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A while back, I hit the trails with my buddies, and oh boy, did we stir up a storm – not of dust, but of debate! Picture this: we’re in the middle of an epic ride when suddenly, a starter bites the dust. The ride back was anything but quiet, with everyone fiercely championing either team electric or team kick start. Unable to declare a winner, I turned detective, diving deep into the world of dirt bike starters. After combing through mountains of info and revving through the facts, I’m geared up to finally settle this high-octane debate. Buckle up, because I’m about to reveal the ultimate starter for your dirt bike thrill ride!
Imagine hitting the trails with the ultimate peace of mind, knowing your dirt bike is ready to roar to life at a moment’s notice! While the electric start offers the luxury of a quick, effortless ignition, the trusty kick start stands as your ever-reliable sidekick, ready to spring into action with minimal fuss and maintenance.
But why settle for one when you can have the best of both worlds? Equipping your dirt bike with both an electric and a kick start ensures you’re never left stranded, even if your battery decides to take an unexpected nap. Gear up for non-stop adventure with the dynamic duo of starts!
What’s the Difference?
Diving into the world of dirt bikes, the contrast between electric and kick starts might seem glaringly clear at first glance: a simple button push ignites one, while the other demands a hearty pedal kick. You’re probably thinking, “Well, that’s hardly a revelation, Emma Jo.”
Yet, the choice between these two starters goes far beyond convenience—it influences your bike’s overall performance and feel. Opting for one over the other introduces a cascade of subtle nuances and significant shifts in your riding experience. Intrigued? Keep scrolling to unravel the detailed tapestry of differences, both minor and major, that each starting method brings to your journey.
Electric Starters
How Do They Work?
Understanding the mechanics of your dirt bike’s electric starter can seem daunting, but it’s beneficial to grasp the basics of how your ride springs to life. At its core, the process is straightforward: pressing the start button sends an electric current from the battery to the bike’s engine. This current then propels the gears attached to the crankshaft into motion. As these gears whirl, they kickstart the motor, revving your bike into action.
Pros
A major pro of electric start dirt bikes is that, quite simply, you don’t have to kick start it, which any person who has done as little as watched someone do can testify is a huge pain. (I’ll talk more about this in the con section of the kick starters.)
But there are some pretty serious benefits to having an electric start instead of a kick start.
If you stall while you’re riding the dirt bike, it’s much easier to get started again. This is especially beneficial when you’re on a steep hill or a tight track because it requires much less energy from you, and there’s less danger and risk involved when you can just push a button to get going again.
Also, if your dirt bike is street legal, it is so much better to have an electric start instead of a kick start. My reason for this kind of goes along with my previous point: if you stall, it’s easier to get started again, which is way nice when you’re surrounded by traffic full of people trying to get somewhere.
Electric starts makes riding four strokes much easier. I know some dirt bikers with some really bad ankles (Myself being one of them… Dang it, sports…) and having an electric start makes riding dirt bikes so much easier and far less painful than kick starters can sometimes be.
Electric starts are also great if you’re doing motocross racing. Imagine being in any of these situations: you crash and need to get back up quick. Or you manage to stall. Or literally anything else happens, as crazy things happen all the time when the pressure is on. Anyone who has done motocross racing knows that how fast you can get back up and going during these moments can absolutely make or break a race for them. With an electric starter, these moments are brief. You literally press a button and you’re moving again. That’s the ideal situation.
Probably the best thing about electric starts, though, is that if you get hurt while riding your dirt bike, the electric start can really save the day. Since they’re easier to get started, it’s much less work to get back onto your dirt bike and ride to safety or help.
Cons
As with every good thing, there are some downsides to having an electric starter on your dirt bike. For me, the cons of electric starters outweigh the pros big time, which is why I will always choose the kick start over an electric starter on a dirt bike.
Electric starters on dirt bikes fail all the time. And they quit for an enormous number of reasons.
If you’re riding your electric start dirt bike in a place where the electric system can get wet, muddy, or otherwise buried, you’re at a pretty high risk of your dirt bike quitting on you. If you’re alone, don’t have a kick starter as a backup, or don’t have anyone to jump start you, you’re out of luck. Stranded island.
Because it’s an electric starter, these dirt bikes require a battery. In my opinion, the extra part gives the dirt bike an extra way to fail. And it’s an extra thing to buy. As dirt bikers, we already have so many things to pay for that are really pricey. I would just prefer to not have to spend more money if I don’t absolutely have to.
Not to mention the fact that batteries die. There could be absolutely nothing wrong with any other part of your dirt bike, but if the battery dies, you’re basically out of luck– again.
Batteries can also make your life tricky if you live in a place that gets super cold in the winter like I do in Idaho. It’s a no brainer that if you live in a place that gets cold, your vehicles are going to need some special maintenance and care to prepare for winter. For electric start dirt bikes, you have to make sure you take the battery out before those cold temperatures really kick in. If you don’t take that battery out before it gets cold, or if it totally slips your mind (like it has mine, admittedly), you’re going to have to buy a new battery in the spring time. Which, again, is money you don’t need to spend.
I know this isn’t a huge deal, but it is an extra step you have to take. And why have extra steps if you don’t need them?
The battery can also make the dirt bike quite a bit heavier than dirt bikes without a battery. As a considerably small person, this makes a difference for me. If the dirt bike quits and I have to push it back to my truck, that is not going to be a good day. It’s really only about 10 pounds of extra weight on most dirt bikes, but still. The extra weight that the battery brings is not fun.
Kick Starters
How Do They Work?
Kick starters on dirt bikes work pretty much the same as electric starters, except, instead of pushing a button, you have to kick a pedal several times until it gets started. When you kick the pedal, the gears on the crankshaft spin. Again, the spinning of these gears is what makes the motor start.
Pros
From my perspective, the kick starter takes the lead over the electric starter, offering a bundle of benefits that easily outweigh its drawbacks, especially when compared to its electric counterpart.
Let’s start with reliability. Kick start dirt bikes simply stand the test of time better, avoiding the common pitfalls of electric starts. Their simplicity means fewer mechanical parts and wires, drastically reducing the chances of malfunction.
Maintenance? Kick starts have you covered there too. They spring to life effortlessly, even after prolonged periods of inactivity, and require minimal prep for seasonal changes—a feature I, as an Idaho resident, find particularly valuable.
And it’s not just about maintenance; it’s about simplicity. Kick start dirt bikes ditch the battery, offering an unparalleled readiness to hit the trails. While nothing’s foolproof, kick starts are synonymous with reliability.
Cost-wise, kick starts have an edge too. They’re generally more affordable, not just in initial cost but also in long-term maintenance. As someone who values cost-effectiveness, the ability to save without compromising on safety or the riding experience is a definite win.
The absence of a battery makes these bikes lighter too, translating to a more nimble and manageable ride, perfect for navigating through challenging trails and conquering hills.
Beyond the bike itself, there’s something about kick starts that enhances the riding experience. They demand engagement, making you an active participant in the adventure, and for me, that’s a source of immense satisfaction that electric starts just can’t match.
Finally, kick starts prove their worth in adverse weather conditions, particularly when it’s wet. While it’s never ideal to soak your bike, kick starts are less prone to weather-induced issues than electric starts, offering peace of mind when the skies open up.
In essence, kick start dirt bikes bring together reliability, simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and a hands-on riding experience that, for many, make them the preferred choice on the dirt track.
Cons
Again, every good thing has its bad parts. Even kick start dirt bikes.
A huge con of kick start dirt bikes is that they can be a huge pain in the neck to get started, especially if they’re cold. I’ve seen dirt bikers kick the pedal more than what seems like a million times and the dirt bike still won’t start. Heck, I’ve been there, too. It can be incredibly frustrating when your kick start dirt bike just will not start.
Along with the repetitive kicking comes physical tolls on your body. You can really make your feet sore with kick starters, or you could even injure yourself if you slip or kick it the wrong way.
Stalling on a kick start dirt bike can be absolutely detrimental, especially when you’re doing motocross racing. As I outlined before, there are several things that can go wrong during a race. Stalling is one of those things that can happen when you’re in the middle of a race and absolutely kills it for you. But it’s really only due to the fact that kick starters are harder to get started.
In the video below, you can see that kick start dirt bikes can be a big harder to get started. The dirt biker in front kicks the pedal a total of eight times before he finally gets going. The dirt biker that’s recording has an electric starter, as you can tell by the ease he has getting the motor on. This is honestly the biggest con of kick start dirt bikes– they can be hard to get started.
Which is Best?
After dissecting all the details, you might wonder which starter tops the list for a dirt bike beginner. In my view, if we must crown a champion, the kick starter takes the lead. Why? Its standout trait is reliability. Kick starters endure more, demand less upkeep, and for me, these factors weigh heavily.
Relying solely on electric starters isn’t a gamble I’d recommend. They’re prone to falter in numerous scenarios, making them a less dependable ally on your rides. The thought of an electric-only bike doesn’t sit well with me – my trust lies more in the steadfastness of a kick, not the uncertainty of a battery.
Granted, kick starters come with their challenges, notably the effort it takes to rev up the engine. I won’t shy away from admitting that this can be a significant drawback. Yet, when you look at the broader picture of dirt biking, reliability overshadows this inconvenience.
Ultimately, the decision rests in your hands. Whether your heart sets on a kick start or an electric start dirt bike, the essence lies in the ride, not the starter. It’s about weighing what you value, what you’re prepared to compromise, and what aligns with your dirt biking flair.
However, remember that nowadays, most dirt bikes come equipped with both starters, offering the best of both worlds. If possible, opt for a bike that houses both – the combined strengths of each starter pave the way for an unparalleled dirt biking experience.
No matter your choice of starter, the main thing is to enjoy the ride. Happy biking!
