my first bike was an 80'something dr400. no electric start, and had the compression release lever. i was 12 and never knew how to use it. wish youtube existed back in '91. this video would have helped me out immensely! lol
Your vid was a life saver. Just bought a 1992 DR 650 . This thing is a beast, I love it. And it starts on the 2nd or 3rd kick everytime. I'm 178 lbs,. soak and wet and I can fire it up easy. Your awesome!
Works so good. One key thing he mentions is to keep your hand off the gas. That's really important. I struggled hard because I gave it some throttle. Was some sort of reflex from starting my 2 stroke. So keep that in mind!
Zdeněk Šnajdr 1996 model year and up is different with many parts. I forced a 97 tank on my 93, but it doesn't fit properly. I made it work to finish out last season, but have since purchased a new Acerbis for my model year range. I know, it's been a while since your post. Maybe you haven't purchased yet.
Got a '90 DR650S as my starter. It's seen better days, but starts right up first kick every time. No priming, no choke, just decompress once for TDC and let 'er rip!
Ended up selling the old girl a few years ago. I do miss her. After my decompression lever cable snapped I had to be real nice to her to avoid that mean kick. Getting the feel for TDC by cycling the kick starter was a delicate operation at times lol. Bruised arches and lumpy shins were my punishment.
Can't thank you enough! I have kicked my '91 DR 650 15 times without starting. Now after 6 kicks (with the petcock turned to prime while holding the compression release lever), it starts on the 2nd or 3rd kick every time!
Does the kill switch push button need to be pushed in or left out to run? I have exact same bike. And it is a pain to start. Especially since I'm missing the decompression cable
norman eppert, TM40 should start easily. I have a video with the proper procedure with a TM40 without kicking it more than the half kick to find tdc, and the full kick after. This video is WAY more complicated than it needs to be. That said, if it actually helped anyone, it's not that bad.
tryed it...... didnt work for me !¬!!!?? i must be doing something wrong !! have a new decompressor cable and lever ordered .....looking for a new kickstarter .....just broke old one again ....:(
i didn't buy this bike yet, but it always seemed to me that the kickstarter seems too filmsy, so it breaks very often? is there an aftermarket one that is sturdier?
I recently got a 1985 model dr 600 and im having really hard time starting it. Mine doesnt seemto have decompression lever, only choke. Is this normal with this year model?
Hi, i own a DR650 dakar from 1999 and normally it starts on the second kick like yours but recently i have had a problem with it, it is crazy hard to get started even tho i do everything right. Once its finally started it runs normally, but as soon as i turn it off and want to start it again its almost not possible Any suggestions on what the issue could be?
No you hold the lever kick over 6 times then let go of it and gently kick till it wolnt move then pull the lever so it stays open then gently kick it till it snaps shut then bring kicker back up all the way and give it a good kick
The engine in the video actually had a new piston, rings and cylinder was rehoned so plenty of compression. I had that bike for almost 20 years before I sold it to a friend. I used it for motorcycle courier work. If yours is backfiring and kicking back, your doing something wrong like not bringing it to TDC. Either way, the start sequence seems to work for at least the other +100 people who gave a thumbs up.
The only reason why it would backfire if i kick while decompressing, is because my DR600 is from 1985, and on that model there is no anti-backfire solenoid to avoid a broken foot, it happened to a friend of mine who has the same model as i do, and the first time he tried to start it, he sprained his foot
just got a my 92 dr had trouble watched your video 3 kicks later fired right up thank-you
my first bike was an 80'something dr400. no electric start, and had the compression release lever. i was 12 and never knew how to use it. wish youtube existed back in '91. this video would have helped me out immensely! lol
65elcamino283, go to my page and see how much easier it really is.
Thank you so much for posting this video as it sure made a huge difference for me to start this bike. I like the old girl and she runs strong.
Your vid was a life saver. Just bought a 1992 DR 650 . This thing is a beast, I love it. And it starts on the 2nd or 3rd kick everytime. I'm 178 lbs,. soak and wet and I can fire it up easy. Your awesome!
You are the man. Thank u. I was about to sell the bike because it was a nightmare to start.
Wow nornally takes me 20 mins to get this started cold. Went down and tried your way and it started immediately!!
This worked perfect! I was ready to pull off carb and clean it. It started on second kick! Thank you!
Works so good. One key thing he mentions is to keep your hand off the gas. That's really important. I struggled hard because I gave it some throttle. Was some sort of reflex from starting my 2 stroke. So keep that in mind!
Yesterday I bought DR r '93..in very good shape, but I must learn to start old suzy..I'm going now to try. Great video!
Thanks for sharing. Your tips made starting my dr so much easier
Many thanks for the information, I struggled before seeing this due to a foot injury!! My Dakar 650Starts every time when done this way
great informative video of kickstarting these beasts...
Once again: you sir are awesome
Zdeněk Šnajdr 1996 model year and up is different with many parts. I forced a 97 tank on my 93, but it doesn't fit properly. I made it work to finish out last season, but have since purchased a new Acerbis for my model year range. I know, it's been a while since your post. Maybe you haven't purchased yet.
Got a '90 DR650S as my starter. It's seen better days, but starts right up first kick every time. No priming, no choke, just decompress once for TDC and let 'er rip!
Rat Lungworm i own a 93 DR650R (Not a RSE) Same no choke no Prime
Had a 87 dr600 same thing. No problem.
Ended up selling the old girl a few years ago. I do miss her. After my decompression lever cable snapped I had to be real nice to her to avoid that mean kick. Getting the feel for TDC by cycling the kick starter was a delicate operation at times lol. Bruised arches and lumpy shins were my punishment.
I like kickstart, but Im also getting old and like electric start.
I like bikes that have both but not many enduros do anymore.
Can't thank you enough! I have kicked my '91 DR 650 15 times without starting. Now after 6 kicks (with the petcock turned to prime while holding the compression release lever), it starts on the 2nd or 3rd kick every time!
Does the kill switch push button need to be pushed in or left out to run? I have exact same bike. And it is a pain to start. Especially since I'm missing the decompression cable
Danke hat mir sehr geholfen.💪🏼
Hello sir, I was wondering if dr 650 would be a good bike for me (I'm 6'8)
Thanks for it .. kind of complicated . but its working .. it´s much mor complicate with a TM 40 + Acerbis
norman eppert, TM40 should start easily. I have a video with the proper procedure with a TM40 without kicking it more than the half kick to find tdc, and the full kick after.
This video is WAY more complicated than it needs to be.
That said, if it actually helped anyone, it's not that bad.
If only mine started this easy. Had a fuel tank, brakes, silencer etc. Yours seems to run quieter than mine :P
Lots of other little variables. check that your idle screw is set high enough...but not too high...mixture, clean carb etc...
I m going to buy it tomorrow :) Thank you
I am curious if my weight is appr. 70 Kg and my height is 180cm could be the DR suitable for me ,I mean could I kick start it or it is hopeless ? :)
I'm 65kg and 180cm and can start a DR650 just fine. :)
Well,thats fine news :)
tryed it...... didnt work for me !¬!!!?? i must be doing something wrong !! have a new decompressor cable and lever ordered .....looking for a new kickstarter .....just broke old one again ....:(
i didn't buy this bike yet, but it always seemed to me that the kickstarter seems too filmsy, so it breaks very often? is there an aftermarket one that is sturdier?
make sure you have a hot battery and a good CDI, the CDIs go bad on these easily
I have a 90...i cant start it, thank you for this video
Perfect informative video☮️🙏🇹🇷.
I recently got a 1985 model dr 600 and im having really hard time starting it. Mine doesnt seemto have decompression lever, only choke. Is this normal with this year model?
Hope your figured it out, not sure about the year to year changes but they are a bear to kick until you dial it in.
It should have that. Might have been removed? Had absolute no problem starting my -87. Still miss that bike.
Can you buy a electric starter kit for a 1991DR 650s ?
Hi, i own a DR650 dakar from 1999 and normally it starts on the second kick like yours but recently i have had a problem with it, it is crazy hard to get started even tho i do everything right. Once its finally started it runs normally, but as soon as i turn it off and want to start it again its almost not possible
Any suggestions on what the issue could be?
Clean the Carb and make sure the Idle Speed Screw is not set to high. Hope that helps
Hi guys. I need advice. It get on my DR650 year 1991 plastic tank? If I got the Acerbis tank model eg 1997, will I fit? Thanks :-)
Man your are a Genius. .. Thanks. ... for sharing
Thanks mine had me baffled
So you start it with the decompression lever pulled in? Holding it in?
No you hold the lever kick over 6 times then let go of it and gently kick till it wolnt move then pull the lever so it stays open then gently kick it till it snaps shut then bring kicker back up all the way and give it a good kick
Thanks men.....
And what if none of this works?
this is not how it works, you have to kick hard once after depressed it, not while lol
You must be right because it never started in the video...or did it?!?!?
It started nearly effortlessly and precisely when you said it would Tractor King. Unless you edited out all the sweat in the video!
if it works why not, if i do this on my DR600, it will backfire and break my foot because of the healthy engine that has a lot of compression
The engine in the video actually had a new piston, rings and cylinder was rehoned so plenty of compression. I had that bike for almost 20 years before I sold it to a friend. I used it for motorcycle courier work.
If yours is backfiring and kicking back, your doing something wrong like not bringing it to TDC.
Either way, the start sequence seems to work for at least the other +100 people who gave a thumbs up.
The only reason why it would backfire if i kick while decompressing, is because my DR600 is from 1985, and on that model there is no anti-backfire solenoid to avoid a broken foot, it happened to a friend of mine who has the same model as i do, and the first time he tried to start it, he sprained his foot
That was confusing as F