Kick Starting an Old Four Stroke - A Millennial How To 

"its so fun starting my kick start when its stalled on a hill of 50 degrees"

3:30 "It'll be idling at 1600 degrees" how that's pretty fucking hot 😂😂

Millenials = Dont drive manual transmissions. Older Generations = racked up $20,000,000,000,000 in debt they expect Millenials to pay.

I love kick start it's just nice to have a e start

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. :)

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'm a millennial and I love kickstart and manual transmissions!

oh btw just did everything you said and it worked a treat!!!

I was born in 2001, and I love having a kick start. It's way more reliable than a bike with a battery.

A lot of the issues people have with kickers is that, like you said, it needs to be tuned properly or you’re gonna wear yourself out. Also, the advances in electronics in the last 25 years means that a bike with extra features such as full lighting, batteries, electric starters, fuel injection and so on can be produced more cost effectively, be reliable, and be more compact and lightweight than an older kick only bike. I have 250r like that one and its a pussycat, but I wouldn’t mind an electric leg on a flooded out 650r after a few hours riding.

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.

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.

Love this video. I may still be considered a millennial, but damn do I agree with all of this. Manual all the way

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.

Thanks for the tips! I'm just about to pick up an XR400 so it's appreciated.

I was born in 93 and I don't fuck with any thing automatic

Lmao I’m a gen z and no kick start is a deal breaker for me 😂

Nicely done, thanks for going through the various scenarios as well

kinda late but i have a yz125 2000 i start it in like 30 degree weather without choke, is this really rich? how can i rejet it?

For when it's flooded I turn of the gas and put it on it's side, it flows out the overflow tube

Thanks for the info man!

Great video!! Thanks I just pickup a 1996 XR250R. Ready to go.

I got a 4stroke 2012 Suzuki drz 400e it has a auto decompress on the cam housing no lever to pull though how am I suppose to unflood it if it was flooded?

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??

Your camera girl is awesome steady as out with the camera no shacks or put

what if you have an 05 ttr 90 that the choke is stuck off and it doesnt kick first or second kick?

Is it okay i use the kick start everytime i wana start my motor?

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?

I was born in 02 and I have only driven with a kick start

My choke on my 1984 xr250 is broke. What do I do

How would you find Tdc because my 400 doesn’t want to start sometimes I did everything right but I don’t know how to find the tdc

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

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.

Been having trouble with my 525, this oughta save me some hassle. Thanks for the good tips!

What do I do I have a xr250l and i have to have someone heavy to help kick it

my bike doesn't even have a choke or a decompression valve, so what should I do instead?

Whats the point of having a kick start when you can have an electric start? Its not like it takes skill to kick start. The only difference between kick and electric is a small electric motor is spinning the engine and not your leg.

so when eveRide misbehaves, do you kick start him? curious minds want to know.

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.

My bike has both electric and kick

And I wish everything had a stick shift.

Hey man, I recently rebuilt my carb on my 2004 xr250r and the jets and to be re-jetted. I have looked everywhere for a how to but can’t seem to find one. Could you help me out?

How is pulling the decomp lever and kicking it dump the gas in the engine in case # 2 but removes gas out of the engine in the 3rd case when its flooded

I haven't started my bike in a long time can someone please help ME!!!

Says its easy yet he is out of breath the whole video. Kick starts belong on 2 strokes.

i have an xr250r but whenever its cold and i try to turn it on i have to give it some gas even with the choke on, and i have to keep reving it until its warm cause if not it will turn off

Hi, i want to know the speedometer used in the bike?

you didn't mention how manly kick start only bikes are

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.

I just got a dirtbike Yesterday and when I shift to second gear the bike turns off why?

I just got a kick start and it is super hard to push down and start up any ideas?

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 generation x and I love the button on my 300xcw... But my millennial girlfriend never complains about kicking her KX. ;)

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 !

Great video love old school bikes with kick start and carbs. But were is the E-Ticket ride

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.

I'm seventeen and I can't stand electric start

I was riding an 04 yzf450 the other day and it takes a long while for it to start up any help on it ? Had to push start it Bc it was taking too much to kick start it

I'm 15 and i got a 410cc for free and it's way too big i know but i still ride it. I have a hard time kicking it because of the big engine and i break my leg every time it comps mid kick, is there an easy way to kick a too big bike?

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

slow down I didn't hear a damn word you said

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)

but if we use all time choke the mileage wll drop?

Bahahaha! Keep it up.

The most helpful riding video I have ever watched, thanks Hermit!

What kind of speedo is that? where do you get it please?

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'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.

Does the top dead center thing apply to all bikes? Ive rode dirtbikes for years an never new that

Hey great vid, question- I have a 79 Yamaha 1100 motorcycle that’s been sitting for about 5 years. It’s electric and kick ( altho I’ve never kicked it).. it was parked so long the clutch plates are stuck and the clutch lever has no tension! Also the battery is dead. I’m just curious if with the key on choke open and in neutral it will start with the kickstart? Any advice how I can get her fired up before purchasing a new battering and cleaning up the clutch plates? Thx

On the hot engine, you flood with gas, do you release the throttle, and kick it a few times with the decomp to release the gas, or leave the gas in the engine?

Hey my carbonated sounds flooded does any one have video of what a flooded carborator sounds like

could some one explain what that lever is used for on the left of the bike at 4:30?

My bike kicks over one time then it turns over and hits something solid what's that

My 01 xr250 is the exact same. Full choke and it wants to start. Go half or no choke and she fires up.

Thanks for a great video very helpful

Can you make an video on how to find tdc?

I have a xr250 2004 and i use the compression lever for the fist kick then let it go for next kick and and turn choke on for cold start

what if you have a bike with both?

Ta, that helps. What was the tachometer/rev counter/temp unit on the bike?

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.

Does anybody know how easy it is to do an electric start conversion?!?!?!

So my chinese put bike is hard to kick start. And sometimes it kind of skips a kick?? Please help.

Really nice little Xr

what about 50cc learner bikes mine starts always with just one kick and then just works and i dont think there is choke so is the fuel mixture too rich?

Great video! i had a question. i have a KTM 250xcf-w (the four stroke one) with a 280 big bore kit in it. The bike starts first kick with choke always when cold but when the bike gets hot it doesnt want to start. There is no de compression lever on the bike so how would i get the gas in the motor to cool it down? would i open the throttle with the gas on and press down the kick start then turn the gas off and drain it then turn the gas back on and try to start it? also would it be wise to spend some money and get an oversize radiator and super cooler since it has the 280 kit with stock water pump and stock radiator?

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!!!!

Love the portion on manual cars I own a kick start scooter and a manual car and picking up a Suzuki Gs500e Friday

Seeing as to my kicky doohickey is on the other side do I invert your instructions? Or should I just turn around so it is on my right? And then the controls would be like a vintage Royal Infield. Heck, maybe I'll drive on the other side of the road too.

I always wondered what that decomp lever was for. Now I know.

That flooded start was a handy one to know! Thanks for the video :)

my bike dosent start with choke all the way up unless i spray some starter fluid in the air filter whole. so guess im to lean. going to buy a jet kit and make it a bit more rich. hopefully this will help and thanks alot for the video. also should u give any throttle at all if its kinda hard to start? i have a 1983 yz250. its got fresh gas, carb is sparkling, spark plug is brand new. compression is ok. thanks again for the video :)

I wish my DRZ/SM had a kick . Thanx for the tips.

Do you still use a crank handle to start your car? I’m not a kickstarter snob. I’d love e start on mine.

What tachometer/speedometer are you running on the xr250?

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.

where can i buy that machine that tells you all of the info on the bike? i have an old yamaha 1989 xt350 and my speedometer doesnt even work hahaha i need an upgrade. thanks!

I have a klx 300 1999,when is cold is quiet easy to start, when is hot i need to push start him, i don't know why, the bike is all new.

I have a klr250 and find comfort in the Kickstart. it's there whether the battery is or not.