Kickstart

A kickstart (kick starter) is a lever on the side of the engine that the rider pushes down with the foot. Through a ratchet and gear mechanism it spins the crankshaft fast enough to start the engine, without needing a battery-powered starter motor.

Kickstarts were standard on almost all bikes until electric starters spread. Today they are mainly found on two-stroke dirt bikes, older bikes and some small machines, while many modern enduro and motocross bikes have electric start only or both.

Technique matters: find compression by moving the lever slowly until resistance builds, let it return to the top, then kick through the full stroke in one smooth, firm movement. Never kick with the lever slipping off your foot.