Hi I have an 07 Beta Rev3 270 and have recently strained my back which makes kick starting the Beta a bit of a hassle. Hopefully my back will settle down bit if it doesn't which trials bikes are really easy kickers? thanks Mark
Sherco`s in general seem to kick easier and start right up. Gassers take too much energy. Hope the back issue goes away soon.
+1 on the Sherco. The 13's have a great shape to the KS as well that provides additional leverage. - Gassers - not so much - dont like the new design to the kicker either. The Beta 4T is just an easy push - probably less effort than any 2T this side of a 125.
But actually the Beta Rev 250 is an easy starter. Mine fires first or second kick, even after months parked.
Actually as someone who has had two back surgeries, I can say kicking a bike is often the most painful part of riding. Just something about that motion that aggravates your back.
My riding ability proves its the constant crashing. As far as an easy starting option, why not look at a smaller CC'd engine such as a GasGas 125 or similar?
It's difficult for me to lift my right foot high enough to kick start a motorcycle. The leg fatigues easily, any energy I expend starting the bike is that much less I have for riding. It's not going to get better. It's easier for me to kick my 350 Bultaco (left side kick) than my other bikes. What this world needs is an electric start Trials bike, a real one, not a 125 four stroke.
Is there a slope/hill handy where you ride so you can jump start it? I remember growing up on the farm there were two tractors that just absolutely had to be parked at the top of hills if you wanted to start them, batteries would not do the job, wondering if that is possible for your bike.
You can always click it into a higher gear to make it turn over easier on the Jump Start. I'm sure its more related the the High Compression ratio vs the gearing or possibly the clutch dragging. I can start my Beta (Techno 250) just by sitting (where a seat belongs ) and just pushing forward (in 3rd) and dropping the clutch. Being a Beta and if its a cold start I have to do the backward and forward rocking to free up the stuck clutch 1st. You may want to see if the clutch is completely free when you are kicking it over. Just a bit of clutch drag makes starting it a bitch.
Thanks everyone for the responses My Beta is actually generally a first kick starter (but its not interested in any form of crash starting - neither is my back...) and if every time I started it it was on flat dry ground I probably wouldn't have too much of a problem. However I seem to stall with monotonous regularity on the side of hills or on slippery off camber tracks where I have to go into awkward contortions to kick the bike and then my back lets me know all about it. I don't want a 125 as I like the torque of the 270. There is an evo 4T 300 on the market but its an 800 mile round trip to look at it and then I'd have to sell the 270 in what is a very quiet market - still it may be a better choice than continually aggravating a slow to heal injury or not riding my trials bike at all for a long period of time. I'm going to try going for a ride on my trail bike this weekend (electric start thankfully) and see how that goes - pity its so damn heavy. As was pointed out - the idea of some decent capacity electric start trials bike is certainly appealing but makes no commercial sense so it will never happen. Its also a pity electric trials bike technology isn't a bit more mature (as in economic) - that certainly would have some appeal thanks again Mark
I only have experience w/ an '05 Montesa 4RT - but I have always thought it was an easy to start motor.
I am aware of the low gearing, I was wondering if he could roll it with the clutch depressed in 5th or something. But thinking about it again, I am not sure it would be any easier on his back,. Plus if his clutch is like the one on the old Gas Gas I have it would drag to much to roll well anyway, never mind
thanks again everyone for the responses. I went out on the trailbike in the weekend and my back was way way better than the last time I tried so it was very very encouraging despite the odd hiccup. I'll give it another month and take the trials bike for a ride and see how I go with the kicker. Thank again Mark