Topic: Length of Kickstart?

[robdrobd]

Do they make after market kickstarters that are longer in length, and where can I get one? Seems like the longer the better for ease of starting.

[754]

 You can start a 750 easily with your hand!

 Seen a lot of shorter ones, never a longer one.

 Try using it you will see.

[honda750k]

these kickers are quite sufficient from the factory honestly.   kickstart FTW!

Now try kickstarting an RD350, so easy you can GRAZE the kicker and it'll start without trying really.

[Gordon]

Seems like the longer the better for ease of starting.

The longer the lever is the slower you'll be cranking the engine with each kick, which would make it less likely that the engine would start.  After using the kick starters exclusively for several years on my 750 and 550 I'd say the Honda engineers got the length exactly right for the perfect combination of ease of kicking and speed of engine rotation. 

[robdrobd]

Seems like the longer the better for ease of starting.

The longer the lever is the slower you'll be cranking the engine with each kick, which would make it less likely that the engine would start.  After using the kick starters exclusively for several years on my 750 and 550 I'd say the Honda engineers got the length exactly right for the perfect combination of ease of kicking and speed of engine rotation. 

I am glad you said this. When you went exclusively with the kick start, did you remove the electric starter? I am trying to go for a minimalist look and was thinking of nixing the electric start all together. Do you see any problems with doing that, and can I eliminate the entire on/off and button housing from my handle bars?

[Gordon]

I am glad you said this. When you went exclusively with the kick start, did you remove the electric starter? I am trying to go for a minimalist look and was thinking of nixing the electric start all together. Do you see any problems with doing that, and can I eliminate the entire on/off and button housing from my handle bars?

Nope.  The starter motors are still there, they just don't work anymore and I never bothered to fix them.  Lots of people have gotten rid of the starter motors, though.  You just remove it and plug the hole. 

[Sporkfly]

I left the electric in case I stall it in stop and go traffic (carpal tunnel, my hand gets tired on the clutch). I opt for neutral and scoot along in most bad construction. If it's a flagger and I'm stopped for a long time I kill the bike and use the electric start when it's my turn so I can leave it in gear.

But when it comes right down to it that kicker is seriously bad. I've had so many compliments about the bike when I kick it over vs. the electric start.