How To Kick Start A Honda XL500R Or XR500 Motorcycle

so is it pretty much the same process to start an xl500/600 from the 80's? or are some years different? I take none of the XL's thru the 1980's had electric start did they?

Did he pulled with he's thumb the decompression cable before kicking?

Like my '65 Vespa 50. Same issue... but less painfull

I had a xl 500s and absolutely loved it, my mate bought a xl500r and it took him ages to start the thing, he hated it so much that he got rid of it...............

Nice video thank you

Wasted my hip with a boot on..got it goin the hard way. I put a sliced piece of hose on my choke rod because it wont stay up

I'm still trying to start it,🤨

Thanks man, this was hugely helpful!

Thanks for this video should of found it before I almost broke my foot kicking mine yesterday I got xD

Hi. Could anyone tell me the length or measurements of the seat for a 1982 xl 500 R? Been looking a while for one,as the one on mine has been cut down.

This and the 350x are tuff to start. Had a 250r and that was real easy compared to the 4 stroke

Nice kickstarting in flipflops .would love a video kickstarting in barefoot . Nice bike. Love the video

I just bought a 1982 xl500r that hasn't been started since 2004. I have a lever under the clutch lever that I guess is a secondary decompression lever? Drained the tank and am going to remove and soak the carb in cleaner next. The bike sat in heated storage it's entire live. 3000 miles on the clock. Original owner old as balls, never dropped. $500. Will be a deal if it starts.

Hell yes! I bought one of these recently and I couldn't get it started for the life of me! Even when it was hot, I'd kick on it for 5 minutes before It'd start. I've gotta try it this way.

No way I just got one of these and they guy forgot how to crank it up got a deal

Picked up one of these for $500 didn’t even know these are street legal

The Yamaha XT500 also needed a well timed kickstart.

Aw yeah, nothin' like breaking your foot on the kickstart of an XR500 in the morning!
😎

Try that with a cr500

I literally kicked it all day then watched this video

I use the clutch to ease not up the compression... & then it's easy ...

Cool bike

I owe you a beer when you Will pass here in Italy...

I just got one,trust me he does not lie when he said it will hurt your foot

Judging from the knee dent in the gas tank, I`m not sure I would follow this procedure. You want to kick it down slowly until top dead center - with the key OFF. It shouldn`t take 4 kicks to find TDC. Once you find TDC, then turn the key on and kick it!

Simple trick i start mine with my left hand the engin must be warm

Dont you have a decomp hendle on the leftside of the steering?

You, sir, are a gentleman and a badass! That part when you kickstarted the motor at the end was so cool! And in flipflops no less! Men in flipflops are always more interesting in my view.... 👍🏼

hi guys i just bought a engine of this bike i want to ask if this engine or bike its good enought for long and Continuous ride, like 2 hours riding or more ? thankyou

Can it be done barefoot coldstart!

What is with the short front fender? Lol I like stock more

Do you ever set the choke back down or not ? I don’t know anything about this bike I just bought one today

Bhi

nice video dude! LOVED IT SUCK MEEEEE :)

Thanks for the super helpful video. I just bought a 1980 honda xl 500s. In your video you mention the lack of a tachometer, and on the speedometer the numbers that indicate gears relative to speed. Is that really accurate? It seems really high to me--second gear to 40 mph, and 3rd at 55?

That's a straight up street bike

try my 2002 yz250f 12.5:1 ratio

I have a Yamaha XS650 (twisted ankle version, no decompressor) I used to have one in my younger days and had no problems kicking it. But the one I own now scares the hell out of me. It twisted my ankle so bad 3 weeks ago I'm still limping a bit. :D

I have a kick start and it is super hard to start up any ideas?

i had one of those with the kickstarter shaft broken clean at the case. I'd have to push start it, but as easy as just pushing the bike a few feet is all. Put it in second gear, gas on, choke on, and preferably on hard ground, like asphalt, pull the compression release handle on the bars and start pushing, the motor will start to turn over, throttle none, and let go of the compression release like magic the motor would be running. Only it had a history of stalling in a pocket of sand that I'd have to push out of to a high point to start.

Now that's the way to start one of these beasts. Good job!

What a beautifully video. That is how I remember it.

fake fake fake,,, the engine start once before start rec.

Old school! Love it!!

I think it's more safe if you use a pair of good shoes . Congratulation for a fantastic bike

Today I was with my friend tried to start XR 600, and after 2 hours we gave up. A friend hurt his leg, and I am totally exhausted.

Hoohoohoblin, I'd like to see more XL500 videos! Also, have you investigated upgrading your stator for brighter lighting?

First I'd like to thank you for your video, it was helpful when I got my first bike, 82 XL500 this year. I was wondering if you have any input on what a good gearing might be for highway. I do a lot of trail riding, really mellow stuff though, but to get to the trail I'm finding myself letting a lot of cars by on the small highway. The bike can go fast in spurts, but I feel like the engine is screaming if I keep it at 60-70. Maybe it's okay, but just feels painful so I don't keep it pinned like that often. I cruise it take my time. I would like to get a tad bit more speed, or maybe not even speed just quiet it down a bit not stress the engine as much.