Being stranded with a bike that won’t start is a nightmare for many motorcycle riders. One solution is to add a kickstart to an electrical start motorcycle as a safeguard. Can this actually be done and is it a good idea to do so? I’ve done some research to give you some answers.
You can add a kickstart to most motorcycles with a kickstart kit or help from a mechanic. Whether or not such an addition is worth the time, effort, and money is up to you.
There are a lot of opinions about whether or not adding a kickstart to your motorcycle is a reasonable decision. Let’s dig into what some of the benefits–and drawbacks–are of adding a kickstart to a motorcycle.
Adding a kickstart to a motorcycle
First off: What is a kickstart?
Motorcycles used to all be made with kickstarts. Basically, it’s a way to manually crank the gears and get the engine started.
With the rise in technology, motorcycles switched over to electric start. The basic process is the same, but all you need to do is push a button instead of kicking a lever.
There are still some motorcycles with only a kickstart, and some motorcycles, especially dirt bikes, come with both an electric start and a kickstart. However, most of the time, if you’re buying a new motorcycle it will have an electric start.
You might be wondering why anyone would want to add a kickstart to an electric start. After all, electric starts are much quicker and easier.
However, electric starts have more possibility of failure. They require a battery, and if your battery dies, you’re out of luck.
This is why some people have tried adding a kickstart as a safety net. There are some kits on the market for adding a kickstart to your bike. Before you try anything, make sure that the kit will work on your motorcycle, since there is no guarantee that the modification can be done.
One thing to check is the compression rates. Some bikes with electric starts don’t have enough compression for a kickstart.
So, all in all, it is possible to add a kickstart to an electric start bike. Note that this will add some weight, which may slow the bike down or affect the handling.
It’s also important to note that while adding a kickstart is possible on most bikes, it isn’t needed. Although electric starts can fail, the likelihood is low, especially if you practice proper bike maintenance.
Even if the battery does fail, you will most likely be able to push start the bike. All in all, most riders seem to think that having both a kickstart and an electric start is excessive, but there’s nothing wrong with going this route if it makes you feel most comfortable!
How to make your motorcycle kickstart easier?
When talking about kickstarts, a lot of riders imagine frustratedly kicking at the lever unable to get the bike started. It can take a little practice, and it can take a lot of energy. After all, there’s a reason motorcycles have made the switch to electric starts!
Here’s a quick rundown of how to kickstart a bike:
- Put the bike in neutral.
- Hold the front brake.
- Pull the kickstarter out from the side of the bike.
- Push steadily down until you feel resistance.
- Once you feel resistance, then kick all the way down.
There’s a good chance you’ll need to kick more than once, so don’t be discouraged if this doesn’t work the first time around.
When kicking, make sure that you follow through with the kick. Many people instinctively pull their foot back up as soon as they kick. Instead, keep your foot pressed down.
Another tip is to pause between kicks if the first one doesn’t work. Wait a couple of seconds between each attempt. (This will also help you avoid getting tired out immediately.)
Is kickstart or electrical start better?
If you don’t have a bike with both an electrical start and a kickstart, you might be wondering which is better. Is it worth finding a kickstart? Here’s a rundown of some of the pros and cons of each.
Electrical Start Pros
Here’s the big pro with an electrical start motorcycle: it’s easier.
Electrical starts are designed to be quick and simple. Really, all you need to do is push a button, and the bike does all the work for you.
This can be especially important if you stall. Imagine you’re on a busy road and the motorcycle stalls. With an electric start, you can instantly get it back in motion, without needing to worry about the other vehicles around you.
Electrical Start Cons
There are, however, some cons to the electric start.
The most notable is that they are more likely to fail. Electric starts rely on a battery, which can die or have problems.
Besides, a battery is just another part that you need to purchase.
Having an electric start and battery also means that your bike will be heavier. For most riders, this won’t be a noticeable difference. But for motocross racers this added weight can make a difference and slow the bike down.
Kickstart Pros
The biggest pro for a kickstart is that it is unlikely to fail. I won’t say never, because anything can happen when you’re riding, but the chances of a kickstart failing are low.
While heavy rain can affect an electric start, it won’t cause any problems for a kickstart.
One other pro of kickstart bikes is that they tend to be cheaper. This could be partly due to the fact that most kickstart bikes are older models, but they are also cheaper to produce and don’t require a battery.
Kickstart Cons
The con to a kickstart bike is that it’s more difficult. In order to get a kickstart bike going, you really need to kick it. This kind of bike can be difficult to ride if you are injured or even just tired after a long day.
The kickstart becomes even more difficult on cold days, and it can take several tries to get the bike going.
Another con to the kickstart bike is that it takes a little more time to start the bike, no matter how good you are at it.
This can be problematic if you’ve stalled in a busy place and need to try to get the motorcycle running without disrupting traffic or, worst case scenario, getting hit by that traffic. Or, imagine stalling in a race and losing several valuable seconds as you fight to get started.
All in all, there are good reasons for either type of start. In the end, it’s your decision which start you prefer. If you can test both before buying, do so! So much of motorcycle riding is a personal preference. As long as you feel comfortable, safe, and in control of your motorcycle, that’s what counts.
If you prefer electric starts for the ease and convenience but are worried about getting stranded somewhere, there are ways to add a kick start to an electric bike.
Dirt bikes are a common place where you might see this, since they tend to ride in secluded areas around hills and water. No one wants to end up stuck in the bottom of a valley trying to push start a bike up a hill!
Can you add a kickstart to a motorcycle? Yes. Should you? Well, that’s up to you!