DRZ400S/SM Kickstart Installation / HOWTO 

thanks, I did my kickstart after seeing it was possible, only tools i didn't use were the clutch basket holder or the impact driver, but still able to get it all in and working, took about an hour and a half but it was time well spend after having the battery die while riding alone, definitely a must for the drz as insurance

Kudos to you, dude. Thanks for doing the work and putting it on RU-vid making this addition easier for me to do when it's my turn...which is coming right up. Getting into these things for the first time is always a puzzle but it's the only way to really learn. Paul in Vermont

Thanks for making the video it didn't look like a complicated task so I'm sure it will encourage other DRZ400S owners to go ahead and install a kick start on their bikes. Kudos to you sir ;-)

Hey, thanks for the info. Did about a 40 mile loop mostly off pavement yesterday...I think I'm going to love this bike. Thanks again for the part number....Can't imagine why these don't come from the factory with a kicker....

You have inspired me... After taking a quick look I noticed that my KLR is old enough and has the plug for where the kick-start goes (if you bought anything newer than a '96... not so much). It would have been really nice when I lost the voltage regulator to the trail gremlins. I'll put it on the "someday projects I probably won't get to" list

Good job, and good video as I know a lot of DRZ'ers would like their kick start back. This video is all inclusive on how to do that. I have contemplated doing it on my DR350 as the model used to have one so all I have to do is buy the parts for the earlier model years.

Very well done sir even though you missed the bucket with the anti-freeze but no one noticed haha. Stay safe

Good editing, good camera angles, and good commentary throughout. Thanks man, looks like I'll be doing this myself now rather than paying a stealership to do it.

Awesome thanks mate for making this video, has built my confidence with the kit I have just ordered. Champion!!

Thanks for the video. Just picked up a drz400e, considering adding a Kickstarter. This was very helpful

You rock man. Thanks for this video. Aiming to get this done today.

Reminds me of my old RM-250. Could be a c-bomb to kick start. Nice vid. Makes me want to strip my DRZ down and try this.

What a fantastic video 🇺🇲🍾🎉🇺🇲 How much do you charge to install on a 2024 drz400s? Thank you so much for assisting me and keep producing more videos about the drz

best feeling when you do mechanics yourself!! nice work man!! im the same with you here ;)

When reinstalling the case DO NOT press down hard if it feels like its not seating, it means the plastic water pump or oil pump gear is not meshing and it WILL break if you press hard, so make sure it meshes. nice video tho very helpful.

Great video! Thanks 👍 I'll install a kick start when I replace my clutch eventually 👍 I'll revisit this video no doubt

I know I shouldn't be laughing, But I have done the same thing with the antifreeze before. heheh. Glad to see its not just me. You did an excellent job on this video my friend, Thank you so much for sharing it with us, I would live to do this to my bike as well, it sure would take the worry of the battery dyeing out in the woods or way off the beaten path. I truly wonder why they don't just instal it from the factory with one, Never has made sense to me why they wouldn't just do that.? It would be a good time to replace the friction and steel plates if they are needed while you have your bike torn apart also. You did an excellent job on this video my friend, thanks for taking the time to share it all with us, Nicely done, love it. How awesome is that, Love it, Great job buddy.. you have to let your foot slide off and let that kick starter hit you in the back of the calf to make it official.. :)

As a general advice, it´s better to tighten and loose screw NOT clockwise nor counterclockwise. First make a cardboard template with the positioning of every bolt and screw because they may have different lengths. Once you have loosen or tighten one, proceed with the one on the OPPOSITE side. This way you don´t bend the cover and prevent future leakages. Edit: saw the whole video, it´s mentioned at the end

Thanks a lot for this very helpful video. What make year is your DRZ? Do you by any chance know if the kick starter kit is also compatible with the 2018/2019/2020 DRZ400E/S/SM models? Not sure what changes Suzuki has made to the engine/gearbox in their latest DRZ update.

Outstanding. Not sure why but both DRZs I've owned are very dicey to electric start after a crash (over on their side). Takes a lot of cranking. I would love just strip the electric start system.

Good exercise bike !! It's great to have another way to start the bike as the stock batteries are small.

Just fitted a kicker to my 2003 model drz400e. Looks like it has always been there. The instructions aren't the best. The kit is awesome though as all the parts fit perfectly into the bike. Great piece of mind knowing I can kick start it when riding in some pretty remote locations should I have any problems with the electric starter. Good video also.

lol i have seen tons of video ,you the only dude smart enough to use two hands

Super helpful vid! I installed the kickstart today on my DRZ400SM, and am running into the exact same problem you have at the very end of the video! Every time I try and kickstart it, it's close, and sounds semi close to starting, but doesn't start. Pretty much exactly the same sound your unsuccessful starts sound like! Any tips to solving this issue? I know the bike runs because the electric start works no probs! Thanks for the help!!!

Well done! The question is what kind of scotch was had afterward?

I'm surprised and disappointed that the instructions didn't include torque values for all the fasteners you have to remove to complete the job. side note: for someone who says they're a lousy mechanic, you seem to have done just fine, but you were smart about it, take your time, follow directions.

What is the part number on the clutch basket holder? There are several different ones on Amazon. Nicely done by the way. I am a new owner of a DRZ400 and it seems like it just barely wants to start every time.

Just wondering if you used BLUE LOCTITE on all the treads so as they dont comeout ? Great job by the way

Do you have to oil the gasket when putting back together? And do you have to loctite the retainer bracket in?

A really helpful video sir, thanks for sharing. I sent you a message but it probably will end up in the spam folder. Hopefully you can have a look. Cheers

hi great vid did you ever put the kick start in the right spot its supposed to lay in the groove in the heat shield ant the top fits right under the bottom of the tank!

Where did you buy it from? Can you post in the description ? I tried to read all the threads but i’m too adhd...

Great video. Am looking into this install on my DRZ. At the moment, I have an oil leak coming from the large gasket under the clutch engine casing (the one with loads of bolts in !). Need a new gasket. Can you tell me, is there a Torque setting for these small bolts ? Also, is it a case of just using engine oil on the gasket or do you need sealant ? Cheers

Great video mate. Thank you

Hey man! awesome video. you don't happen to know the part number for the kickstarter do you Im trying to get one for my KLX400R! Great video!!

Yea right dude 😂 I’ll bump start it if I have to.

Damn thanks for recording this!

Where did you buy this from? Bought a kick start for my s model but it was from a e and its very hard to kick I need a s/sm model so link to site? Or store name?

0.0 You actually washed it?!? I'm impressed. Haha.

Thanks for the video Now I know how to add a kick start. I have a 05 model and don't know if there is one for my bike. Thanks again

Excellent video!

Im riding a drz400sm. So am i right to say i could buy the drz400 kick start kit and fix onto the bike?

do you think it'll also work on a 2000 drz400e since it has the plug there?

How can I tell if I have an E or a S model, I was sold a 2001 so I could fully rebuild it but was told it was a 2006, what parts will fit my bike, I’ve already bought 2009 a bottom end from a.Sm but it wold of fit the 2006 but not sure if it will fit my 2001, I’m really angry at the seller as I paid the price of a 2006, can some DRZ lover please help me...

Which kit did you buy?

If it's anything like my XR600 was, you'd want to turn the motor over slow until you hit the compression stroke, then hit it hard. That's the only way mine would ever start.

Did this actually take you 9hours?! Got a link to the kit you bought?

Great guide.

For best results on kick starting a drz please remember that wearing the right foot gear like mockisons is the most fun way to go so DON'T Wear motorcycle boots, if you do wear motorcycle boots your bike won't start ever

Can you put a link to the kit in the description?

Did that seriously take 9 hours to install? Just asking because I'm thinking about installing one on my 3x3 mod rejetted DRZ400SM in her next oil change.

Where did you get the parts from ?

Why did not start right away at the end ?

Will this work for a DRZ-400E?

That will set you back about R300-dollers.If you are as thick as a plank another 120-dollers towards the mechanic

Great job!

Well done!

You left us hanging there buddy! Did it eventually start up? :)

Where did you get the kit from and how much did it cost?

What drz do you have. The one by suzuki is only for drz 400 e 2000-2007.

How many Phillips screws are on Japanese Motorcycles??? Answer: NONE. They look like Phillips but are JIS and you will bugger them up using a Phillips screwdriver. I bought a #3 JIS bit from Vessel and did not have to resort to the impact driver. Otherwise - great job.

nice job

did it work ? i thought that kick starter are only for drz e

Can you provide a link to where you got the EBC clutch tool

What year DRZ is that?

easy on the kicking.. always set kick starter then kick..don't kick wildly..

Did you install de compression

Harbor Freight sells a snap ring plier set for about $10

Use sun light instead that yellow light next time bro, thanks for sharing

You flooded it at the end

you are kicking it like a 2 stroke ...it's diferent to kick a 4stroke you have to put it in TDC

Кто так заводит с кик стартера?))) Нужно сначала поймать натяг рычага, а потом резко дернуть....

Свечу поменяй!))