4t starting

**thorns** · 26th August 2012, 22:23

Got out to ride a few bikes in the weeked thanks to a mate from work.
Got to ride a KDX200, and a YZ250f.

Loved the 250f, BUT, man it was temperamental to start up.
Is there a particualr technique you need to use to fire these things up without kicking for 5 minutes on end?
Started easy cold first thing, but throughout the couple of hours of riding, if it stalled and was hot, even using the hot start lever, it would take a lot of swearing, cursing, and frustration before getting it back up running again.

Both myself and mate from work have never really used 4t's before, as it was borrowed from another friend for me to try out, so not sure if its standard, or we were doing soemthing wrong with kicking it?

From my experience in the weekend, would prefer a 4t as love the power delivery of them, but if thats what it takes to start them, not so keen.

Any suggestions or tips?

**barty5** · 26th August 2012, 23:27

normally a good hard clean kick that follows straight through dose it. if tuned right and hot start etc are all clean plugs not worn out they start fine finding TDC can help as well yuoll find you dont always need the hot start either and most like to be in netural.

**Pornstar** · 27th August 2012, 01:11

They hate being in gear for sure.

**scott411** · 27th August 2012, 06:53

Originally Posted by barty5

normally a good hard clean kick that follows straight through dose it. if tuned right and hot start etc are all clean plugs not worn out they start fine finding TDC can help as well yuoll find you dont always need the hot start either and most like to be in netural.

the trick with four strokes is to remember you have to turn the crank twice to get to the firing stroke, i good long clean kick is needed, on 250F's it does not need to be hard, but right from the top of the stroke of the kick start, you can not stab at them like you can at a two stroke, and if it is carb'd no thorttle when they are hot, and always out of gear,

**hayd3n** · 27th August 2012, 07:45

find top dead centre and give it a nice good kick
my 88xl250 starts every time first kick hot or cold
i hold clutch in

**F5 Dave** · 27th August 2012, 12:00

The early YZs were a pig, esp the (erm thinks) 01, apparently putting an 02 cam in them makes them easier to start.

A 6'4 mate had one & it stalled real easy so I'd stop my kdx every time as he kicked & kicked then give mine a quick flick to start it up, just to rub it in. Sometimes with my hand on the kicker.

& he had some leverage. I had no chance of starting his bike. He did meet some chap who had some technique of pushing the red button & taking the blue pill or some such witchcraft. I never listened 'cause it seemed like a total wind up but it helped.

Fortunately they blow themselves to bits so the problem isn't a long time frustration.

Semi modern 250 2 stroke will sort you out.

**takitimu** · 27th August 2012, 16:17

I believe Honda had their share of issues with the 250 4/ as well, until they went FI.

Personally I like hitting neutral & then a little red button by my throttle, my kickstart is in a box in the garage.

**Blagger** · 27th August 2012, 17:07

I don't know if what I do is finding top dead centre but +1 to kicking it over in neutral

I gently push it through 2-3 times until I feel the most resistance then let the starter come back up to just behind the top so as to give it a strong kick through - I jump right off the seat and give it everything if it's being a shit.

I find no throttle (if warm) but be ready to give it a wee blip if it's burbling a bit then dying.

Kicking over a 4T I'd give it about 3 or 4 times as much force as the 2T's I've ridden. Also if stopping regularly for a smoke or rest then choosing a spot at the top of a hill where you can crashstart it in 2nd is worth trying.. good luck

**flyingcr250** · 27th August 2012, 18:43

Originally Posted by takitimu

I believe Honda had their share of issues with the 250 4/ as well, until they went FI.

Personally I like hitting neutral & then a little red button by my throttle, my kickstart is in a box in the garage.

i think ive used a kick starter 5 times over the last 4 years, electric start is god

**meteor** · 27th August 2012, 19:57

My 08 CRF250R can be a bit of a tart at times! Cold easy! Hot, use the hot start, take the slack and then about 3-5mm more of throttle, in neutral and a good long strong kick. If that doesn't work... I'm fucked! Mine can't take the 'blip' on startup as it'll shut down flooded then I'll have to clear the carby and start again.
Love the bike, just gotta know how she wants to play. Can also stall a bit easy too coming down the revs. One day a FI model will be in the garage.

**motor_mayhem** · 27th August 2012, 21:10

Originally Posted by flyingcr250

i think ive used a kick starter 5 times over the last 4 years, electric start is god

As long as your bike still has a kick start that's great, but if you have an sxf with electrics on the fritz then it tends to burden your mates who have to tow start or push start you.

**flyingcr250** · 27th August 2012, 21:12

Originally Posted by motor_mayhem

As long as your bike still has a kick start that's great, but if you have an sxf with electrics on the fritz then it tends to burden your mates who have to tow start or push start you.

what else are friends for ??

**takitimu** · 27th August 2012, 22:21

Originally Posted by motor_mayhem

As long as your bike still has a kick start that's great, but if you have an sxf with electrics on the fritz then it tends to burden your mates who have to tow start or push start you.

My take is they are pretty reliable, I can believe you'd have issues with a bad battery/start it in gear/have a fan/dodgy starter motor, but otherwise I can't see how you'd run them flat to be honest, I've sat there for 2 minutes on the starter without it going flat ( my own fool fault, over oiled a air filter ) & been in places with alot of stopping and starting without even coming close to a flat battery.

I could be wrong, but I reckon the stator is pumping a fair bit of juice into the battery.

P.S. The only time my bike has been involved in towing it was doing the towing, towed a 300exc pretty well actually.

**Buddy L** · 28th August 2012, 07:14

With starting my bike i find, if i rush it, its only going to make it worse and take 3 times as long.

Stall bike while cold or not hot from hard riding
* find neutral
*find TDC (top dead centre)
*good long kick

Stall bike while hot (hard riding)
*find neutral
*find TDC
*hold in hot start
*good long kick

If your bike is a YZF of any early year 400, 426 etc don't stop anyone to help as you will only drain there life and take up half there day.
You have to wait for a solar eclipse before one of those will start if stalled.

**BoristheBiter** · 28th August 2012, 07:47

Originally Posted by Buddy L

With starting my bike i find, if i rush it, its only going to make it worse and take 3 times as long.

Stall bike while cold or not hot from hard riding
* find neutral
*find TDC (top dead centre)
*good long kick

Stall bike while hot (hard riding)
*find neutral
*find TDC
*hold in hot start
*good long kick

If your bike is a YZF of any early year 400, 426 etc don't stop anyone to help as you will only drain there life and take up half there day.
You have to wait for a solar eclipse before one of those will start if stalled.

I just pull clutch it, press red button.
why it took me so long to buy a bike with electric start i will never know.