Regarding kickstarting Honda XRs, these can be notoriously difficult to start, especially when cold. And they flood very easily, so never give any throttle when starting and go easy on the choke.

If you are still having trouble starting the bike after carefully finding top dead center, kicking hard, etc, try this drill:

1. Climb completely on top of the bike with your left foot on the left footpeg and your right on the kickstarter. This may take a bit of balance.

2. Starting kicking fast and hard like crazy. I mean really, really fast and full strokes. Don't worry at all about finding top dead center, just kick hard and fast.

3. After about 3 or 4 swift kicks your engine at some point WILL get to top dead center and WHEN it does, the engine will already have momentum and you will get a MUCH stronger stroke. The engine should then start right up.

This is the only way I can possibly start my 1992 XR250L when it is cold and my friend used this method to start his XR600.

If you flood the carburetor, use the exact same method, but hold the throttle wide open and keep it there. You should get the same results.

This drill has made all the difference in the world as previously I had to compression start my bike EVERY SINGLE morning when the bike was cold.

Good luck, let me know if this method helps out!

-Dave

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Dave McMillan
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/mcmillan/