Tips needed for new Beta 300 with left side kick starter

[Starting]

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

 

[kurtas]

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.

 

[RonH]

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 19 hours ago by RonH

[faussy]

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.

[user7743]

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.