Let us now praise kickstarters

[slvrsprint]

Back in the 70's, I used to ride my CJ360 to work most days.  OWhen leaving work on the nicest days, I would see a co-worker in the parking lot kicking his HD.  I would take my time tying on my lunch pail and putting on my helmet.  He would still be kicking when the weight of my boot would fire up my Honda.  I'd nod and ride off.  Somewhere on the 20 mile ride home, he would fly by me too cool to wave.  

Every bike I've owned since has had the magic button.  I've jumped or bump started a few times, but never missed the kick.

[atadaskew]

I kick start my PX all the time.

Really easy when cold.  Or hot.
But when cool..  I then push the e start.

[SoCalFJR]

Anybody that wants a kick start has simply never owned a Honda XL600...........the most cursed beast in the world to start........

[greasemonkey79]

I have vivid memories of the sole of my foot being so sore it hurt to walk from trying to kick start the POS dirtbikes we had when we were younger.
I don't miss kickstarters one bit.
The nastalgic side of me would like an old bike with a kicker but the non-braindead side of me loves that magic button.

My heated grips are wired to a switched circuit so my battery is never dead from forgetting to turn them off.    

[sagerat]

True, on a cold day the Ural can warm me twice.  With the oil thickened, it can take 4-8 kicks before the engine lights.  And if it's still being stubborn, I hit the magic button.

But on average, I use the kickstarter about 95% of the time to start the bike.  

[Redfox]

EEEK!  
  I had a Matchless single without a real air filter. I do not miss  Amal carbs, ticklers, ammeters, compression releases, oil tank caps, or kick starters one bit at all!

[hazra]

I have vivid memories of the sole of my foot being so sore it hurt to walk from trying to kick start the POS dirtbikes we had when we were younger.

I remember breaking a boot sole in half on an old CR once.  Not fun!

[mjrfd99]

Anybody that wants a kick start has simply never owned a Honda XL600...........the most cursed beast in the world to start........

Absofrickenloutely.  One of the few I don't miss.

[bubba zanetti]

1991 DR 650 ... ouch.  

[black hills]

Anybody that wants a kick start has simply never owned a Honda XL600...........the most cursed beast in the world to start........

I din't think my '84 XL600 was as bad as my '87 XR600, but maybe my memory was just bad?? the KTM 300 kicks really easy

[Kneescrubber]

I can't believe you guys are such pussies to use a kickstart. The true manly way to start a motorcycle is to push it.

[atadaskew]

I can't believe you guys are such pussies to use a kickstart. The true manly way to start a motorcycle is to push it.

Wuss.

I just put the bike in gear, pick up the back end with my left hand, and spin the tyre with my right hand.

[Kneescrubber]

Well that would work too. But I'd be afraid of getting my fingers caught in the chain.

[hazra]

A REAL biker would simply spin the output shaft with his teeth, then jump the chain back on with two fingers.  In gear. Without spilling his beer or knocking his girlfriend off the pillion.

 

[siclmn]

I will never forget how my 250 Yahama would kick back and rap my heel so hard I think it still hurts. And this was the early 80's.