How to Start a Motorcycle with the Kick Pedal?

[DelRylee]

Press the gear pedal to keep the motorcycle in neutral. Open the motorcycle's choke switch and pull the choke switch downward. Lower the motorcycle's kick-start lever and step down firmly with your right foot. Apply a slight throttle at the moment of kicking to make it easier to start.

[DiKai]

I'm an old-timer who's been in the motorcycle club for over 20 years, and kick-starting is as natural to me as eating or drinking. First, you've got to make sure the gear is in neutral, otherwise one kick could send the bike lurching forward three meters. I usually grip the front brake with my right hand to prevent rolling, turn the ignition key to the ON position with my left hand, and pull the choke lever for a cold start. Here's the crucial part: Plant your right foot firmly on the kickstarter—don't just stomp down recklessly. Use your calf muscles to apply gentle downward pressure first. The moment you feel distinct resistance in the kickstarter lever, immediately lift your foot. That resistance point marks the engine's compression stroke sweet spot. Once located, swiftly raise your right foot and deliver a decisive, football-style kick! The engine will roar to life with a satisfying 'bang.' For stubborn winter starts, I'll prime the engine with 2-3 dry kicks first, always waiting for full kickstarter rebound between attempts to protect the gearbox.

[LeLondyn]

Last month when I first learned this trick, I made quite a fool of myself. The instructor said the key to kick-starting a motorcycle is rhythm, just like dancing requires strong and light beats. Place your foot on the kickstarter, press down gently while counting one-two-three—release immediately at the deepest point and wait for the pedal to return to its original position. Keep your leg suspended without relaxing, and the moment you see the pedal reach the top position, use your hips to deliver a powerful downward kick! Last time I was so nervous it took me seven or eight attempts to succeed, only to realize I'd forgotten to pull the choke. Now that it's hot weather and starts easily, I still maintain the habit of checking the fuel tap before every start. My neighbor's old Jialing often fails to start because the fuel line gets clogged from forgetting to turn on the petcock.

[VanChase]

Having worked in the repair shop for twelve years, I've seen too many cases of kickstart levers being snapped. The correct approach is actually a three-stage force application: first, gently press to locate the compression point, then rebound to store energy, and finally exert a burst of downward pressure. Many beginners make the mistake of relying solely on brute force throughout the process, ending up twisting the starter gear into a mess. It's safer to pull in the clutch before each start, even if the neutral light is on, as the gear switch in older bikes might malfunction. If the bike doesn't start after five consecutive kicks, first check if the spark plug is flooded. It's also advisable to regularly spray some WD-40 anti-rust oil on the kickstart lever pivot.