Hi - I am new to the forum and have relied heavily on the advice of all here in making my purchase decisions - nice to have a place where you can obtain honest talk about fun toys!

I recently purchased the Kawi 650 and was curious as to whether anyone has had any problems with the pull start? I have yet to try this, but I understand that the machine has a decompression mechanism to make it easier . . . any helpful hints that I should know if my electric start ever fails me?

 

I have had to use the pull start a few times for one reason or another. It is a b!tch because of the big V-twin, but it starts first or second pull, no problem.

 

My battery got weak. The electric starter would turn it over, but the machine wouldn't start. My buddy gave it one pull, and it fired right up on about half a pull. The recoil starter works well.

 

I pulled mine once and it took an hour to get the cord back in. I ended up taking the entire pull start off and having to shim it with a washer under the bolt to loosen it up. worked fine ever since. I still haven't atually tried to start it that way thou. I just pull it now and then to make sure it still works if I would need it.

 

I can start mine dead cold with the pull start, I recemend doing at least once a month to keep it free and working good.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]