Modern Buddy

I started trying to use my kickstart recently not only to make sure I'm used to how well it works but just in case I end up with a dead battery someday, I want to be in good practice. I noticed that if it's going to work, it usualy is on the first shot or not at all. I've made it to 5 in a row first shot starts so far but today on #6, no go. So my record is 5.

Does anyone else use the kickstart regularly and how goofy am I for keeping track?

On my Kymco it was horrid... sometimes 10+ times I had to try. The Genuine however, it's only one, maybe two times tops on my Roughouse. I don't use the electric starter unless it dies while I'm on it, and that has only happened once during a tune.

Usually it takes 2-3 tops for the kickstart to well, start. On second thought, maybe 1 to 2 as well. Most likely it's due to something piddly like me forgetting to keep the kill switch in the right position.

I'll do it about once every six weeks just to enjoy the experience.

I do it once of twice a week just so I know it works, and so I don't forget how to do it just in case I need it. Once or twice... It's about 50-50. However, if it won't do it by the third, its just not going to.

Mutt the Hoople wrote:However, if it won't do it by the third, its just not going to.

I also notice it takes more revs from the electric starter after I fail at kicking than if I was to just use the electric start right out of the gate, I have to assume flooding (carb/50)?

I hardly ever get it on the first, but mine is 4t so it has to be in the exact right position, or it moves the gears?

The Buddy (125, at least) is one of the easiest kickstarts I've ever tried. My Stella does pretty good on a first kick too most of the time.

On my Kymcos I usually will kick start once a week to keep the mechanism moving. If the first attempt the gas has to get primed via the vacuum with either the electric or kick start. They usually will kick start easier once the scoot has been already running. If the battery status weak will kick start not to drain the battery. As long as gas and plug in good shape starting either wat not bad. Usually only a few kicks should do it even if the scoot cold.

My Vino 125 kickstarts on the first try when cold as long as there is SeaFoam in the fuel/carb that morning.

Takes forever on warm starts though. I usually give up after 10 tries and hit the electric starter

My Stella starts with one kick pretty much all the time. Once in a while I'll slip a little or have a bad stance and it doesn't take, but I'd say 90% I get it no problem.

A hint about kick starting: Lightly push down on the kicker until you feel an increase in resistance (this means the piston is coming up on the compression stroke). Once you feel the resistance let the kicker return to the top most position THEN give it a good full kick. If you just flip out the arm and starting kicking you may be wasting kicks to get to the compression stroke which is when the spark plug will fire.

This thread is a good reminder though to do it at least once in a while to keep in practice. I frankly forget the thing even has a kick starter and always use the electric.

My most impressive kick start story was my wife's Buddy. After sitting for three or four months it started on first kick (I didn't even try the electric starter as I knew the battery was dead). As I was getting ready to try and start it I told my wife that I would be surprised if it starts. I was shocked when it fired right off.

SuperFlyBuddy wrote:A hint about kick starting: Lightly push down on the kicker until you feel an increase in resistance (this means the piston is coming up on the compression stroke). Once you feel the resistance let the kicker return to the top most position THEN give it a good full kick. If you just flip out the arm and starting kicking you may be wasting kicks to get to the compression stroke which is when the spark plug will fire.

Thanks for the tip. I remembered there was a trick to it, but I couldn't remember what it was.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/oZA9JGmFqnI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Someday, I'll do a demo in daylight!

[quote="SuperFlyBuddy"]A hint about kick starting: Lightly push down on the kicker until you feel an increase in resistance (this means the piston is coming up on the compression stroke). Once you feel the resistance let the kicker return to the top most position THEN give it a good full kick. If you just flip out the arm and starting kicking you may be wasting kicks to get to the compression stroke which is when the spark plug will fire.

Thanks know I know. Wish I knew yesterday I was starting my people after
it ran out of gas and took a lot more kicking, and electric starting attempts than usual to get gas moving to the carb so maybe the plug was not in the firing zone. Gave it a dose of seafoam after it started anyway with the new
gas.

If you have problems with a stubborn carb, and have to wail on the kick starter, I find it useful to stand behind the scooter, hold on the rear rack, and kick with the left foot. This allows you to give quick consecutive kicks.

And don't forget to make sure the kill switch is off...

I can't get past 3 in a row now that I posted this. Jinx!

At a local dealership, I was watching some guy try to kickstart a Blur 220...

I was on the other side, so I couldn't tell whether he was trying to use the kickstand or the center stand, but thankfully someone else saved me from an awkward convo. I wouldn't have minded except for the fact that he was loudly (and repeatedly) complaining about it's location and inaccessibility and awfully poor design.

They informed the poor guy that whatever he was doing...he was doing it wrong.

Back when Iron Buddy had a kick starter, it was still a frustrating thing to try. To me, it seem obvious that they were never meant to be kick started. Having to be standing behind and beside the bike is absurd. You should be able to kick start a bike while mounted, like motorcycles and Stellas.

Just my opinion,

Howard

I used to have a 2008 Buddy, and when the battery was going dead I kickstarted it several times...never had an issue.

Well, a couple of days ago, I had a dead battery on my 2009 -- I had left my alarm switch on and had not ridden that scooter in 14 days (I have a little pocket notebook I keep in the pet carrier of each scooter so I know when I ride them, do maintenance, get gas, etc.), and it refused to start no matter how many times I tried...never even made a sound like it was interested in trying to start.

So that day I rode my other Buddy while putting that one on the Battery Tender Jr. The next day it started right up again...and also started up right away on the way home. I was wondering if it was time to finally get a new battery, but maybe not yet!

Edwub wrote:At a local dealership, I was watching some guy try to kickstart a Blur 220.

I thought they were electric-fuel-injected and thus had no kick starter. Maybe he was indeed jumping on the kickstand....

Edwub wrote:At a local dealership, I was watching some guy try to kickstart a Blur 220...

I was on the other side, so I couldn't tell whether he was trying to use the kickstand or the center stand, but thankfully someone else saved me from an awkward convo. I wouldn't have minded except for the fact that he was loudly (and repeatedly) complaining about it's location and inaccessibility and awfully poor design.

They informed the poor guy that whatever he was doing...he was doing it wrong.

You had me going there. I never noticed a kicker on the Blur and was puzzled.

About that EFI or kicker thing, I don't know that it's always true. The new Royal Enfields are all EFI and some have kickstarters.

If properly set up, no small displacement bike should be hard to kick over if you are used to the 'personality' of the individual machine. The advice to roll the kick starter to the sweet spot was right on. Other than that it's a matter of learning when to choke and how much. And I would normally add to blip the throttle but don't know if that's a good idea with CVT bikes.

michelle_7728 wrote:
So that day I rode my other Buddy while putting that one on the Battery Tender Jr. The next day it started right up again...and also started up right away on the way home. I was wondering if it was time to finally get a new battery, but maybe not yet!

You can check the battery with a volt meter after shutting it off several hours. The battery should read 12.7V - 12.8V for full charge status. If you do not have a meter you can bring it into Advance or Autozone and they can check it out. Unless it will not hold a charge may not be ready to replace yet.