Butch

That's a good possibility Scottro. I've been doing a lot of research and they changed something on the kick start machanism for 2023. The videos talk about that. They say it's easier to start for 2023. I guess the pawl was breaking and something is different now. Still hard to start! Maybe more durable now? I think your right the geometry and shape and lengths of the lever is a perfect Storm of making it difficult to start. I agree we got a new lawn mower last year and it starts first pull every time. I'm just a 2 stroke guy. I like them. Simple to rebuild. I had a Honda XR that was 4 stroke years ago and I had to do a rebuild. Bike was given to me it didn't run. I did a complete teardown. Had to buy a motion pro case separator and man when I split those case halves the whole transmission cluster fell out on the bench. I had no idea how all that stuff went back together. I had a repair manual but it didn't have a detailed picture of the gears. I had to go to Cernics Honda Suzuki and they printed out a big paper from the computer and had to tape it together. Micro films I think they called it. I also remember the valves not being any fun at all too. 2 strokes are way easier.

I probably did get a little rusty Scottro and I'm going to take the first ride in an open area. I have a domino slow action throttle to install so hopefully that tames the explosive power down a bit. I'm definitely going to be very careful. I spent enough of this year down in Montefiore hospital in Pittsburgh this year 😁 I had enough white sheets lol. Captain Bob I'm so glad you survived your cancer too. It's scary. I'm still doing radiation. A week and a half left yet then spend winter building back up. I have to gain weight back too but I promised the wife I will be careful lol. Not funny but it is in a way. Yes we have to go to Johnstown today for a treatment and I want to try that roll back in 2nd gear, hold brake, pull clutch, get up on bike and give her a hard fast stab. Maybe that will be the magic ticket. I heard that same thing about being a knack to start a Gas Gas and it's a special technique but it's interesting that only the 3 of you on this forum cared to share that information. I read that it's a rite of passage of owning a Gas Gas 😂😁 well maybe it is but I never really looked at it that way. It's funny though after having 2 stroke bikes since 73 that they got so weird to start. I wish Gas Gas had an e-start option. I'm sure they would sell them! Well this topic has gotten really interesting. Lots and lots of great information on these 2 pages. I like this trials Central it's cool. I will let you know what's happening. It's the drama of the Internet lol. Thanks again guys and gals who helped me on here. I'm hoping to give you an update by tomorrow.

Hello again my trials friends! I have an update. First captain Bob my wife and I would love to meet you and your wife. Like I said I can't talk anymore but I write things I'm wanting to say. And the wife does my talking lol. But seriously we would enjoy that. So today the dealership picked the bike up and took it to the shop. The salesman we bought it from called my wife and said it started on the first kick. I actually skipped a cancer treatment and we went down there to see what he did. Granted he's a young guy 30s probably but he's not a big brute. He's probably not much bigger than me and I'm a skinny guy. Thanks to cancer but I hope to gain about 15 back. Bike was cold. I felt the motor. He didn't pull the choke. He just gave it a really fast hard kick. It took about 5 kicks this time but it lit up. I was happy, embarrassed, and excited all in one big emotion because it sounded perfect! It purred like a kitten and just sounded awesome. No smoke at all (67:1) until he grabbed a lot of throttle then I believe it was clearing itself out. Just sounded so good 😊 now if only I can start it. I didn't try the rolling it back method yet. I can't wait until it comes back tomorrow and I am going to try that. I'm going to try it with cat work boots and also motocross boots which these Fly boots are very heavy. So I know the bike is okay. I was excited to finally hear it run. I wanted to take a spin around his lot but didn't take my helmet with me. I have an old MX helmet and I just bought a Jitsie helmet for the trials bike. Probably wear these Fly boots until I can afford trials boots. But it's not the bike. Embarrassing as it is I guess I'm just not kicking it fast enough. He even told me I have a good hard kick but it's not a fast kick. He said I look like I'm starting an old Harley? So I hope the rolling in gear method and the heavier boots are the solution? I don't know. But I really appreciate everything everyone has told me. I hope to update this saying I started it in a few days. Thank you all so much

Okay I will give those suggestions a try and keep you all updated. I'm probably not going to get to the garage today but tomorrow is another day. Captain Bob I'm in Portage Pennsylvania. It's about 80 miles East of Pittsburgh off of route 53. I would love if you could come and check this thing out. I would pay you to help me. At this point I don't know what else to do. If I got fuel in the crankcase do I need to change the gear oil? I was actually worried about that before it was mentioned. Thanks for all the suggestions and help. I never tried the rolling back in gear method. I will try that tomorrow. I'm hoping I can figure it out.

And how do I know when it's on tdc or bdc by rolling it back in 2nd gear? I read a lot about that but how do you know when it's on top or bottom of stroke? Anything is worth a try at this point. I even read to lay it on it's left side for awhile before trying to start it. I never heard of that in 50 years of 2 stroke motorcycles. To me that would flood it? I can't believe how ridiculous these bikes are to get running. I had a Montesa 250 in 02 and it was nothing like this. Yes granted I was 39 years old but still I never saw a bike like this. I sure wouldn't take a chance on riding this bike in the woods. No way no how. At least until I learn the magic technique to getting it running

Hi all my friends trying to help me get this bike running. I tried leaning it against the garage wall. I got up on it and stood up on the bike. Put all my weight into startingit. I'm finally getting good full kicks. Still nothing not even a grunt. It's getting spark it's getting gas. I pulled the plug to check for spark and turned it over a few times. Put plug back in (tightened) like it's supposed to be and now when I kick I'm hearing a compression sound. Like when the plug is out? Blu Blu Blu. So did the stupid thing break a ring or something? Funny thing too was when the dealership delivered it there was a black fouled plug in it from dealer prep I assume? Is something seriously wrong with this bike? I don't know? I understand 2 strokes well I'm getting fuel spark and air. It won't even turn a revolution. I'm serious frustrated. Brand new motorcycle I had it 2 months and haven't heard it run yet. I reached out to 5 star Motorsports ( KTM Huskvarna) where I bought it twice. I got a text asking me what the problem is. I sent a long detailed reply. Never got an answer. I had my wife call the service department. I can't speak because cancer took my larynx. They told her well they are just hard to start. Don't know what to tell ya. I heard it on speaker phone! I requested an appointment to have a mechanic look at it. They never replied. I think something isn't right here. I know 5 star has a great reputation as a very recognized dealership but that's in road, motocross and enduro bikes. I was told they knew nothing about trials motorcycles which have a very different engine setup. I was told that by a Beta dealer. They don't understand these types of motorcycles. So I'm in limbo this bike is in limbo and I'm stuck with a $7500 paperweight. I appreciate all of you people so much! Honest to God I appreciate you trying to help me with this. Your incredible people. Friendly understanding. I'm just really lost here now. And why is it kicking over normal but it's making a compression leak sound now?

Yes they were awesome bikes. I live in Pennsylvania and had to drive to upstate NY 6 hours one way to pick the Cota up and I rode the heck out of it for some years. Never had an issue. I advertised it on motosoup which was a classified website for bikes at the time. 2 brothers from Gillette Wyoming bought it. I headed West, they headed East and we met in Walcott Iowa. Fun days

My montesa was an 02 two stroke by the way. 2002 250. Oh my gosh was that bike easy to start! I wish my new beast was the same way

Thank you guys for your input. What about an S2 low compression cylinder head and insert? Do any of you guys have one of those or know someone who does? Lower compression should help me out some I would think, what's your opinion? And I am going to try leaning it on a garage wall or a tree like a few of you suggested. I remember doing that with my CR 250 2 stroke. I didn't actually have to with that bike but it made it so much easier.

I contacted the dealership. It's a large KTM Gas Gas Yamaha and Suzuki dealer but haven't heard back yet. It's absolutely brand new. I've never gotten to hear it run yet. Never started. I can tell it was started during dealer prep because the plug was a little black and it's been ridden a little because there's dirt up under the rear of the bike. Like a wet paved parking lot or something. The guy who delivered it didn't start it for me but he was huge! Like probably 6'3" and probably weighed 240 with size 15 feet lol. So maybe I'm just too little. Never had anything like this happen and I've had a bunch of bikes over almost 50 years of 2 strokes. Like I said I'm 145 pounds. I had a Montesa 250 I had no problem starting. I just don't understand this. I appreciate you guys talking with me about it, I really do because right now I have a brand new motorcycle in limbo. I enjoy hearing what you all tell me

The first hurdle to overcome is starting the little monster. When cold, the choke is required, followed by a good kick with some technique to get a nice full swing. Remember Top Dead Center? Remember having to roll the throttle on as you kick? With that smooth, controlled push on the kick-start lever, the bike will usually fire right up. Get ¾ of a kick, be too fast, be too slow, or do something funny with the throttle, then you’ll be kicking for a while. When it gets hot, the starting gets easier, though you still have to have the correct technique. Lack that skill and you’ll still be kicking. Starting is the biggest hurdle and our biggest complaint about this bike. However, by standards from not too long ago when e-start was a rarity, this would be totally normal. This was taken from a magazine test of a Gas Gas TXT 300

Thanks for your advice. I appreciate any ideas at this point. I wish I knew that top secret knack to starting a Gas Gas trials bike 🙂 I know what you mean people talk about it all the time. I've seen lay it on it's side till gas comes out then start it. I've seen roll it around until top dead center which I have no clue how to do that. I understand what tdc is I used to rebuild engines for a local race team but the other one I've read is start it in 3rd gear with the clutch in? Never heard of that one either. I hope I can figure something out. I'm trying to find out if an S2 low compression head and insert would make it easier to start? I'm not floating in money but I be more than happy to fork another $200 out if that solves the problem. Thanks though my friend be safe and enjoy that bike you ride!

Okay, first thing is that I'm not new to 2 stroke motorcycles. I'm 59 years old and have been around 2 stroke dirt bikes since 1973 was my first mini bike. I've owned several bikes over the years. KX 250 CR 250 CR 500 YZ 250 and a Montesa 250 trials bike. So the bike was delivered 2 months ago and pushed into my garage. I haven't had a chance to ride it because of recovering from surgery. Finally the time comes to fire it up and take a first ride. Absolutely not! I can't get this bike to start no way no how. I tried for 2 days until I was too sore to continue. I changed the gas in the tank and drained the carburetor because I didn't know what they put in it for dealer prep. Using motorex Cross power full synthetic 2 stroke oil at 67:1 as manual suggests. Of all the bikes I've owned I have NEVER had one this hard to start. So while doing a lot of research I see people talk about using a technique? What technique? I never heard of such a thing. So exactly what is the golden technique to get a Gas Gas trials bike started? Then I read lay it on the ground for awhile before starting it? What? Never heard of that either. Then it's find TDC? Maybe this is a stupid question but how do you find TDC on a motorcycle without removing the plug? Then I read the nightmare people hlave about breaking the starter mechanism from you guessed it, kicking too much. So I'm actually starting to hate this bike. And what's up with people saying about having to time your start? If I were new to motorcycles I'd just say well okay this is how it is, but I know better. What the heck is going on with these bikes? I see videos of people standing flat foot on the ground and kicking it over with 1 kick. Do you have to be 6'3" tall and weigh 230 pounds to start a Gas Gas? Then I'm totally screwed because I'm 5'8 and weigh 145 pounds. I guess I have a $7400 paperweight now? I read about a decompression hole in the cylinder head? What? Where is it? Mine doesn't have that or I don't know what I'm looking at. I'm about ready to try to sell it and just get what I can get for it because I can't use this motorcycle. I'm in central Pennsylvania.

I'm not sure about an aftermarket chain tensioner Scottro? I know there are a lot of things new about the bike because I bought a seat kit from Gas Gas and it didn't fit. The bolt hole for the bracket is way off and I come to find out that the seat kit fit the 2022 but not the 2023. They did redesign a lot of stuff on the 23s. In hoping the aftermarket catches up on the new models, even Gas Gas doesn't seem to have a lot available for the new design. Did you install an hour meter on your bike? I'm just curious because I'm thinking about putting an hour meter on mine to track the maintenance. Gear oil changes stuff like that. The dealership where I bought the bike has one down there and I watched videos they look really easy to install. 1 wire around the plug wire and no hard wiring. Man I love these trials bikes! I always did actually. All of them. I'm not a trials rider but I sure have fun just playing on the bike on the old coal piles and tight trails. You would love riding down here. We have so many cool places to go. You name it, trails, hills, even the guys at 5 star powersports haul bikes up here to ride.

Scottro, I'm in Portage Pennsylvania, I bought my TXT 300 from 5 star Yamaha KTM Suzuki Husqvarna and they gave me a great deal. Duncansville PA. I wonder now if my cylinder head can accept the inserts? Have to read up on that. You can get a free digital owners/service manual on Gas Gas main website. You have to look around on there and you will see a link for owners manual. I think it's near the bottom of the page under customer service or something similar. Make sure you download the English version lol. I didn't and had to go do it again. You can also order the print version from KTM through the Gas Gas website but it's $25 to buy and $27 to ship from Austria? I think that's where it came from. I ordered one, it's a lot of money but when I'm working on something I hate playing with a phone or laptop and my printer is broken. Man! We might be neighbors lol

Hey there Scottro, thanks for the reply. The owners manual on the 2023 TXT 300 calls for 67:1 oil ratio for both break in and after she's broken in. There are 2 seat options available for the bike. I bought a Jitsie universal trials motorcycle seat. It's only Velcro but it's tight on the bike. You still sit low but I can sit with my feet on the pegs and I have a bad leg. Also gas gas makes a seat for the bike but if your bike is a 2023 don't buy it. It's fits 2022 down. It's a bolt on seat and KTM redesigned the plastic a little and the bolt hole doesn't line up on a 2023. Gas Gas said they are going to release one soon for this bike. Or your best option if you can is to fabricate one like you said. If your able I would do that and you can design it any way you want. I also bought a Domino slow throttle and I ordered the Jitsie bearing for the cable to ride on. It's super smooth compared to the plastic wheel. I have a low compression head and insert in my wish list at trials superstore but I have to wait. I've spent so much money in the past few months I have to put that on hold for a few months lol. So happy riding. I love my bike and I'm still recovering from cancer surgery, so as soon as I feel stronger I'm going to take her out. I had a 2002 Montesa that I bought new in NY and enjoyed that bike so much too. I'm not a serious trials rider. I like doing logs and rocks and riding tight trails in the woods. Be safe my friend

Hi there captain Bob! Yes we did talk on utube. I enjoy your videos. I haven't tried to start it yet. Still doing therapy on my leg where they cut muscle out of my thigh to rebuild my esophagus. That left leg is coming along. I'm doing a lot of squats and I live in a 2 story house so I'm doing steps a lot. I hope it doesn't get gummed up from dealer prep. Hey we have so much in common buddy. My email is motocross066@yahoo.com send me an email and I will share my number if you want it. I can't talk but we can text. Thanks so much for sharing the info with me. I have 2 non ethanol stations near me, both 90 octane ethanol free. I'm using motorex Cross power t2. It's basically the same oil your using. I also bought a Domino slow throttle that requires a lot more twist to get in trouble. I ordered a spare magnet too just in case. I like to buy from the Tryals shop, Locke NY. It's an awesome place! The people are beyond helpful and friendly. Very nice husband and wife run business. Great people! He gives lessons to. You can rent a bike from him instead of hauling your bike up there there. Shipping is usually 3 day it's fast compared to some others. I hope to take a road trip up there after things settle for me and treatments are over. 253 miles from my house. Would make a fun weekend! Be safe my friend and you can email me if you wish.

Thank you MonzaVair. Thanks for that Etsy link. That guy has some really cool stuff. I already have 2 lanyards and 2 caps in my shopping cart. I really went crazy on colors lol. I believe my kill switch is Leonelli. New Gas Gas. It says his caps fit Leonelli and Jitsie. I would never have found him because I was never on Etsy. So thanks again. Your username is cool. Like a Monza Corvair hybrid lol. Yeah I'm an old car guy too

Thanks! That's my 83 back there. She's been with me a long time. 350 4 speed granny low. So much fun to drive. Mechanically she's very much completely restored. Body and paint is so so. She needs a little work on the bed sides and new paint

Okay guys so the only way to shut this bike down is to pull the magnet. I didn't know anything about magnets other than they attract each other 😆 and I'm not going to wear this magnet out pulling it off and putting it back on to start it right? I've owned 8 different bikes since 1973 and they all had a button. The Enduro Yamahas had a key if I remember correctly. You guys can send some of your rain here to Western Pennsylvania it's pretty dry here

Nice bikes there lineaway. I'm still recovering from cancer surgery but getting stronger everyday and can't wait to get out on this baby!

Thanks for the replies you guys 😊. I'm going to just stick with the 90 octane ethanol free gas. I thought the nearest station was 15 miles away and a guy told me about puregas.com website. Well imagine that!! I have ethanol free gas right here in my own town and never knew that. Now I won't have to listen to the lawn mower surging up and down like a diesel truck with a bad injection pump. And I'm still looking for a kill switch on the TXT 300? I know I'm not going to find one I just can't believe that you pull the magnet to shut her down? I'm not a magnet expert but won't the magnet wear out eventually?

I just bought a new TXT 300 and I've read the manual several times but a few things are unclear to me. Is the magnetic kill switch the only way to shut the engine off on this bike? I can't find anything about it in the manual. So you have to pull the magnetic lanyard to shut bike off? Will that wear the magnet out? Other bikes I have owned and even snowmobiles have the lanyard for safety and still have a kill button. Second question. My book suggests 67:1 oil mix ratio. I bought motorex Cross power t2 and that leads me to my final question. What kind of gas should I use? The manual suggests super unleaded 98 octane? Best I can find is 93 at the pump. Should I use race fuel? And to confuse me even more the dealership told me never use ethanol blended gas. I do have non ethanol gas near me but it's only 90 octane. Please help. I'm recovering from throat cancer surgery and can't wait to get out on this bike 😊 I want to use the right fuel in it. I'm only going to be riding around slow doing small obstacles and a lot of tight trails. thanks in advance

I too just bought a 2023 TXT 300. My manual and the dealership suggested 67:1. I have access to an ethanol free gas which is 90 octane. I live in western Pennsylvania and have 2 ethanol free gas stations within 25 miles. I bought the bike because I got a great deal on it but I can't ride for awhile. I'm recovering from throat cancer surgery but I feel like the bike gives me incentive to work harder at recovery. Can you please tell me how things are going for you with the 90 octane ethanol free gas mixed at 67:1 I took bought motorex Cross power 2 t oil. That's exactly what I'm planning to run as soon as I'm able to ride. Thanks friend