coincidence or slow learner?

So last week first kick in the morning, my foot slips of the kickstarter and WHACK! the kcikstarter hit the back of my thigh and leaves me a bruise. I think to myself, "that was dumb, don't do that again". This weekend the bike doesn't start first kick, so I kick it again while telling the guy next to me that the bike starts so easy, I kick it again. Guess what, my foot slips off the start lever and jabs the back side of my knee, causing a fair amount of pain. It started third kick and off I went riding. During the next 3 hrs I started it many times first kick w/o incident. The whole ride I was feeling a ache in my (left) leg and a burning sensation. When it came time to take off my pants I found out why. I had a hole in the backside of my knee that was in inch long, 1/4 inch wide, was pretty deep and had meat hanging out. Darn, I guess I better see the doctor about this (stitches are emminant). Well all is patched up now, but I'm off the bike for a couple of weeks (no running, soccer or mtn bike either). The doctor says it will take 3 months for the skin to reach full strength, so NO repeat offenses for 3 months, or I'll have another nasty injury.
Time will tell whether or not I've learned anything, but I'm not ready to put on the battery and estarter yet. I have taken note of the agressive looking meat hook on the end of the kickstart lever.

That's a first for me. I have never heard or had such a thing happen. I think your gonna have to suffer the 6 or 7 pounds and hook up the happy button for a while.
Your not kicking right footed are you?

It was left footed both times. I can, however, start it with the right foot as well.

oh so you mean you CAN start it?

:lol: :lol: :lol:

regards

Taffy

Wow, looks like it smarts! I've had my foot slip before, when trying to start my bike with tennis shoes on, and leave a nasty bruise but never a gouge in my leg...

Thanks to the popularity of Last Man Standing, and other extreme enduros, it seems that, around here at least, super-tough extreme test "AA"sections are becoming more and more popular. The likelihood of stalling a few times, especially on a hot four stroke, is quite good.

It is worth many precious seconds to just push the estart and go. Many times the terrain is so rough in these sections that it is hard to find a spot to even get a good kick. When hot, my Husaberg requires that the hot start button be utilized to kick start, as I found out the hard way when I ran down my battery one day. So, 20 seconds if it lights off first kick. Most times, it does not start on the first kick. With estart, pull in the clutch, hit the button, and go. Many times, I never even stop rolling. Saves time AND more importantly, effort.

It's ironic that the very thing that can help you gain time in a race, is the thing that some turn their nose up as "not race required".

TM, I've read your previous posts before saying that you prefer a stripped down bare-bones machine. Your 496 is one really cool machine, and I'm highly envious of it. The only race-required part it lacks is the estart!

Look at KTM's new motocrossers with estart only. They will sell everyone they make, and quick. I predict the other big four manufacturers quickly follow suit on their motocrossers. Off Road bikes may have kick starter back up a little longer, since being stuck in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery and no kick start is not a pleasant proposition.

Anyway, get healed up quick so you can go ride that sweet bike of yours.

Johnf3 said:

Look at KTM's new motocrossers with estart only. They will sell everyone they make, and quick. I predict the other big four manufacturers quickly follow suit on their motocrossers.

Click to expand...

I seem to remember Husky having an e-start MX'er. Seemed like the reviewers scoffed at it but now it will be common place... Seems like if it's worth doing nobody will view it as legit unless the big 5 will go for it... :roll:

TM

Maybe you need to start it RH all the time!!

I noticed on my 496, the the Full Ti system is much wider below the number plate and hits your heel when you kick start it. Where as the std exhaust clears your heel much better. I did the same thing, although I have more 'cushion' than it looks like you have.

I hope you don't have really listen to the Doc on this one.

fryguy said:

TM

Maybe you need to start it RH all the time!!

I noticed on my 496, the the Full Ti system is much wider below the number plate and hits your heel when you kick start it. Where as the std exhaust clears your heel much better. I did the same thing, although I have more 'cushion' than it looks like you have.

I hope you don't have really listen to the Doc on this one.

Click to expand...

As soon as the stitches are gone (two weeks), I'll be riding, but I will kick RH, or do only half kicks with the left leg (push past TDC with CR, and then finish stroke with quick kick). The bike really does start criminally easy, so the button is something that is only of partial interest (all the parts are in a box).
Funny thing is, this is my 3rd Hbg, and I kick started all them, and I rode Husky and KTM back when they had LH kickers and this NEVER happened.

Johnf3 said:

The likelihood of stalling a few times, especially on a hot four stroke, is quite good.

It is worth many precious seconds to just push the estart and go. Many times the terrain is so rough in these sections that it is hard to find a spot to even get a good kick. When hot, my Husaberg requires that the hot start button be utilized to kick start, as I found out the hard way when I ran down my battery one day. So, 20 seconds if it lights off first kick. Most times, it does not start on the first kick. With estart, pull in the clutch, hit the button, and go. Many times, I never even stop rolling. Saves time AND more importantly, effort.

It's ironic that the very thing that can help you gain time in a race, is the thing that some turn their nose up as "not race required".


Look at KTM's new motocrossers with estart only. They will sell everyone they make, and quick. I predict the other big four manufacturers quickly follow suit on their motocrossers. Off Road bikes may have kick starter back up a little longer, since being stuck in the middle of nowhere with a dead battery and no kick start is not a pleasant proposition.

.

Click to expand...

i agree, the few LBS that you gain with the e-start is SOO worth the time of kicking it over and over and over again when it's hot.

i watched RC stall his SUZUKI ans loose 7 places by the time he finally got it to fire, and the same with bubba. if they had the trusty e-start they would have been off in seconds and never missed a beat, heck they probaly wouldn't have even come to a stop(i know i don't).

sucks about your leg, never want that to happen to anyone, specailly a berg rider!! i know i have done that a few times, but nothing moore than a bruise has come of it.

if i were you i would get that e-start, your trail times wont suffer to much, at least not like they are now.

get better soon!!

I assume you had boots and ride pants on? if so that is really a freaky accident, probably due to your excitement. My 450 starts easy, 1st maybe second kick each time.

kzoo said:

Johnf3 said:

Look at KTM's new motocrossers with estart only. They will sell everyone they make, and quick. I predict the other big four manufacturers quickly follow suit on their motocrossers.

Click to expand...

I seem to remember Husky having an e-start MX'er. Seemed like the reviewers scoffed at it but now it will be common place... Seems like if it's worth doing nobody will view it as legit unless the big 5 will go for it... :roll:

Click to expand...

The "e-start only" policy is a bit strange. What if... well you know.

I find it weird that the mags ragged on Husky when the 04-05 TCs were e-start only and now that KTM is going that way, it is the best thing since sliced bread. :?:

Husky got so much bad press from having an estart on there mx bikes, they removed it for 06. Go figure :roll: