Xr 400 starting

[jack19]

Hi, I Was wondering if anyone could give me some tips on starting my xr its being a bi*** there are good signs of compression there is a strong spark but it does not want to start.

[TRANSPORTER]

Bit of a tough one really, but here goes,.
1 Do not touch the throttle.
2 Move kick start to TDC.
3 Ensure engine stop switch is in the RUN position.
4 If cold apply choke, note that sometimes only half choke is required even when cold. ( with mine I start it on full choke then as soon as it fires I wiggle the choke lever up and down between shut and full open to half open, listening to the engine all the time so as not to flood it or lean it out too much).
5 Then give it a healthy kick and hey presto she should fire up.

If not and you repeat this system a number of times you might flood her if you do follow this procedure.

1 Fully open throttle
2 Pull in decompression lever
3 Ensure choke is off
4 Kick the bike over around 6 to 10 times really fast.
5 On the last kick release both the throttle and decompression lever at the same time.
6 Now go back to number one on the last system and start again.

I,m sure that there will be plenty of other members with their technique to starting coming on this thread soon.
What you have to understand is that each bike is different and they all have their own ways that you as the owner will get to know.
The procedure ive given you works on mine all the time, and generally works on my mates XR although his seems to like a handfull of throttle on starting aswell.
Where as that is the last thing mine needs to get her started.
Hope this helps you out.

[phil w]

Mine is pretty much the same as that but it does seem to like a snap on the throttle the moment its alive. They do seem to have their own quirks but essentially always the same technique

[jack19]

Thanks for that information but i have tried all of these techniques but it only sometimes even fires and i am thinking about selling it and getting a more expensive one with electric start what do you think

[todd5774]

When were the valves last checked and have you been fiddling with either the jetting or the air screw?

Ive got an xr600r and that wont start until you get it to TDC and then ease it about an inch past and then kick. It took me about 2hrs to figure mine out when i first got it, and then a further 20 mins when i stalled it the first time. Now it will normally start first kick.

Also try turning your tickover up as that will make it easier for the bike to catch.

Its a learning curve as others have stated, and another thing to consider is if you buy one with an electric start and that fails while you are out and about then you will need to know how to kick that one as well, so whatever bike you have you will still need to learn how to kick it so why not learn with this one and save yourself some ££..

[dazzerrtw]

best way is to fit a electric start kit

[walesxr]

May seem obvious, but no one has mentioned it. When kicking over bike to start it, you must allow the kickstart to start from the very top of it's stroke and kick all the way down until it stops, I have seem so many people kick the bike over and then only allow the kickstart to return about 3/4 of the way back up before kicking again.

[mr brightside]

if ive not started mine for a while it can be a hard job what i do is,
petrol on, choke on full, throtle open,decomprossor in, pump the kick start about 15 times get kick start to top release decompresser and then one good kick (or maybe 2or3)

[kempouk]

i got a 88 xrr 600 and what i do is from cold apply half choke kick the bike over 6 times (kill switch off) drop the choke off,(kill switch on) then turn the idle dial in quarter turn, find the compression stroke (usually goes rock hard) wind the kicker back to the top, then push down on the kicker gently until you feel the cam rock just over tdc,bring the kicker up to the top again, then 1 swift kick right through and boom she fires up.
then unwind the idler until she thumps at around 5 to 600 rpm.
from warm i just turn the idler in quarter turn then follow the same procedure with the kicker, eliminating the choke.
happy kicking.

[urbancowb0y]

geez mate, that old XR600 is a bit of a beast to start lol almost need a starting manual!

with mine, (XR250R)

choke on full
no throttle
kill switch to RUN
wind kick start to compression gently, all the way to the top.

boot it once and when it fires (when im REALLY good) drop the choke completely, and give it a twist of the throttle.

if i havent got my timing right or its bein annoying, drop choke to half, kick it again from compression, and USUALLY it'll fire right up.

all this HAS to be done in neutral otherwise if it catches on full, cant drop choke quick enough because of clutch in.

hope that helps a lil bit. they all got differences, mine is different every time i get on it, and another help, put choke on full and turn fuel off when ya turn it off at nite, helps heaps with starting.