Kick or E-start

[Johnson]

I was just wondering which one everyone planned on buying.

[MAD450r]

But if I was to buy again it'd be another kick start only.


This atv is the easiest kick start i've had. My 200x 3 wheeler from 1985 was much harder to start than my R. When my R is warmed up I can start mine 1 kick sitting down using the hotstart. One smooth kick and when my leg is just about at the bottom I release the hot start and she's idle's.

[redhondi400]

I'm getting the E-start because I ride mainly trails. When we ride at night my girl rides on the back. The e-start will be a lot easier with her on the back.

[Blown 331]

Tough choice for me. I bought a new 400EX in 2003, I had a 250X stolen and the one thing I hated about the 400 was no kick start. If I can add a kick start to the electric model kinda like the YFZ I will go with electric just so I can have both.
Electric is nice sometimes, like if you kill it in a less then convineint situation. Or you can just not kill it and then you don't have to worry about it. This is a tough choice for me. I'm still leaning toward kick.

[smr]

I'm going with the E-start. I bought a new 400ex in 2004 just because of the e-start.

[rpyfz450]

I think electric start is a little under-rated among the racing crowd. It's not uncommon to see ATVs that stalled out on a racecourse for various reasons (usually from tangling with another rider). With e-start you can easily make back valuable lost seconds and usually be back on your way while the guy with the kick start is trying to move to level ground so he can stand up to kick.

Of course, if you avoid making contact with other riders, you don't have to worry about this too much.

[honda350r]

I would want a E start for sure .. If you guys want a kicker it will be very hard to get because Honda is not making that many and the resale will suck *****

[twisted threads]

If I was going to get a new 450r (which im not :( ) I would get a E-start but the kick start bikes don't bother me at all.

[414tinner]

If you can put kick start on them I will get the e-start. I hate the Yamaha not starting some times. My yamaha was dead after the race this weekend. That sucks!!!!!!!!

Plus, like someone else said, it will have better resale value.

[Shawn H]

Kicker for sure!!


I have been told Honda is not realeasing any Kicker conversion for the E-starts.So people will just have to wait for aftermarket to come out with it>


E-start is overrated IMO.Maybe once I had to kick it more than 5 times after a flip over. As long as your spot on with your jetting it should not be a problem and start quick. I never use the Hot start either>

[hndabestonearth]

Just talked to my Honda dealer and he told me that we wont be getting our 450Rs until around november. When I asked him if it was the kick or electric version, he said there is only going to be one version that has both electric and kick back up. I checked the honda canada website, and there is only one model. That's awesome, because I didn't want e-start without backup. Can't wait to get mine.:D

[Shawn H]

That cant be right? The starter is where the kicker would go?:confused:

[rpyfz450]

Originally posted by hndabestonearth
I didn't want e-start without backup.

Was the 400ex electric start very problematic? I don't understand the paranoia that has gripped this crowd. If you don't leave your ignition key in the on position when you put your ATV away at the end of the day, you shouldn't anticipate a starting problem.

[MAD450r]

Just the way you order it.

You need to get your name on the list for the kick start though.
From what I have read you wont be able to have both at the same time. Dont quote me on this. I just read it somewhere.

[hndabestonearth]

Originally posted by rpyfz450
Was the 400ex electric start very problematic? I don't understand the paranoia that has gripped this crowd. If you don't leave your ignition key in the on position when you put your ATV away at the end of the day, you shouldn't anticipate a starting problem.

There are more problems with batteries than the ones you cause yourself. Even so, I want to be able to start my quad if by chance I do forget to turn my key off, I like that option. Why are you so concerned about other people preferences anyways?

[Jonas]

Originally posted by hndabestonearth
Just talked to my Honda dealer and he told me that we wont be getting our 450Rs until around november. When I asked him if it was the kick or electric version, he said there is only going to be one version that has both electric and kick back up. I checked the honda canada website, and there is only one model. That's awesome, because I didn't want e-start without backup. Can't wait to get mine.:D

What's the exact web address that you found this info???

[400ex45]

isnt the e start version have a taller gear ratio?

[Transplant2]

Both have the same ratios and are supposed to be lower than previous years. Still can't get any dealers to tell me what they are though. Anybody have one yet? The ratios are in the owners manual.

[pinky93]

Only had my 04' for 3 days, but I really like the kicker....

[atvdude]

When i finally buy a 450r in the spring it will definately have E-start. In woods racing sometimes it means winning or loosing. I have seen and done stalled starts. it is also hard to hear your quad start in a race because its so loud. and now with all the thumpers on the line even louder. E-start will put me in the front of the holeshot for sure and not stick me behind a slowby to fight to pass causing me to loose time. I have not been able to race this year but will for sure next year with e-start. I have seen mainy of the PRO GNCC loose position from not being able to start it quick enough(back when 250r's where aloud). I know my 400ex when stalled on hills or by accident i would never even skip a beat because all i had to do was hit magic button and never loose ground. Ille sacrafice the little bit of weight for E-start for sure (well worth it!). this is just my 2 cents

Do not get e-start..yes it is easier but kick start is much for reliable and if u gte e start that almost 5+ pounds your adding to ur bike + the risk of electricall problems..im telling u and ull thank me..Kick start is teh way 2 go!

Do not get e-start..yes it is easier but kick start is much for reliable and if u gte e start that almost 5+ pounds your adding to ur bike + the risk of electricall problems..im telling u and ull thank me..Kick start is teh way 2 go!

[bigbadbrad]

i dont see what the big deal baout no backup starter with the e start model is. 400ex and 300ex's have had no backup starter for years, just put it in second or third and bump start is.

[culookn]

if i ever ride again im getting one with elec start b/c of my back

[jdwxv3]

I belive I would go with the kicker. Also, did you get your trailer from Doolittle yet? Also PM me if you have and goodies for sale. Later, Josh

[DirtDevilBT]

You want a kicker = buy an 04 or 05 and save the money

You want a E-start = buy the 06:D

I like not having the battery and wires in the way for teardown. My warrior was a pain like that. If you trail ride mostly than the E-start is probably a smart move, situations don't alway suit a kicker.

[miguellevesque]

My dealer said that to me to...im from hearst ontario...i bought my 06 450er in cochrane ontario...he said to me that the e-start is backed up with kickstart...maybe only in canada???


hmmm...let me know if you have pictures with both e-start and kick

miguellevesque@hotmail.com

[desratt]

put a deposit on a kicker.

[jdwxv3]

Johnson is not the avg trail rider. He is second in the GNCC Pro Am class, the 2003, 2004 Missouri State Champ, and the 2004 Iowa State Champ. He is a really really great rider.

[4ABURN]

I ride alot of woods with big hills and if some thing happens on the hill and you stall it,its a **** to hold the rear brake down and try to kick it at the same time (E brake not always strong enough) front brake sure will not do the job. So i think in the woods the e start is the way to go for me, if I was a racer I would go with the kick,they start great, and I don't mind to kick start it.

[the450r]

i am definately getting a KICKER the dealers try to talk me into it but the way i see it its a 150 option which is a 150 towards the HRC kit.

i found these numbers for gear ratios

06 gearing 13/38

04/05 gearing 14/38


06 gear ratios
primary reduction 2.739
final reduction 2.923

1st gear 2.230
2nd gear 1.785
3rd gear 1.437
4th gear 1.181
5th gear 0.962

04/05 gear ratios
Primary reduction 2.739
Final reduction 2.714

1st gear 2.071
2nd gear 1.625
3rd gear 1.333
4th gear 1.120
5th gear .963

from c and d racing

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