Do I need kick start?
 

:confused1: Techies, overlanders out there, i've got an electric start '02 XT600e. For an overland trans-Africa trip, is it worth having kick start fitted? If so, know of a supplier of such a kit, or is it a breaker's job??c?

Cheers,
Disco

Same situation here, 2001 600e
I just put in a new battery and I'll just trust my electric starter. Maybe I'm gonna buy a solar battery charger just in case...

IMHO that a new battery and you are good to go. You didn't mention where you were going trans africa but the majority of the riders going through africa are riding only with electric start. Unless the '02 XT's are notorious for ther unreliable starting (in which case I would recommend taking a different bike), putting on aftermarket kick start is overkill.

remember that you can always jump start a bike if needed, have even managed it on a 250 kg plus bike on flat ground (very, very tiring)

oops, meant bump start. I took a cable that had a cigarette lighter attachment on one end with a torch built-in-meant that I could run the torch off the bike battery and also stick the lighter end into a car or truck and jump start the bike from their batt.

Bump starting singles is not easy
 

You might like to read this thread:-
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ic-start-31595
including post number 12.

I have never come to a firm view on your question, but, as someone once pointed out, it is a bitch to bump start any bike in sand or mud :rolleyes2: .

I've put a kickstart on my XT600E...and don't regret doing it! I' am maybe going to put a manual decompressor on it but ain't sure yet...:thumbup1:

The kickstart is a plus in my opinion..doesn't hurt to have it on but it sure does when it's needed and you don't have one!

The big problem with many modern bikes with electronic ignition or engine management systems is that they need stable battery power to work. The only way is to use jump leads. You cant generate enough power kicking them. Unlike older Triumphs where to start with a flat battery, all you had to do was switch from 'ign' to 'emg' and that put you on an energy transfer system, once started the motor would bring up the battery voltage in less than a minute enough to switch back to normal ignition.

Hi... my battery is flat(it's wasted btw) and the kickstart does make it turn on...... just needs some practice on the kick :innocent:

Vando

My 3Aj with the twin headlights flattens the battery in 10 minutes if I forget them on. I put a kickstart on and have never looked back. Trying to bump start a bike with panniers on. Or will you remove them 20 times a day everytime you switch of your bike to take in the wonders and views? Bumping - Panniers - You are asking for trouble. The last thing you want on a trip is to physically hurt yourself. Riding long distance on a bike in pain is not fun. Getting caught in africa with a broken leg.... oh man. Bye bye bike, trip, everything.

Take care. Experience with Enfields and Urals would suggest that the decompressor or cable is a more likely source of problems than the electrics. Given the reliability of Yam wiring i'd save the cash and the issues involved with an extra hole in the gearbox, extra cables, lean mixtures from worn seals etc. You can always give the plug a quarter turn out if the engine is cold and doesn't want to play, in effect a temporary decompressor.

I didn't have my XT long enough to find out if this is possible, but can you put a socket and ratchet on the flywheel/generator? I've started sidecar outfits that way when unsucessful bumping was going to leave me with a horrible up hill push. In conditions too slippy to bump this might work?

If the bike comes with a kickstart, good, if it doesn't why worry IMHO.

Andy

As a field based geologist in a past life, my experience of africa and life nearly came to a grinding halt, when the 4x4 I was in, battery ran flat because I was using it to power the tent light. Coupled to this the "well" for water I found, wasn't a well, it was an abondoned french drain. Hoo Haa and with a squirt. No chance of push starting a 4x4 on your ace, chronic food poisoning and no water. 5 days on 2 litres of water, a couple of cans of coke and a bag of granny smith apples. The doctors say I was a medical marvel, the doctors are wrong, I died a million times. It's always the little stupid things that catch you out. Never falling off, never being attacked by a mob or whatever the general fear is the order of the day. The stupid and avoidable things. Dont take an avoidable chance.

being able to get out of a place is more important than being able to get in.

Hi andy. you're reffering to the automatic decompressor... I'm talking of a Manual decompressor...

The manual decompressor only has the decompressor valve on top of the cylinder head, a cable and a small bicycle-lever that fits on the handlebar...

If I could get my hands on a WR400 decompressor lever or one from another bike that would be even better :innocent:

Vando

Decompressor really not neded
 

All.

If you are using a retro-fitted kick start as an emergency back up, and are average hight and build you will get by fine without the decompressor, I do.

Mark

I do fine without the decompressor... but doubt my mother or even my father could kickstart it without the decompressor....they also ride the bike from time to time :thumbup1:

Vando

Your Mom rides the XT? Top girl !

Hi Vando,

I was thinking manual. Don't know about the WR400 but on Bullets when the cable snaps the end drops in the cylinder. If the cable doesn't snap, the plunger spring allows the plunger to bounce and wear it's seat until you've got a leak and a very easy to start, but only 3 HP Bullet. I'm not big, but can start a 500 single without needing the hole in the top, hence my idea I wouldn't like extra springs, cables etc.

Still, the hole's useful for keeping your spare plug within easy reach and confuses the heck out of the classic bike crowd who think you've twin plugged the beast and have an HT lead off :clap:

Andy

The bike is her's! lol but I might gonna convince her to put it in my name :clap: AND I was also teaching my gf how to ride it before I came here to study...

Andy.... If you put a manual decompresser(on the XT600E I don't know what is "Bullets"), the valve cable is totally on the outside of the engine and the only thing on the inside is the valve that goes into the cylinder head on the right...


Vando :thumbup1:

for what its worth i did london to cape town (west coast) on my 2001 xt600e. No kick start. fitted a new battery before leaving and it lasted till namibia- 4 months. i had a cigarette lighter for charging stuff but only used it when on the move.

fortunately when it went there was a car to hand with jump leads. It would have been more tricky in central africa!

i guess it a question of managing risk and what your prepared to spend up front. If i were to do the trip on my own again i would seriously think about it.

have a great trip!!

And check this out... I posted it yesterday. it's the parts you'll need to put the kickstart..... http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...ck-start-30064

the only thing is that on the newer XT600E the kickstart hole isn't just covered with a cap anymore...now you'll have to take that engine side cover to a good mechanical shop so they can make the hole and do it perfectly...

I've seen it been done on a webpage someone posted here on the hubb but I don't remember it.....

Vando

Cheers for everyone's contributions..:thumbup1:

Due to the expense, I'll chance my luck on a Yuasa battery and fly without the K-start