CaptainBob

Great! I look forward to it. Thanks!

We have all been there. The roll back method works every time. I can start my 2023 flatfooted but only when it is warm and... not all the time. That 300 does take a serious kick to start on the compression stroke. I am also an older guy (a bit older than you) and am hoping as It gets ridden more, it will eventually soften up a bit. I am interested in how the low compression head works for you. I am not interested in doing that to my bike but am curious what you think after you have it installed. For example, any loss of power?

Glad to hear you guys are up and about. I have been practicing static balancing and although, I certainly am no expert, I am beginning to get the hang of it. Scottro, what did you end up with for final gearing? Butch, I am really glad to hear you are still able to start the beast. That is awesome. Yes, we do need to do a ride this summer, I am definitely up for it.

What does a 2023 gear look like?

Some folks have said KTM fixed the problem but I do not know what they did. I use the roll back technique to start my bike. Starts pretty easy cold or hot.

Scottro, What year bike was that taken from? Do you know what specifically caused the breakage?

Maybe another way to look at it is that Raga worked very hard to get to the level he is currently at. I'm sure he gets paid fairly well but, is probably under a lot of pressure to perform. It wouldn't surprise me to see anyone at that level stand up if they sincerely thought (rightfully or wrongfully) that they were being treated unfairly. Perhaps, after his seeing the split marker the argument ended?

If only I were that old! 😆

Ahhh Lineaway, you are still a kid! 🙂 I turn 76 in early November. I retired from road racing in 2005. I discovered when I came off the bike I no longer bounced.... I splatted. lol BTW, as you get older, it doesn't get better. I understand about the aches and pains. I am too old to compete in Trials but really enjoy putting around on it.

It is a great technique. It really doesn't require much force on the kicker to get this beast running. I am sure Butch will nail this.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! If the shoe fits..... HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

You are a Dick! You do not know what you are talking about. You have yourself pretty high on that pedestal. Just another armchair warrior. Go away, we do not need your crap.

Some folks do not realize when they are tipping a few... they should stay off the keyboard! 😆

I got the shock and fork springs from Trial Store USA. (trialstoreusa.com) They are good folks and will help you out. If I recall though, I think the stock springs should be good for your weight.

That wasn't very nice. Maybe you are the pile.

Butch, your shock settings should all be at midpoint. The owners manual will tell you that. I put new springs (front and back) in my bike to accommodate my weight. I checked the settings and they were pretty much at midpoint. It was a piece of cake to remove the rear shock. Swapping the spring was even easier. Spring in the fork was a 5 minute job.

I am also on the side of.... See what you have first, before you change it. Ride it, break it in, get comfortable with it. After that, if you still need a change, go for it.

That is a significant gearing change. Being a newbie to Trials, is it a typical mod to gear down from stock gearing? I bet that thing putts rather nicely just idling in gear.

Great! Glad you find the starting technique working for you. Remember, do not use throttle when starting either a cold or warm engine. I started my cold engine up yesterday with just one kick. When cold, use the choke. When warm, do not use the choke. Interesting about the sprocket changes. With that gearing you have, you must have instant power at your wrist. That thing must be a wheelie monster. 😮 Scottro, I do not recall, are you riding a 23 300 TXT?

That is good news Butch! I figured it would start. It should, it's a new bike. Wait till you try the rolling method. You are going to crap when you see how easy it is. You will not need your big heavy boots. Like I said earlier, Last time I started mine, I was wearing sneakers. I do not recommend that but, it can easily be done. When on the compression stroke, it does take a heavy fast kick. That is why getting on a stand and kicking it is easier (but still difficult to start). But, when you try the rolling method, you are going to be quite surprised. Still give it a fast kick. The kick will go through a lot easier than when on the compression stroke. BTW, when I had the mechanic start mine when I picked it up, he couldn't do it flatfooted. He needed to get a bike stand to stand on. The dealer told me there is a trick to these and once I figured it out, it would be OK. He never told me the trick though! I will shoot you a PM if we head out your way. That is a really good possibility. Maybe, within the next two weeks. Do not worry about the speech issue. I am also person with cancer issues. 10 years ago, I was told I had less than 6 months to live. But that is another story.... 🙂

He Butch, I am sitting on the edge of my seat. 😬 Did you get the bike started? You are also giving me a good reason to take the wife on a road trip. We both are due. 😎

retromic, try that rolling back technique. It was a game changer for me. She starts so easy now. My right knee is bone on bone plus, being almost 76 doesn't help. Just not as limber as I used to be.. I have zero difficulties starting the beast using that technique.

Glayne, when you kick the bike with WOT, you have the fuel shut off. It absolutely helps. That technique is SOP on a flooded two stroke. I just cleared a 100cc Yamaha twin 2 stroke that had sat for 10 years and had a ton of fuel in the crankcase. The only way (without disassembly) I could get the bike cleared and started was to kick with WOT. Lots of kicks! lol In terms of the 300 TXT, I will further say, kicking that beast over from its compression stroke is extremely difficult, especially for us older folks. I weigh 265lbs, been kickstarting bikes all my life and trying to start that beast cold in neutral on the compression stroke is impossible for me flatfooted. I occasionally get it started when warm flatfooted. When cold however, I have to get up on a stand or something. I have had a lot of guys a lot younger than me tell me they use a stand, rock, or lean the bike against a tree and stand on the pegs to aid in starting as well. And even when use the stand (cold engine) giving it a sharp fast kick with choke on and no throttle, she doesn't start easily. These bikes have a reputation for starting hard. The rolling back techniques is child's play and she starts every time and works MUCH BETTER than the neutral sharp kick on the compression stroke. Maybe that's why they say different strokes for different folks? lol My guess is you are a much younger guy. I'm happy your TXT is an easy starter.

I have flooded my 300 TXT several times when I was first trying to figure out how to start it. I ended up having to kick it with a wide open throttle to clear it. Obviously, you turn it down when it starts. WOT is not an issue when clearing a flooded engine on these bikes. What is your reason for not using WOT?

Forgot to mention. Before, and when you give it a kick, hold the front brake lever to keep the bike steady. If you are old and feeble like me, you may need to lean the bike towards you a little to get your foot on the kick starter. That is why I mentioned to stand on a bike stand, stool or something, to lift you off the ground. Makes it easier. Once you get it started and see how easy this procedure is, you will not need the stand. Good luck!