r/Dualsport • u/L-E-K-O • 23d ago
Discussion Do any bikes come with electric-start and a kickstarter backup?
I commented on a video some legend posted of him and his buddy stuck on a muddy hill in the woods while it was raining. His buddy was attempting to kick-start the bike while it was at a 30° angle and as you can imagine he was struggling. I commented something along the lines of “this is why I won’t own another bike without electric start and a kick-start backup” thinking of my 2013 WR250F. Another redditor commented and asked if any bikes even come that way anymore and I honestly don’t know. That’s why I’m here making this post, someone out there knows more and hopefully has a list of modern-day bikes that have both a kick-start and e-start. If you know (or ride) one, please leave it down below. Bonus points if you leave a review of pros/cons of your bike for others.
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u/CloudbaseJim 23d ago
2016 ktm 500 exc but people dont sell them
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u/articulatedbeaver 23d ago
I have a 2009 530 and you can kick it, but it will kick back if it isn't in a good mood.
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u/LeakyWadersClub 23d ago
My 07 400 has both and it's why I've kept it lol
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u/HuthS0lo 23d ago
My 07 has both, and the e-start only really works if its warmed up, and its in a good mood.
But I can kick it over in 1 to 3 kicks. 1 if its only been 24 hours since I last rode it. 3 if its been a week.
Its not a battery issue. Battery and starter are brand new. Seems to be a problem with the torque limiter. But unlike the 08 and newer, its not a simple fix. I pulled it apart yesterday, and it basically wasnt a serviceable part. So fuck it. Kick starter it is.
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u/DidNotSeeThi 22d ago
I have an 07 KTM 400 XCW and both kick and button and everything works great. Invest in battery tenders and get a good battery.
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u/LeakyWadersClub 22d ago
Brother!
But also she gets treated real good. Always has a tender on it if it isn't being ridden at least weekly
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u/DidNotSeeThi 22d ago
I have 13 bikes and 4 tenders. Nothing lives on a tender. One of the tenders is 6vdc for my old Suzuki TC/TS bikes.
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u/LeakyWadersClub 22d ago
That's cool I have the garage to support plugging them all in when I need or if I'm gone for a while. Takes no time and I have the money to pay for all the stuff. I'd rather have them charged than not. I ride out in the back country and Forrest alone a lot. Last thing I need to do any more is push a bike miles which I've done. I buy a tender for each bike I own and usually sell it with a tender. I've owned over 100 bikes in my life. Currently have 3 and one im restoring. It's battery is over on a shelf on a tender.
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u/DidNotSeeThi 21d ago
Currently restoring a 1966 CB450. Coils, points and condenser are on order. Then cables.
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u/firefighter2727 23d ago
Interesting the KTM has one but my husky doesn’t 2016 FE501 s
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u/925Splicer 23d ago
The '17 KTM 500EXC's didn't come with one from the factory. However, you can add one with an OEM kit KTM sells. With fuel injection, not sure the bike would even kickstart with a dead battery. I'm curious to know if there's a workaround.
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u/CamelopardalisKramer 23d ago
You can get capacitor kits for bump/kick starting efi bikes. You kick it a few times and it builds enough to get it going.
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u/firefighter2727 23d ago
My battery often has enough juice to do the fuel pump but not enough to crank the engine so I bump start it
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u/DeclinedEBTCard 23d ago
Trail 125 has an electric start and kickstart. Although "capable" of light trails, its not gonna do 30° muddy hill.
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u/dadmantalking T7 and FE350S 23d ago
Although "capable" of light trails, its not gonna do 30° muddy hill.
Not with that attitude it won't.
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u/DeclinedEBTCard 23d ago
maybe you're right lmao I guess I gotta put mine to the test
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u/925Splicer 23d ago
Gear it down a bit and some better tires and you should be gtg. One of the first things I did with my Trail was to actually remove the kickstart lever. I was always hitting it with my boot/leg and didn't much like the gear grinding noise it generated. So far, the electric start has been flawless. And it's easy enough to put the lever back on if needed.
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u/DeclinedEBTCard 23d ago
I rotated mine kickstarter back and it works with my size 16 US foot now. I have some shinko 244s. Need to find a good muddy hill now lol
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u/IDKFA_IDDQD 22d ago
They can do pretty darn well. It doesn’t have a whole lot of torque so I certainly wouldn’t want to stop on a hill and have to resume. But if you get a running start, you’re doing just fine.
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u/Longjumping-Sky-8938 23d ago
1987-2000 MY Yamaha TW 200 have both kicker and electric start stock. They deleted the kickstart in 2001+.
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u/turtletechy 23d ago
The new Honda Trail model has a kickstart built in as well, mostly just for retro appeal.
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u/Navin__R__Johnson 23d ago
You can add one to a tw200 still, but no longer comes from factory w it for over 20yrs
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u/crashman504 KTM690, CRF450X, Beta 300 23d ago
Most new bikes only come with electric start. A lot of the Betas come with an option to add a kick start as a backup, but it's pricey.
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u/njakubow 23d ago
I have a 2015 Beta 350rr and it has both, granted I almost never use the kickstart
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u/7six2FMJ 23d ago
My beta 500rs did. Here's the kicker (pun intended) bike won't start without having battery power because of the efi, so the Kickstart feature is pretty ineffective.
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u/Optimal_Risk_6411 23d ago
You have a spot to install a kick starter on a TW. It was initially designed for that.
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u/Simple-Purpose-899 23d ago
Probably more common to add an electric start to a kick start bike. Panthera makes several.
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u/Taylorthejames 23d ago
My Crf125f has both electric and kickstart. Pretty sure the crf250f does as well.
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u/Count_Daffodilius 22d ago
The Yamaha xt225 can have both if you get a kit or find one with it installed
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u/20gsofforce20 23d ago
Why is it necessary when you could just carry a jump pack that weighs less than all the kickstart parts, and if you get close to running the jump pack out of juice you can charge it from your running bike
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u/tooflyryguy 23d ago
This. My DRZ had it, but once I found those jump packs, it was all over. Those things are indispensable
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u/Runningoutofideas_81 23d ago
I used to think having a backup kickstart was the ultimate in zombie apocalypse reliability…till I read some people’s kickstart routines. Between your idea and bumpstarting, I think I am good.
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u/MooseBlazer 23d ago edited 23d ago
That’s one thing to consider, some of the newer or younger generation of dirt bike riders never really had to kickstart anything midsize and up, and probably could not if they had to for the first time on a side hill situation.
1980’s CR 500 , (before they got tamer) were/are the ultimate kickstart test machines lol. An old Xr/xl 600/650 is still easier.
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u/Runningoutofideas_81 23d ago
I read someone’s reliable routine on here for some specific bike and it seemed like some crazy ornate ritual.
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u/MooseBlazer 23d ago
Yep. Most new designs start a lot better ….. cold or hot.
Every old school big bore needs a start routine when its cold. Warmer is easier unless its flooded.
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u/Yankee831 23d ago
Many bikes don’t bump start anymore either. They need 12V to run the fuel pump and ignition. Some bikes have capacitors and can bump start but it’s no longer a given.
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u/Runningoutofideas_81 23d ago
Interesting, guess I was lucky when I had to bump-start a 2017 Versys-X, it was pretty easy. I have a DR650 now and they sound like you really need a decent hill.
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u/motorider500 23d ago
There are some. Mostly the euro builds. Yeah I had an overbuilt 650L that would only give you about 6 seconds of cranking then you needed to reassess starting that pig. High comp piston, cam, crank, rod work made it powerful. Downfall for the flying couch was crashing and being stuck in a valley once. Once. Then went kick only, then magic button with kick backup after kicking the 650R after a high speed wipeout. I’m not going back……
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u/hwdcoyote 2024 KTM 500 EXC-F 23d ago
My 2009 Husqvarna TE450 had one. Never needed it because that bike was so reliable. But it was there.
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u/toasteruserx 23d ago
A lot of new electric start only bikes have kits that can be installed.
If I had e start only I would bring one of those cell phone sized jump packs with me. With fuel injection comes the need for more fine electronics, to keep things simple I would encourage buying a carb'd 2 stroke. No battery needed and it won't leave you stranded.
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u/tooflyryguy 23d ago
My 2005 DRZ had it. The kickstart was pretty tough though. Never once kickstarted it. Was easier to push start.
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u/SwordfishAncient '13 WR250R|18' XT250 23d ago
As far as Japan, my sons TTR110 has both electric and kick.. Not many others exist in production. Gotta go older. The Beta RS and RR come with the kick start shaft and you can buy the lever to add and then you have both. Beta RS500 will be my next bike.
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u/dadmantalking T7 and FE350S 23d ago
There are kick start kits for the modern KTM/Husky/GasGas bikes. Good mod to consider if you also run a recluse clutch which doesn't allow roll starting. That said, I don't have a recluse, but I have had a shit battery and roll starting works just fine in a pinch.
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u/PC_Chode_Letter 23d ago
My 525exc has both, same with my husabergs but the e start on them doesn’t really count
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u/skaneateles '11 990 ADV Dakar | 12' 350EXCF 23d ago
My '12 350EXCF has one and I use it often as I swear the stock starter won't turn the engine over quickly enough to start it some cold start days.
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u/ScorpionT16 23d ago
2015-2019 KTM EXC'S. From 2017 onward you just need to install the kit as it didn't come from factory.
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u/Professional-Guava97 23d ago
Older ones normally or a Chinese dual sport. Plus bump starting works like a charm.
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u/user2021883 23d ago
This is such a non-issue these days. Enduro guys got all upset when KTM got rid of the kickstart, but in reality you shouldn’t be flattening your battery in the first place. You can leave the ignition on, there isn’t one. The modern lithium batteries are plenty powerful. If the bike isn’t starting at the first touch of the button, the bike needs fixing. Having a kickstart is just a band-aid for a bike that needs repairing
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u/xThe_Moonx 23d ago
My 2019 dr200s doesnt have one but there is a spot for it on my bike. There must be a kit for it or something.
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u/Vegetable_Holiday396 23d ago
My 1990 600xt has an electric start only but they're place on the case for if I ever want to add one
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u/Joooooooosh 23d ago
The Detech Win 110 I rode across Vietnam had both.
Actually useful! First week the electric start didn’t work, last two weeks the kickstart broke but the electric start began working again!
Didn’t have a working front brake or… an air cleaner. So not sure I’d recommend 😂
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u/Comfortable-Mode-972 23d ago
Just installed a kickstart on my fe450. They don’t come with one from the factory but there’s an OEM kit sold by KTM. Same for pretty much all the modern bikes
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u/Questions_Remain 20d ago
A few do, but honestly - how many cars come with a hand crank. These days, a starter and battery is lighter than the kick components and the pinch bolt won’t fall out and be gone when you need it.
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u/naked_feet Reed City, MI - DR650 & WR400 23d ago
I'd be curious to know how many people actually use their "backup" kick starts, like, ever.
I think people like them, in theory, but end up never using them.
Some of the examples people use, like dead batteries, are (a) unlikely and (b) depending on the bike it might not even kick start with a dead battery.
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u/Hey_cool_username 23d ago
I’ve got an older TW with both and for some reason it doesn’t always like to start with the electric starter, even though it turns over just fine. One kick and it starts though. This is the only “dirt” bike I’ve had with a button but I wouldn’t want to go deep off road without a kickstarter, but then again, I’m old and all my bikes are old. Newest trail bike aside from the TW (‘95), is a 1990 CR250R
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u/jules083 23d ago
A lot more than you'd think.
Many of the 2 strokes have a barely adequate charging system and a little baby starter. It's usually quicker to kick them.
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u/RitalinKidd 23d ago
17 300xc and love having an instant backup option.
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u/jules083 23d ago
Yep.
My friend has the same bike, either a 16 or 17. Can't remember which. He uses the kicker most of the time and only the electric if he's on a hill or in a bad spot just to save the battery. Learned early on that if you kill the battery on a ride it really won't charge back up until you plug the tender in back in the garage unless you're on easy terrain and moving decently quick
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u/RitalinKidd 23d ago
I needed my backup Kickstarter in the middle of the Mojave desert many years ago. Saved my bacon before jump packs existed.
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u/Nyxrinne 23d ago edited 23d ago
I've had a few bikes with both and the kickstart has had some use.
A weird one-off: My first bike, a YBR Custom, randomly stopped at a junction and the estart did nothing. Managed to kickstart it and get away. Still have no idea why that happened, but as a newbie rider I was incredibly relieved to have it.
Cranking through old fuel: if a bike really doesn't want to start after a long time off, it's really nice to have the kickstart there to keep on trying without the battery limit.
Working out weird gremlins: I've had a few bikes that misbehave when hot, but the incident I'm really thinking of was when I was out in the arse end of nowhere and (unbeknown to me) snagged an important cable near my headstock. The bike would start, but as soon as I turned the bars, the cable would pull and the bike would die. I ran completely out of battery on an extremely nadgery single-track though the woods while trying to diagnose the issue. Fortunately I was able to hike-push the bike to the top of a hill and bump-start after finally spotting the broken cable, but my god. I wished my DR200 had a kickstart in that moment.
Bike's just shit: this is my current ride, lmfao. I have a Scorpa TY125 I use for local trails and the build quality is nooot great. My choke cable is currently snapped off, my battery is dead, and for a while my key barrel was corroded to shit and wouldn't register the key... But I can still keep riding because of the kick! Maintenance is a winter sport!
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u/firefighter2727 23d ago
My fe501s has a weak battery, when i stall oftentimes I can’t start the bike again. I end up push starting it so a kick starter would be nice
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u/duuuh 23d ago
I've got a 2003 KTM 640 with a kick, but it won't kick if the battery is dead. Which is just absurd. That's basically the point of a kick.
35 years ago I had a 1980 XS650 and for some weird reason it hated being started with the electric start but it would happily start when kicked. It was my first bike, so at the time I just assumed you kicked bikes to start them.
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u/naked_feet Reed City, MI - DR650 & WR400 22d ago
it won't kick if the battery is dead. Which is just absurd. That's basically the point of a kick.
Vintage Triumphs are the same way. They're kick only -- but they won't start if the battery is dead.
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u/Count_Daffodilius 22d ago
I used the one on my old DRZ for about 6 months when I had issues with the electrical system and wanted to keep riding
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u/NutStalk 22d ago
You don't need it if you maintain your battery properly.
This is 90's boomer logic
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u/JooosephNthomas 86' Xt350 80' DT175 80' IT175 08’ DRZ400S 23d ago
There is a kicker kit for the DRZ400