everything!
The SR 400 doesn't just look old. It is old.
For a lot of bikes, particularly Japanese, the switch to electronic ignition negated the usefulness of a kickstart. The electronic ignitions required decent voltage in order to fire with the right timing. This has changed, but when electronic ignition was new, it was different. The Boyer on one of my Nortons requires a good battery to kick start. Before I switched from points, I ran a dead battery for literally a few years. The other still has points.
The advantages of a kick starter are never mentioned anywhere but here!
I'll add the CSC SG250 to the list, has both electric and kickstart. One of the many, many bikes out of China using the old Honda CG125 motor increased to 229cc. Had one for a year as a city bike and backroad bike, not setting any sort of speed records out of 16hp but the featherweight size and the mechanical simplicity made it a fun bike to tinker on and blast around town on. Very much a "slow bike fast" sort of machine
Love the looks of Janus bikes, especially the Halcyon. The new 450 doesn't have kickstarter! Such a shame. Lack of kickstarter on a bike design like a Halcyon is a deal breaker. I've got a SR400 so I'm pretty adamant about kickstarters.
Is the starter motor, on these, unreliable ? Or does it have a weak battery?
I doubt there are issues with the starter or battery any more than any other motorcycle. The 250 engine that Janus uses is used in millions of other motorcycle and other applications, including dirt bikes, and just comes with a kickstarter.
Jason, then why are you concerned that it doesn't have a Kickstart? If it's a reliable unit, what's the problem?
Mostly because a bike designed after a 1920-1930 aesthetic should have a kickstarter. Heck, I'd go as far to say it shouldn't have an electric starter but I won't begrudge folks their luxuries. Keep in mind, I ride an SR400. They are kickstart only. I can be overly fanatical with period correctness.
@@jasonlassen7599 Bikes like the new (so-called) BSA and the Triumph Bobber are just overstyled contrived fakes and now you're saying even the starting mechanism should be contrived too, all for the benefit of styling? Doesn't that just make the whole fake-classic thing even more laughable? Next, people will be asking for a built-in oil (leak) dispensor.
Idk about other countries but here in india you can get a Royal Enfield bullet standard 350 which is a different variation of the classic 350 it comes with only a kickstart and is still in production!... it's also a lot cheaper.
BTW, your love of the T100 amazed me. I had a '60 5TA bobber I built,and I weighed 220 lbs in the mid 90's. I had it to 95mph,it needed a 5th gear. I miss it.
I had a 63 speed twin I did 100 mph two up!
Great to see ajs motorcycle back in production, hope they come to the states.
I'm probably wrong, but If i remember correctly, royal enfield still makes bullets till date (dont confuse with classics) and they come in two variants, one with just a kick start, and one with both electronic and kick.
The RE500 Bullet and Bullet-Classic (500-EFI model variation), which apart from a short period always had kick starters, have been discontinued, out of production. Likewise the 535-CGT. They have also had electric start for a long time now. The RE350 Bullet is being replaced with the RE350 Meteor which does not have a kickstart. Nor does the Himalayan nor the RE650. Where the 350 are plodders the 500 makes up for its lack of hp with a good helping of torque and a long power band.
I worked at a Yamaha dealer in '78. The SR hasn't changed. Back then the 500 was the nuts.
Certainly are, I've got a 79 SR.
had a 51 5T rigid & that was great too.
@@buxvan no kidding? I built a '60 5TA bobber. Tax time came,and I owed,so I had to sell it. Still miss that bike.
70’s Goldwings had removable kickstarters. They were stored inside the false fuel tank in case the battery was dead and the electric start couldn’t be used.
The amount of kicks required to start your bike is directly proportional to the amount of people watching.
Janus is cool and I like Royal Enfield too which are here in India
Awesome information. Love seeing a guy kickstart his ride
I ve got 1975 SHL Rajdoot
I had an AJS back in the nineteen sixties, single cylinder 350cc, leaked oil like a sieve from the primary chain case but it did have a kick starter but no electric starter. Lots of teenage fun. I've got a modern retro 650cc Enfield twin now, still leaks oil a little bit, no kick starter. A little while ago the electric start failed and I had to push it home (only about 40 yards fortunately). The starter started working again after I unplugged the starter relay (the small low current relay that brings in the relay that handles the full starter current) and plugged it back in again. I could have done with a kick starter then.
You mention Stuart Fillingham, he makes great videos. Fortnine and SF are two of my favorites. I am liking your videos, so far. Ride safe.
I had a 1966 Sportster, kick start only. On a cool fall day it might start after 100 kicks.
Bro,u missed out Royal Enfield Bullet 350 that comes with only kick option,both option and only E.Start option as well and are still in production.And it looks same as Classic 500 other than its parallel seat and tail light which is even retro I guess.
I had a Harley 45, my only vehicle, only had kick starter, just off active duty infantry, you had to be fit to kick in the winter in the Midwest, loved that bike, good workout on winter mornings, always started, was quite a workout, wonder if the BSA Goldstar has a kick starter, would love one of those
Love these retro videos man, I'm this 🤏 close to deciding to buy one of these puppies. Cheers!
You're forgetting Kiwi Indian motorcycle replicas! They also have kickstarter!
I want one, but they are $60K :(
Love bikes with kickstarts.your batt dies,kick it over and go.Awesome vid.🤘
Exactly,I see no good reason not to have both start options for when one fails!
The RE500 just needs a lazy prod to end of travel, not a strong kick (4:50). If you're leaping on it, you're doing it wrong.
Similar weight to the SR400, same power but a lot more torque much lower down, with a wider spread.
There are still 2stroke Jawa motorcycles from Czech republic.. With a kickstarted/shifter set up.
I have had 9 new Urals, from 2004 on, and they just get better and better; an excellent bike
1970s motorcycles Many had kick starter's and I loved them you could kick start your motorcycle even if it had a dead battery without having to bump start running the motorcycle down the street balancing it and jumping on all the while with the clutch pulled in. After you jumped on the motorcycle you pushed rolling down the street jumping on the seat and popping the clutch while still rolling hopefully you didn't forget to have the engine electricronics in the on run position. So after you popped the clutch with it moving it would Pop into life and you pulled the clutch in again and revved the engine to make sure it was started. Often after the engine was running the generator usually would charge the battery for your electric starting. So you'd drive ride wherever you were going ir else run it for a while and charge the battery. Kick starter's eliminated pushing it down the street hopefully you wouldn't push it to the other side and down onto the ground or asphalt street. I've started motorcycles every which way and my preference has always been to have Both an electric and kick starter. Preferably on a multi cylinder motorcycle. 2, 3, or 4 cylinder motorcycle.
I had a 1980 Yamaha XS 850 3 cyl. with both kick and electric. It was great having that kick starter. Without a kick starter if a battery is weak you're stranded. The electric would struggle to start the bike in cold weather, and usually not at all, but he kick starter always did the job. Currently I have a 2011 Ural Gear Up sidecar motorcycle with both kick and electric start. It's probably the only bike still having both. However it is not a motorcycle I would recommend these day mostly because they are outrageously overpriced, but my little shaggy doodle dog Poppy- now deceased- absolutely loved it. Poppy and i had tons of adventures and fun on that bike. I sure miss her, my best pal.
My 2008 YBR still has kick start and I LOVE it
Love your video! Just got myself a new SYM Husky Classic 125 cc. These are the successors of the SYM Wolf Classic 150 in your video. A very good looking, reliable and affordable classic bike from Taiwan
I won’t buy a motorcycle unless it has a kickstart…the CX500 being the only exception lol
Big Janice fan and I will own one someday for sure.
Little more expensive but when you consider the depreciation of most bikes and the money put into maintenance of other bikes.
Then the value is arguably similar.
Kick starters are just to satisfying. I have a classic 350 and yeah kickstarting looks cool, if the vehicle starts in one or two kicks.
Do these motorcycles have points or magneto so they can be kicked with a dead battery?
Propably not.
Sadly, the SR400 and Ural have EFI, which I want no part of. AJS bikes are not available in the U.S. Janus bikes are super expensive, and have CHINESE engines. No thanks. I have a 2013 Royal Enfield B5 Bullet (not the Classic, it looks a lot more like the older Bullets) It has a kickstarter. It came with EFI and a catalytic converter exhaust, which I quickly trashed are replaced with an Amal carburetor using a kit from Hitchcocks in the UK. I also replaced that disgusting exhaust with an aftermarket unit with no cat con in it, also from Hitchcocks. It now runs and sounds great. I have put over 14K miles on it since I bought it in 2013. Unfortunately the newer RE Classics cannot be converted to a carburetor, so I have no interest in those.
As for finding women with a bike, you will need a Harley, at least in the U.S. I have two, both carbureted with EVO engines. But being an older guy, the only way I am going to attract women, at least attractive women, would be to be rich.
Can AJS motorcycles be imported to the US?
What was the bike used for the icon for this video?
When I was in college I got a brand new1976 Triumph Bonneville 750. Red and white. $1995. I really miss it.
All motorcycles should have kickstart along with electric start.
Nice to hear your a fan of uncle Stu
A lot of old tech is still alive and well in small displacement bikes for the third world market...
Pretty much every popular bike and scooter here has a kick start option just in case. Drum brakes and Carbs are still pretty common on new models too :)
I still have my Sym Wolf 150. I have put over 50,000 Km on it !!
Wow that's awesome!
The SR400 looks old, but the SRV400 looks old GP. If you want a retro, go the SRV! In the West SYM may be known for scooters, but in Asia they still pump out kick-start 150 (and 125) singles under their original name, Sanyang.
It's true, kickstart is much cooler!
Dunno why but kickstarter still a selling point for me
so a Kickstart only, equals no battery? that would be so badass
Depends on if the ignition requires coils or a magneto. Most older dirt bikes ran this way.
@@stephenbrouillette4541 magneto would mean no battery required? I will keep that in mind.
Is that like having a crank handle on the front of cars? I actually have a 1981 Kz 550 ltd. I wish it had a kick start. Not only for looks but as I don't ride it that often, the battery can be lazy.
7:09, you should add it basically a direct copy of old BMW motorcycle
Should have given a slight sidenote for the RE Continental GT535 with the RE classic 500. Overall great video!
nice motorbike. fun topic
3:13 Sym Wolf doesn't have kick starter in new model in Taiwan
I've got a 2018 SYM Wolf Classic 150. Yes, it's got a kickstart.
i would take a carbureted, kickstarted bike with a magneto and no battery over anything that relys on battery power, i have had so many electric starts fail and had to resort to push starting out in the middle of buttfuck nowhere, id rather be able to start my bike as long as it has gas in it than have to keep popping the clutch for up to a half mile before i can even hop on.
Suzuki drz400 s or drz400 sm and $220.00
Suzuki kick start conversion kit. Will out perform any of the motorcycles on this list and is indestructible with 20 years of production!. You won't be disappointed.
Honestly, aside from the engine the SR400 doesn't look any different from the '79 XS400 I had many moons ago (2nd owner, bought it in '83). Great little bike and I regret having sold it!
Still in production with kickstart and bullet Eas that has both kick and electric start
Another bike that seems to have a kickstarter is the Orcal Astor, very similar to AJS.
Ural has greatly improved their sidecar motorcycles from 2014 on. Buyer beware older Ural's, especially when milage is over or at 10,000 miles. If you really want a Ural do not buy a 2 wheel drive model. The Dealer will try to convince you to spend more money for 2WD, which you will rarely use if ever at all. If you do use it off road it greatly impacts steering which will cause you problems. Save your money and buy a winch or simple cable type come-along and strong rope. Even when 2WD is disengaged and riding on pavement the constantly turning drive shaft connected to the sidecar wheel causes odd steering in turns even more than just having an attached sidecar. The single wheel drive CT model costs less, is faster, gets better fuel mileage, and steering becomes predictable and is always the same. That said, Ural motorcycles are very easy to work on so if you do your own automotive repair you will have no problems repairing or rebuilding everything on a Ural motorcycle.
Thanks for that info, that's helpful! No hate, I just think they're a bit pricey and I've heard the quality isn't great for what you're spending. Have you owned quite a few?
@@bartmotorcycle I work on them for several owners in my area. After I rebuilt my antique Dnepr sidecar motorcycle they stopped me and asked if I could work on their bike's. Ural motorcycles were built for civilians while the very similar looking Dnepr Motorcycle was built for military use which greatly increases production costs. At first they thought I was on a Ural but quickly realized it was not that and it had Soviet Union military badges on the gas tank and imprinted on the rubber fender flaps. I rebuilt one Ural engine for one of them and did some modifications on the engine in the other Ural to prevent the rear crankshaft bearing being damaged by too little oil flowing to it. That's a design issue that was corrected in 2014 and later models. Dnepr engines are completely different and use a completely different engine oil system design. The Ural oil pump simply moves oil up into the engine where it can be channeled to bearings and sling into the Pistons. Dnepr engines have a high pressure 6 bar (86 psi) forced oiling system. It also uses a centrifuge oil filter similar to the filters used in diesel tractor trailer engines that keep the oil perfectly clean between changes.
@@n4zou very interesting! Good to have an expert watching the videos!
I have an older Ural a 1998 and a half it has been extremely reliable and I don't have to suffer any of the problems the newer bikes have the kickstarter is great to show Harley Riders how to start a real motorcycle all of my Britt stuff none of them have an electric starter electric starters are for lazy people keep your bike tuned and your bike regardless of the brand will be a 1 or two starter
Which Royal Enfield in the old days it was said that it was built like a gun and then people will say yeah then it goes bang
Ever tried kicking over a thousand cc plus motor? They'll kick you back, hard!
Hell, a 500cc single will kick your ass if you don't get it right.
A Suzuki SP500 will do the same!
Hi, bart.Thank you for your videos.
What is the name of an English manufacturer of motorcycles that are similar to Janus? I saw your video in which you talked about this English brand. It's a small company. The grandson revived production after his grandfather.
I apologize for the bad English.
I would have loved an SR400 when I was still riding as it is the closest thing to my favorite bike of all time the XS 650, Unfortunately with it only having a kick start and my health problem I could not have started it if I had one, Is it possible to do a video on the XS 650 one day Bart ?
Having a kick starter is great in case of a flat battery and for the fun , and the feeling of accomplishment, of being able to start your bike with a kick . FYI It's not recommended to do it wearing ,thongs Aussie here, flip flops as you can lose a sheet or two of skin from under your foot ( don't ask me how I know).
Royal Enfield Bullet Standard 350 has only a kick start ..and it's still in production.
Are there any with more modern styling?
Just FYI, not all of the Janus bikes have kickstarters. I don’t think the current Halcyon 450 has one. I think I did see a kickstarter on the Halcyon 250 though, and maybe some of the earlier models had them…but looking at their web site, I’m not sure it’s there. And I agree, I love kickstarters also and they will attract old men before young hotties! 😩
The only reason I have a Ural is I bought it off of someone who didn't want to fix it anymore for $1000.😆Lots of expensive upgrades later, and now I have a slightly less crappy bike that's also dependable. Also good for turning heads while riding in the snow.
got a 2018 SR400 and it’s fun to ride. the other week one of the rear shocks just flew off which was a total bummer. Just want to ride!!
Love my 15’ Not good about the shock!
u forgot to mention the kawasaki w650 :p
Can't believe the SR 400 only has 27 hp.
My 79 Honda Cm 400t has 43hp.
I'm here wondering if my 2015 yamaha sr400 is on the list. Kick start only. Not disappointed
I Paid $3,500, almost tradein value!
7,500 miles on clock. Also has a quicker sprocket and windscreen.
This bike hasn't changed since it was first developed in 1978. Accept the fuel injection.
5 months later ive almost doubled the miles. 14,200 only 700miles more.
I was given another kickstart motorcycle by my neighbor yesterday. A 1975 honda gl1000.... 1st year of the goldwing. This bike is gonna be nuts. Only 27k and 1 previous owner. Just need to rebuild the carburetors. 😊
Being european it somehow puts me down seeing all these great looking bikes that won't be available over here because new carburetors aren't allowed here anymore...
btw: I have a Ural. Yes, they are kind of expensive but still worth every penny. 🙂 They are sidecars and designed to be that. There isn't much else to choose from and what there is doesn't exactly outperform the ural both in terms of priceworthyness or quality
they just made it again for real...watched video yesterday! i had a 2015 was great!
You forgot Cleveland! !!!!!!
Electric might be quicker, but a kicker is slicker!
Kickstart for bikes is like the manual transmission of cars. It's a slowly dying artform.
By the way, SR400 isn't the only one without an electric start, my 2014 Royal Enfield Bullet 350 only has a kickstart.
I have got 2019 classic 350 has kick start and it rocks
Sr400 still in production
I'm here for dead batteries. Great video
You're missing the Honda CT125!
I have a 2021 benelli k light 202, that has both electric and kick start
Kickstart on the SR400 is an absolute nightmare. There really should be a button start option as well. I agree the kickstart looks way cooler and gets the chicks to look but I’m not trying to be late to work by Mule kicking the crap outta my SR400 till my shirt is drenched in sweat. It’s not rad at all!
something must be wrong with your technique because mine starts in 1 or 2 kicks every time. first time I started took like 20 kicks, and for the first couple months riding it I did need more like 3 kicks to get it going though
you can actually fit an electric start to it but I don't know how good they are, and feel no need for it personally anyway
The Honda CT 125 .trail.
Brand new..has a kick starter
Royal Enfield has now removed Kickstart from all their bikes. End of a kick start Era from Royal Enfield
Kickstarts are cool until you try to kick over a gt750 suzuki or a gl1000 goldwing.yes,the 1st gen wings had a kicker
Lol that's crazy
"a kickstart under the seat that you can attach.."
I give you the XS1.1
If you want to attract women with a motorcycle attach a sidecar to the motorcycle. I didn't know about that aspect after rebuilding an antique Soviet Union KMZ Dnepr military sidecar motorcycle. The sidecar cover it came with had shrunk and was not usable. I didn't think driving around with an empty, uncovered sidecar would be a problem. While stopped at a Red Light a woman jumped into my sidecar and refused to get out until I took her for a short ride. When she got out she left her name and number with O'and X's implying an extra good time if I called her. They will also come up and talk to you when you park the bike with some getting "aggressive". I asked one of those women what was the attraction with the sidecar motorcycle. She explained that romance novels regularly have stories of women meeting a Biker with a sidecar motorcycle and riding off with him on a romantic adventure in the sidecar.
I have an SR and can confirm so far that it has only attracted old men. 'Did you restore that?' 'Well, uh'
I have the yamahasr400! Its a great bike but took me a long time to be able to kick start it by myself. But I am a pretty small girl so I wasn't to suprised.
Building my own bike? Such a cool idea!
Unfortunately I'm not an American :/