Kick Starting

Benchie · Post by **Benchie** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 5:09 pm

I kick start my Buddy 125 on cold mornings all the time with no trouble. It usually starts on the 3rd kick. (Just doing my part to conserve the battery)
My problem is I have trouble getting the Buddy to start (kick start), after it's warmed up with a ride to the store, etc. I CAN start it fine with the push button start......no problem.
(It's a little embarrassing trying to kick start the Buddy in a parking lot and nothing happens.)

Any thoughts as to why it's harder to kick start a warmed up engine??

Benchie

jfrost2 · Post by **jfrost2** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 5:13 pm

I've noticed this too, I'm not sure why either. Then again they call it the "emergency kick starter" so I'm guessing they expect people to use the electric start normally all the time.

Orange Guy · Post by **Orange Guy** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 5:17 pm

Mine is just the opposite. 3-5 kicks to start initially, and then 1 kick for the rest of the day. Odd ...

Dooglas · Post by **Dooglas** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 6:34 pm

I've noticed that mine usually kick starts easier when cold (after sitting overnight) as compared to after sitting in a parking lot for half an hour. I think it might have something to do with when and under what circumstances the automatic choke engages.

Skootz Kabootz · Post by **Skootz Kabootz** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 7:21 pm

Dooglas wrote:I've noticed that mine usually kick starts easier when cold (after sitting overnight) as compared to after sitting in a parking lot for half an hour. I think it might have something to do with when and under what circumstances the automatic choke engages.

Same here.

nissanman · Post by **nissanman** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 10:05 pm

My guess would be something related to the auto-choke on the bike. Purely a guess at this point...

Racenut · Post by **Racenut** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 10:24 pm

When you turn the key or the switch off to shut off the bike, it just kills the spark. It turns over a few more times as it dies, no spark, but still fuel mixture coming in.

Trying to start warm, it's very easy to end up with a "flooded" condition.

Mine was sitting for a couple weeks since we've had rain. Battery was weak. Electric wouldn't start it alone. I use the kick start AND the button. Once you get it past the initial compression stroke with the kick starter, the electric has a much easier time keeping it going and it starts right up.

Benchie · Post by **Benchie** » Sun Mar 08, 2009 11:02 pm

Ah-h-h-h.......I knew somebody would come up with a fairly logical explanation. Makes sense to me.

Thanks,
Benchie

enzomatic · Post by **enzomatic** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 2:16 am

hmmm I had the same experience all morning on our group ride. Haven't ridden in about a week, didn't get spark this morning when I went out there, started right up with the kick though. Rode it to the meet after warming it up and grabbed some coffee, took like 20 kicks to start it. Did the group ride for 3 hours or so then stopped for lunch, tried to kick it started after that but as I was holding the bike I accidentally hit the starter and it started right up. Now I know why.

fretman · Post by **fretman** » Mon Mar 09, 2009 5:25 am

Mine usually starts by the 3rd kick regardless of temp, unless I'm trying to show someone how easy it is to do - then it takes 10 or 12 tries, and sometimes won't start at all