I am having problems getting my Zilla started when its cold. It starts with one kick when warm, but cold, I need to have my buddy pull start me. I have had 2 stroke bikes before and they all have their own cold starting tricks. My old kx125 would start if I had the choke on, kicked it twice with no throttle, then turn the choke off and kick it once with quarter throttle, it would start with no problems. It was similar for my LT250. Is there a trick with the Zilla that I am not aware of. Any advice is well appreciated, and my leg thanks you as well.

 

My advice is don't pull start it anymore. Pull Starting is one of the worst things you can do for a quad. It puts unneeded stress on the tranny componets. On my zilla, in 30ish degree weather, I pull the choke and kick like hell. Havn't found any easy ways to start it in the cold weather. From what I hear its best to get it as close to TDC as you can, give a good kick with the choke on. Repeat as neccesary. Wish I could help more.

 

I have the same problem with mine. What I do is kick it hard 8 or 10 times with choke and full throttle. Let it sit 2 min. for the fuel to fume up, then kick again with choke on. It works for me.

 

my quadracer has a trick to it and this is what i do pull the choke hold it a t half throttle bolw into the tank and let go of the throttle really quick thenkick it about twice and its running

 

It shouldn't be that hard to start. First I agree stop pull starting it and figure out what's not right. First what carb are you running? And is everything set right ie... jetting, needle, and float level and when you enage the choke the is the starter plunger working correctly? If so take the carb off and disassemble it clean all the air passages with carb cleaner and use compressed air to make sure there isn't anything jammed in any of the air passages. My LT 500 starts in two kicks everytime with the choke on. It used to be a hard to start until I dialed in the carb to my engine modifations and cleaned all the air passages. The guy who had my LT500 before me had everything on the carb wrong and never cleaned it.

 

Pismobound is absolutely correct. Your Zilla shouldn't be that hard to start if your carb. is dialed in and everything is working right. However, in the meantime, until you get it dialed in, try this....

An old timer once told me this and I thought he was crazy until I tried it...and it worked!!! When cold starting the 'ol big bore two stroke, tip the quad over on two wheels until gas starts coming out the overflow tubes. Should start right up by the second kick, every time. Reason being...your carb. settings aren't right and it's fuel starved when cold.

Now that you can ride, and while your leg is recovering, take the time to thoroughly clean out your carb., clean your air filter, check your reeds, and get that thing dialed in.

Mike

 

I agree dial in the carb,the big 500 need's the fuel to charge the cylinder to ignite,that's why pull starting work's better then kick starting,and DEFINATLY stop pull starting it.Even when I trailer mine to the drag's I don't put it in gear a tran's is expensive to repair.

 

Thanks for all the advise everyone. I know its not good to pull start it, but I have been wanting to ride so bad! I will start working on the carbs this weekend and hopefully get this resolved. I am going to try leaning my bike over to the side as MaxandBlade suggested. Hopefully this will work until the fuel is dialed in right. Thanks again everyone.