If you are like me, sometimes your bike is hard to start and its frustrating. I slowed down to think about the process to kick start your bike.
First, turn on the gas and make sure the ignition is on for your bike. Pull out the kicker on your bike and find top dead center by feeling the compression increase. Turn on the choke, if it’s cold, and start kicking your bike until the motorcycle runs.
The action seems simple until you think about all the steps and what goes into them. We will break this process down into more detail for you now and give additional points to make kicking starting your bike easy.
Steps To Kick Start A Dirt Bike
This part of the post will walk you through the detailed process of how to kick start your bike. Note though, you may have to make a few adjustments based on the bike you ride. There are some nuances for each model and even the model year.
Step 1. Find neutral
Your first step in starting your bike with a kick start is finding neutral. New riders may find this tricky as neutral is the click between first and second gear.
To find neutral click the shifter down multiple times. Once you do this, try clicking the gear shifter up halfway in between first and second. Roll your bike back and forth about 6 inches to a foot.
If it does not roll, then you are not in neutral.
Pro-Tip: Sometimes the dirt bike will not always get to first gear even when you press the shifter down several times. I will click it down three or four times and then roll it before pressing the shifter down another few times. This helps ensure you get into first gear.
Exceptions To The Neutral Location On Dirt Bikes
Some dirt bikes that have neutral “at the bottom” of the gears. A normal dirt bike transmission looks like the following pattern.
| Action | Gear |
| Press Up A Fourth Click | Fifth Gear |
| Press Up Third Click | Fourth Gear |
| Press Up Second Click | Third Gear |
| Press Up 1 click | Second Gear |
| Press Up 1/2 click | Neutral |
| Press Down Once | First Gear |
Most Chinese dirt bikes have the following pattern. If you own a Chinese dirt bike and it has the normal shifting pattern, the dirt bike is likely a replica of a Japanese model.
| Action | Gear |
| Press Up Five Times | Fifth Gear |
| Press Up four Time | Fourth Gear |
| Press Up Three Times | Third Gear |
| Press Up Twice | Second Gear |
| Press Up Once | First Gear |
| Shift down until the bike can roll | Neutral |
Why is finding neutral on your dirt bike important?
If you do not find neutral, you risk the bike lurching forward when you kick it over. It could pull a shoulder or arm muscle as you will not be expecting the bike to move.
Pro-Tip: You can create a backup to help prevent the bike from lurching forward. If you have a clutch on your bike, pull it in as you kick the bike over. NOTE this is not a replacement for making sure the bike is in neutral. This is extra insurance to prevent you from having the bike move as you kick it over.
Step 2. Pre-Kick Checklist
Without completing the pre-kick checklist your bike will not start. Make sure you complete each task.
- Turn on the Gas– Your bike needs gas to run, make sure it is on. You will find the petcock (on/off) usually on the left-hand side of your bike. The petcock will be in the on position when the lever is inline with the fuel hose coming out of the valve. It should also say on, but I have had a few that did not.
Pro-Tip: If the valve swings around 180 degrees so it looks like the valve has two settings with the lever being in line with the fuel line, you likely have a reserve setting. Make sure you check this out before you just turn it to one setting and go.
- Choke the dirt bike– If the weather is below 60 degrees, always choke your bike before the first kick. The choke will be a knob you can pull that makes starting your dirt bike on cold days easier.
Note though, the choke will look different and found in different positions for each dirt bike. If you are lucky enough to have a dirt bike with electronic fuel injection, you will skip this step. The computer makes the adjustments that a choke does.
- Turn on the ignition– This feature pertains to modern dirt bikes. Not every dirt bike has an ignition. If they made your bike after 2003 make sure you know if your bike needs a key. My 1993 CR250 does not have a key or ignition switch.
You need to make sure this is on because the coils will not send a spark if the ignition is not in the on position.
- Put your kickstand or center stand up. Do not ask me why this is important. Ok, I guess I have to tell you. Once I tried starting my RM 125 as a teenager while standing on the pegs. The kickstand was down, and I thought things would be ok as I kicked the bike over.
Long story short, I ended up losing my grip and my left foot slipped off the peg. I fell off the bike, and it fell on top of me.
Step 3. Find Top Dead Center
While finding top dead center is unnecessary, I find it helpful to know where the bike is in intake, compression, ignition, and exhaust. If you just start kicking your bike over, it can be more difficult to start.
By knowing where the stroke is, you can time when you need to give a little extra gas to start. This mainly applies to used bikes and older bikes.
I also feel like it builds momentum further into the kicking stroke as you press the kick starter down. As you get past the initial compression at the weak part of your kick, the momentum builds creating enough inertia to turn the crank over a few more times from the same kick.
This is not scientific by any means, but it is what I have noticed from riding dirt bikes for over 30 years.
Finding Top Dead Center On Dirt Bike Engine
Top dead center will be tough the first few times you look for it. The easiest way to find it is by slowly kicking your bike over and noticing the pattern of resistance and easy as the motor turns over.
The resistance you notice is the motor building compression. Right after the peak of compression the easy part of the cycle starts.
It is coming up on the last part of the compression when the motor is top dead center.
Give it time and slow down while starting your bike the next few times you go riding. You will see what I mean.
Pro-Tip: If your bike has a large displacement (anything greater than 350 cc’s) be extra careful. These dirt bikes are known to kick back and break legs. Look for a decompression valve. These provide relief on the compression stroke making the dirt bike easier to turn over.
Step 4. Start Kicking Over The Dirt Bike Motor
If you have been following the steps so far, you have already completed a few slow kicks.
Now you put some effort into it. Do not kick as hard as you can. Your foot can slip off and twist an ankle. Yep, I did this too, and I’ll save you the story.
Step 5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4.
Try completing steps 3 and 4 several times. If the bike does not start, you may have flooded the bike. This means there is too much fuel and not enough air to start the bike.
Pro-Tip: If you noticed the smell of gas you flooded the bike. Open the throttle and hold it wide open for 30 seconds. This may help. If not, you have a problem somewhere else. Checkout this article I wrote to help diagnose the issue.
Differences Kick Starting A 4-Stroke and 2-Stroke Dirt Bike
You will notice a few differences in kicking over a 4-stroke dirt bike versus a 2-stroke dirt bike. The best thing I can say is give it time.
The four-stroke engine has to go through more strokes before it gets back to compression. A 2-stroke dirt bike gets there quickly.
How To Start A Dirt Bike Without Kick Start
Sometimes it will be tough to kick over your bike. If it has a carburetor and NOT fuel injected, you can make it run with a bump start.
https://youtu.be/wtwMmXHtZ84
Basically, you get the motorcycle moving quickly by having it roll down downhill or by someone pushing you. Make sure the fuel is on.
Once you get the dirt bike rolling quickly shift up into second gear which starts turning over the motor. Many times the engine will start running at this point.
Additionally, you can put your bike into second gear, then start pushing it. Some riders prefer this method as they only have to let out the clutch.
Advantage of A Kick Start Over An Electric Start On A Dirt Bike
Most modern dirt bikes (non-motocross) do not have a kick start. They have an electric start. To add it as an option, it can cost $500.
I still prefer a kick start. If starting is mechanical, then I need not worry about electrical problems.
It saves weight because you do not have a starter or battery.
Time for me to ride. Get out there and get after it!