If I slip off the kick starter on my 87 250X it kills my shin. It's a forward kick, not backward like a motorcycle so when it lets go, it hits the shin instead of the calf. I slipped 3 times last weekend and I have a huge black & blue spot on my shin and it hurts like $%#^^. I only slow trail ride so I'm not sure I really want to wear riding boots. Anyone have any ideas on how I can protect my shin besides riding boots? If I HAVE to get boots, what do you guys think of these? They're shorter than normal.

http://www.revzilla.com/produc...tinger-shorty-atv-boot

 

you could take a black rubber hose that will fit snug on the kicker and that will ease the pain a lil.

 

soccer shin guards could work.

 

long rubber boots are what we used on those 250xs

 

My 450R kicks forward......

Boots! They will save your a$$ some day! Let the hillbillie ute riders go bootless...you ride a sport quad.

 

You're prolly right reconranger. So what do you think of the boots I put in my first post? They're a little shorter than the normal high boots and I was thinking they may be a little more comfortable and not as hot in summer.

 

when you kick a foward start .....place the kicker under your heel ( instead of your toe ).this will cause your foot to silp over the kicker at the end of the kick so it lashes back up behind your leg instead of smashing your shin...
i learned this years ago on my buddies foward kick blaster

 

Yeah, that's what I do. And here's what happened. I kicked the bike about 6 times and it didn't start. My foot was still in the down position and sitting on the kick lever. Since it didn't start, I stood there for 5 seconds thinking about why it didn't start. Then I decided to get off the bike and have a look......WHACK !! DAM THAT HURT. I didn't think too much about the mistake I made but it did hurt. So, I pulled the plug and it looked fine. Gas valve was on. I got back on the bike and kicked it 10 more times and no start. Gosh darn if I didn't do the same thing. YEOWWW ! Then I did it even once more !!!! HOLY ^&%$ THAT HURT. So now I have a nice bruise on the bone of my lower shin. Now, I know it was stupid to do it once, but THREE TIMES??? That was really really stupid. Now I know that all you guys are laughing and that's ok. I'm laughing now too but I wasn't laughing when I did it. I know darn well that I will make that same mistake again, as stupid as it is, so I need to come up with a remedy. Prolly get some boots. But I don't always ride when I start it, know what I mean? So, I won't have the boots on at those times. Sometimes I just start her up as long as I'm in the garage. And that's when I know I'll get kicked back. I figure after I get kicked 10 more times I'll finally learn. But then again, maybe not.

 

dont let go of the mouse trapp....lol....all im saying is if you kick with your heel and you slip off ,your foot will go infront of the kicker ..thus saving your shin( you may get a calf scrape though)
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if you do the same but use the toe end of your foot to kick ,and you slip off ,you foot falls behind the shifter and WHAM ....
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protective gear is never a bad idea...250x owner ..mines rear kick though...