February 21Feb 21 Just picked up a brand new Beta EVO 300 Factory with kick starter on left side of motor. This is a new one for me. Being 65 years old my kick starting oomf aint quite what it once was. Tried to start it today, no luck. I am looking for some tips. Is it better to stand over it and use right leg or stand off it and use right leg? Thank you
February 22Feb 22 I kick mine left footed fine but it does have a bit of compression. I would recommend that you remove the high compression head which is fitted to the factory model and put on a low compression one like they fit to the standard model.
February 22Feb 22 1 hour ago, kurtas said: I kick mine left footed fine but it does have a bit of compression. I would recommend that you remove the high compression head which is fitted to the factory model and put on a low compression one like they fit to the standard model. I’d second that opinion. I’m a small person, also 65, and it was extremely hard to start my Gasgas but after I reduced the compression with a 1mm head spacer the world was much rosier. Replacing the head insert or adding a head spacer will make it much easier to kick over. https://trialssuperstore.com/products/beta-evo-s3-low-compression-head-insert-300?srsltid=AfmBOorOsQLwFqYdzcC2hekw1AWgZSnGvXZNEch3bDhi56zw0dxAfsnV Edited February 22Feb 22 by RonH
February 23Feb 23 Dont have a beta but ive kick started a lot of maicos and they are on the left. My technique for them is to stand on the left, lean the bike towards you slightly and with opposite steering lock. You may find once you get the hang of how the bike starts you can kick it with your left.
February 23Feb 23 I would say there is a lot to do with technique rather than outright strength. If you are "at based" and have a bike stand with you, kick it on the stand, both feet on the pegs to get good purchase to kick it. If no stand, but there is a wall, go with that. Someone I ride with also had issues before moving to a TRRS with e-start. Right side rather than left but the principle is the same, he would stand on anything with his none kicking foot - such as a rock. Again, additional height I would say there is a lot to do with technique rather than outright strength. If you are "at base" and have a bike stand with you, kick it whilst on the stand, both feet on the pegs to get good purchase to kick it. If no stand, but there is a wall, go with that. Someone I ride with also had issues before moving to a TRRS with e-start. Right side rather than left but the principle is the same, he would stand on anything with his none kicking foot - such as a rock. Again, additional height gave enough purchase and the ability to use gravity + body weight as an assist. If its cold, don't be afraid to flick the choke on to get it first started. It should be easy to start, my almost 10 year old Evo will still start first kick when warm, maybe two from cold. So if you have the technique down and its still not firing easily, check nothing is amis. I appreciate you're not saying its a pig to start, just adding for reference as they are not hard to start when you have the how down. gave enough purchase and the ability to use gravity + body weight. If its cold, dont be afraid to flick the choke on to get it first started. It should be asy to start, my almost 10 year old Evo will still start first kick when warm, maybe two from cold. So if you have the techniqure down and its still not firing easily, check nothing is amis (I appreciate you're not saying its a pig to start, just adding for reference as they are not hard to start when you have the how down.
February 23Feb 23 It’s all down to technique and practice so keep at it, getting off and using right foot is ok but a bit of a faff esp when out riding, my factory 300 evo likes to demonstrate its compression for sure whilst my rev3 is a lot more user friendly.
February 27Feb 27 Suggest you contact the dealer and ask him why he didn’t recommend the 250 Super smooth model?
March 8Mar 8 Regardless of being on the left or the right, trials bike kickstarts are not ergonomic. They are far too high so your knee is very bent when you are pushing against compression. Get yourself up higher by standing on a log or leaning against a tree. Or solve the problem entirely with an electric bike 😃.
March 16Mar 16 Two helpful tips I've learnt: Kick it right from where it stopped. Don't ease the kick start around until it hits compression, just get straight at it. And/or roll the bike backwards in gear until it stops. Pull the clutch & a good swift kick. Only move the kick lever enough to engage the ratchet, no more. Then aim for the fastest stomp you can. Trials flywheels are big & heavy, especially Beta. So you want to make sure you have as much swing as possible to get that thing moving before it gets onto compression. Then the flywheel does a lot of the work for you. I'm 63 & have no trouble at all starting a TRS 300RR or a 300 Beta if I follow this. It's frowned upon, but if I'm tired I'll carefully start it on the side stand. Get on & up, then gradually tip the bike off the stand & then kick. This way you don't stress the sidestand too much.
April 7Apr 7 On 2/21/2026 at 9:16 PM, Starting said: Just picked up a brand new Beta EVO 300 Factory with kick starter on left side of motor. This is a new one for me. Being 65 years old my kick starting oomf aint quite what it once was. Tried to start it today, no luck. I am looking for some tips. Is it better to stand over it and use right leg or stand off it and use right leg? Thank you It’s better to stand to the side and use your right foot—it’s more comfortable and helps you maintain your balance.
April 7Apr 7 I don't get why so many people advocate using the right leg for a left-hand kickstart. Is it that right-handed people think the left side of their body doesn't work? How do you think left-handed people get on with right-hand kickstarts. Unless you have a particular injury or disability, use the leg the bike was designed for.
April 8Apr 8 19 hours ago, trapezeartist said: I don't get why so many people advocate using the right leg for a left-hand kickstart. Is it that right-handed people think the left side of their body doesn't work? How do you think left-handed people get on with right-hand kickstarts. Unless you have a particular injury or disability, use the leg the bike was designed for. Close; it's because the light weight, right-handed, senior citizen type rider tried using their left leg to start the silly backwards bike and found they simply could not start it.
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