I've been pondering this thread. While I'm kinda relieved that I don't have the option of kick starting the CB1100, perversely I'm mildly disappointed that Honda didn't put one on the bike to really give it that retro look.
The good news—for me at least—is that the 'kinda relief' side of the equation is winning out.
A fake kick start, now, would be totally unacceptable. But a quasi-fake kickstart of the kind proposed by the good Captain Klutz may well have been good for a laugh. At least it would appear to work.
07-02-2015 02:07 AM
EmptySea
Lives On Two Wheels
Chicagoland, USA
Posts: 7,004
Joined: Jun 2013
There appears to be, where a circular chrome plain end cap for the swingarm should be, nuts or bolts of some sort on the bike in that video. I'm thinking some sort of fake kickstarter that somehow bolts in there.
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Defender of the Realm
2014 DLX (the pleasure horse)
2021 NC750X DCT (Angry Bird)
(06-30-2015 10:45 PM)DaSwami Wrote: Picking up a SR400 in a couple of days that is kick start ONLY.
The bike has NOT been a commercial success.....I'm guessing the high price and no e-start are the culprits
How to learn to hate kick start bike..
I had 3 sr500's.... If you don't start it right, you'll sit for a bit.. I hope you live on a hill.
I still have a srx in the back of my garage, it's far easier to start, but with needing some work, it just sits
[u]'13 cb1100[/u] came with black grab rails, headlight & side covers, hagofuku front/rear fenders, and cats eye blinkers.[u]Added by me[/u]: Staintune Slip-on, Moriwaki sliders, Sport Trunk Seat, Lucas black taillight
04-18-2016 03:38 PM
Lord Popgun
I find your lack of RLETs disturbing
Virginia Beach
Posts: 10,442
Joined: Apr 2013
(08-15-2014 09:30 PM)Short Timer Wrote: Probably just a matter of economics and refinement. I had frequent starter button problems on the old bikes. Used the kicker fairly often. But that was then and this is now. The other thing is the average size motor back in the day was about half or less than what everyone is tooling around on now. Not sure I'd want to be kicking one over very often these days.
Memories include bruises and skinned shins and breaking a sweat before I ever got moving!
Interestingly enough, however, the new Yamaha 400cc is kick start only! Guess they saved a few bucks by going in the other direction.
I like that SR400. If I downsize I might get one. Clearly EFI will work with a kickstarter as it's EFI.
The compression ratios and horsepower of modern bikes would create a real danger of personal injury, and since electric starters are now so light and powerful, there is just no reason to consider a kick starter.
Kick starters can break bones and cause very serious injuries, especially with four-stroke engines.
Some bikes do have them; dirt bikes, dual sport, some retros.
Next thing you know someone will want to go back to using carburetors.
04-18-2016 05:18 PM
Pterodactyl
Road Warrior
Sydney, Australia
Posts: 2,740
Joined: Sep 2013