2014 ktm sx = no kick starter, would you do it?

[jeffc]

So my plan has been to snow check a 14 121timbersled and get a new 2014 bike this fall but they are doing away with a Kick starter as well as the option of even installing one. The dealer says to upgrade the battery and carry a second battery and cables for just in case. Anyone have any thoughts on this and if it may be smarter to get a 2013 bike with a kick starter installed?

 

[powdermuncher]

That is why I got a WR 450 Kick start works awsome but will not start on the button worth s#it

Some bikes start well on e start, I am just glad I have the kick start on this one. Most of the KTM's need the Kicker in the cold as well.
Upgrading the Batterie and carry a second one ??? You have to be kidding.

Have been running yamaha sleds with e start only since 2004 one would think they could make a bike that starts on the button as well.

The only bike that seems to have very little issue with cold starting on the button is the Husky 511 -- no personal experience just what I hear and one guy here has a 450 that started well although not on a snow-donkey. They seem to run a more advanced fuel injection system.

So it is a crap-shoot I am glad I have the Kicker come to think of it my post is not very helpful.

cheers........

 

[KAWGRN]

My berg has no kick start and in the morning first thing it is tempermental some times I jump it in the trailer with a battery ,,then its good for the rest of the day!even after it sits for a while!

 

[yukondood]

starter

Pmuncher, patience and ecu. Now that mine has a few hours and the ecu and deseert setting e-starting much better!!!

 

[Rush44]

It makes me wonder how the rest of the day is going to be when my buddy is jump starting his KTM with his new Ford pickup in the parking lot. It just seems silly to me not to add a kick start.

 

[teal_210]

It makes me wonder how the rest of the day is going to be when my buddy is jump starting his KTM with his new Ford pickup in the parking lot. It just seems silly to me not to add a kick start.

That sounds better than dragging it around the parking lot with another bike because you don't have jumper cables.

 

[upfront719]

We have 2 KTM 350sx with no kick start. We were really nervous about being stranded, but it never happened. We leave the bikes out in sub zero temps and never had an issue. I was shocked! One bike has a stock battery and one as a lithium. I carry a jumper cable in case we leave the hand warmers on or something, but never really used them.

All that being said, I would like to have a kick start just in case but I'm not spending $500 to add it to the bike unless it's necessary.

 

[tillbuilt]

This season I wanted to run a 570 Husaberg, but I was hesantant on the E start only.

After purchasing a 2013 KTM 500 XCW at the beginning of the season. I found that I never needed the kick starter. A jump box in the morning is the maximum help that bike needed.

I picked up a 570 Berg mid season and couldn't be happier!!!!!

I would not hesitate with an E-start only bike, jump box, and a Balistic lithium battery. I have started bikes at -10 regularly.

 

[carbondaddy]

I've got a new fe501 husaberg and the starting systems on the new ktm/husabergs seem better then the older models. This thing starts even if I look at the button. I dont think it's ever gone more than 2 revolutions on the starter! I know - what if? Time will tell and I made up a small set of jumper cables and pack them with me. At least the kicker is an option on the husabergs. It's standard on the xc-w's and exc's I think, just not the 2014 sx models

 

[jeffc]

Thanks for the feedback guys. Big decisions and lots of money so want to make the right decision.

 

[up-high]

Get a '14 and make a small set of jumper cables if it makes you feel better. You'll be riding with other bikes so no problem.

 

[bdoe22]

no worries

We have been running a 13 sx 450 and the thing runs real well. I would carry a small set of jumpers but wouldnt hesitate to buy one, the thing absolutely rips

 

[One-ski / Two-ski]

I have an 09 KTM 450 SXF, which has no kickstart. I have never had a problem. I do run a ballistic li-ion battery (awesome) and carry a spare just in case.

 

[hardstart]

THERE IS NOTHING LIKE THE THRILL OF HAVE FUEL INJECTION ISSUES AND DRAINING YOUR BATTERY DEEP IN THE BACKCOUNTRY AND ONLY BEING WITH SLEDS WITH NO BATTERIES TO JUMP YA BIKE.

It was such a relief when I fixed the injection problem and the 690 started, I thought I was going to have to stash the bike in the trees and come back for it in the summer.

Has anyone made or found any cool light weight boaster cables?

 

[Cberg]

I run a 10 sxf 450 that is estart only with the ballistic battery. I was a little nervous at first but have never had any issues. I also made a set of booster cables out of heavy cord, also have never had to use. The only issue is when the battery is cold first thing in the morning but after a few cranks it warms up and works great all day. The FI bikes start a little easier than my carbed bike. I wouldn't hesitate at all to buy a FI estart only bike.

 

[gunnin88]

I went round and round and round in my head on this very decision. I have yet to even purchase my timbersled kit but I settled on a yz450f as I just could not do a e start only bike. I was ridicoulously close to buying a husky 511. I think it is stupid that there are several bikes that are e start only, i mean Geeeze not hard to add a kickstarter while at the drawing board. My brothers KTM 525exc will not start with E start when it's super cold out he has to kick it. Can't imagine getting stuck in the woods in the snow. I would be worried everytime I hit the kill switch. Thats just me however.

 

[powdermuncher]

I run a 10 sxf 450 that is estart only with the ballistic battery. I was a little nervous at first but have never had any issues. I also made a set of booster cables out of heavy cord, also have never had to use. The only issue is when the battery is cold first thing in the morning but after a few cranks it warms up and works great all day. The FI bikes start a little easier than my carbed bike. I wouldn't hesitate at all to buy a FI estart only bike.

I have a set I got from our Yamaha dealer they are made for sleds and ATV's

 

[jeffc]

Think my decision is made up. Going with a dungey 2013 but 2014 engine. Upgraded exhaust etc. no kick starter option but upgrading the battery to a seven cell and will carry the stock and extra cables as a back up. Plus ill be with other bikes w electric start as well. Bike dynos at 64h.p. so should be an awesome snowbike. Thinking the dungey version will be better resale when it's time to upgrade in 2-3 years.

Thanks for everyone's feedback.

 

[powdermuncher]

Pmuncher, patience and ecu. Now that mine has a few hours and the ecu and deseert setting e-starting much better!!!

Had here in the same shop several times did the ecu dessert setting you name it -- the only way it starts on e start is to have the idle so high that the recluse is engaging hard at idle and becomes useless.

If you turn the idle to normal levels it is a kick start only bike.

Upside is it starts very well on the kicker I might just take the batterie and starter of the bike and save the weight.

If I find a good deal on a Motocross bike I might just keep one bike dedicated to snow use and the WR for off road without the Batterie and starter.

Even though I paid for that s#itt