There is nothing worse than to be in a race, suffer a crash and then suddenly you can’t get your motorcycle started.
By installing a hot start lever on your motorcycle, you can quickly start a motorcycle. These levers allow more air into the engine as opposed to a choke. Modern-day motorcycles don’t require a hot start lever, but if your dirt bike is more than 10 years old…it’s a smart idea to get one.
Surprisingly, some riders might have one of these fitted to their dirt bikes yet never know that it’s there or how to use it.
How to Use a Hot Start on a Dirt Bike
The process to using a dirt bike hot start lever in 5 steps:
Pull in the hot start lever (it’s near the clutch)
Start kick-starting until your engine starts
Let go of the hot start lever
Pull tlutch in and select a gear
Start riding your dirt bike again
This process only takes about 8 seconds though dirt bike racers have this down to about 4.5 seconds easily. The more times you do it, the easier it becomes!
You’ll typically find a hot start fitted on the handlebars situated right next to the clutch or brake levers. The lever is quite small (less than half the size of a clutch lever) and it doesn’t really interfere with riding. It’s so small and unnoticable that some riders don’t think that it does anything.
Typically it’s something you pull in just like a clutch lever though you won’t feel the same level of resistance. On some models, it’s actually a press button or a lever that you push. Either way, once you activate them, then you’ll be using the kick start.
Now, don’t go using the throttle just yet because this will just put more fuel back into the engine. The reason why your dirt bike is dead-in-the-water is because of excess fuel so this will bring you back to square one.
Why They Are Important
Flooded engines are a struggle to get started again. Because you don’t have fuel injection, you’re simply flooding the carburetor with fuel and the air/fuel mixture isn’t ideal.
This same issue applies to older cars where, if you pressed the throttle when the engine is off, you’d have to wait around for up to 15 minutes until the optimum fuel to air ratio returns to normal. While cars have evolved, the big manufacturers had to find a way for dirt bikes to evolve, and thus – the hot start button was invented.
They are important to keep you going when you crash and your engine isn’t firing up instantly. It’s most common that you’ll find these on motocross bikes though some recreational trail bike users are fitting these too, as are adventure riders.
Do you need one? Not really, unless you’re racing. Then you’ll absolutely be wishing you had one the day when you simply can’t get her kick-starting and you’re losing valuable lessons and all your hard work.
Getting a Hot Start Installed
Chances are that you don’t need to get a hot start for your modern-day dirt bike. However, if you’ve bought an older used machine, then we can recommend that you get one of these as they are relatively in-expensive. Some 2nd-hand units are available for sale on eBay.
Simply get an after-hours motorcycle mechanic to fit one of these. They aren’t too hard nor time-consuming with many tutorials available on YouTube. You should try using these a few times during practice sessions first, and then in the situation when you need to use one on the race track, you’ll have the steps down-pat and can get back into the
It’s hard to find a kid in the western world who doesn’t enjoy seeing motorcycles cruising up and down their streets.
If your kid is 5 or older, now is a perfect time to get them into dirt bike riding. Kids can ride 50cc dirt bikes right up to 125cc dirt bikes, and there is a developing industry of electric dirt bikes.
In this guide, we’re going to show you how to get ’em into the fun sport.
Getting Kids into Dirt Bike Riding
It’s best to keep your kids off social media and into genuine fun out there, just as how we had when we were growing up.
Just remember that it isn’t hard. Getting a child to learn dirt biking is much much learning how to ride a bike. In fact, it’s much easier if they can already ride unassisted.
Creating Enthusiasm
Let’s say your kids aren’t that keen that. Perhaps they’re worried about hurting themselves or the noise scares them a little.
One of the best ways to really get them interested in the sport is through taking them to MX tracks and events. Seeing other riders doing cool tricks and showing off their bikes, then kids generally find a lot of joy and entertainment. This makes them a little more engaged and interested in riding their own bike.
Another way is to find some friends who have kids already in the sport. Making friends with other dirt bike riding kids is a great way to create buy-in and get your kids.
Choosing a Bike
There are various kids dirt bikes that you can get started with. They are relatively inexpensive especially as Chinese motorcycles have become more developed and reliable.
You can buy a relatively good machine for under $1,000. To save some extra money, look at Gumtree and Craigslist where you’ll find Japanese and Euro brands like Yamaha, Honda and KTM.
Their enthusiasm can be diminished by buying a petrol-driven dirt bike. We personally got an LPR bike here in Australia but the Stacyc 16″ is becoming hugely popular in North America and Canada.
Choosing Gear
Safety is paramount when riding dirt bikes. Unfortunately, some parents miss this completely and let their kids go riding with anything they want, or simply miss the mark.
You can spend a fortune on dirt bike gear but your child will need an upgrade every 2 years. This can then make it quite an expensive sport for you to keep maintaining.
Just like finding a used bike, you can typically find used gear online that has been hardly used. Then again, avoid the cheap new gear that you’ll find on Amazon. The better quality stuff will not only survive better and protect your child in a crash, but they’ll get up and start riding again and not start to create hatred towards dirt biking.
Where to Ride
There are literally hundreds of places to go riding. Places that are legal for kids to go with their dirt bike. These are typically MX tracks, paid-to-ride areas (owned by private owners) as well as private property. You can certainly let them ride on your private property as long as it doesn’t annoy the neighbours.
You can ask your local council or get connected with some Facebook groups or forums. This is where you’ll find others who share the same passion and even create some lifelong friends. You could even ask around your local school and figure out who has their kids already into the sport. Sometimes your kids will already know the kids who are riding bikes…because it’s all they talk about all day long!
In Summary
Riding dirt bikes doesn’t have to be something reserved for parents alone. In fact, there are parents who become dirt bike riders only because their kids showed immense interest!
It’s certainly a family-friendly sport that you can do year-round and is seriously a lot of fun. Once they’re kitted up with the right gear, it’s no more dang
Older dirt bikes are notorious for being slow to get kick-started right away, often taking 5 to 10 attempts before firing up.
To get a dirt bike started on the first kick, try this:
Turn the petcock on
Turn your choke on
Lay your dirt bike on its side for a minute (where the float will prime with fuel)
Pick your dirt bike back up again
Put your foot on the lever while holding the front brake lever
Gently push the kick lever down a few times as a warm-up
Finally – throw all your energy into kick-starting your dirt bike
In 90% of cases, this will jolt your dirt bike into life even on a cold morning.
Kick Starting Dirt Bikes
It’s certainly frustrating to get a dirt bike kick-started, especially if you’re a light person who’s more concerned in saving up energy for the tracks which lay ahead. Standing there kick-starting your dirt bike for what seems like a lifetime while others look and giggle is a surefire way to spoil the moment.
Others seem to have this craft mastered yet you stand there like a lone soul. It’s worse when someone comes over and offers to kickstart your dirt bike for you. On one hand, you appreciate the gesture and on the other hand, you’re frustrated because you wish you could do this yourself.
Hopefully with the steps we’ve outlined above, you’ll have this craft mastered even if you’ve got an older MX bike. Whether it’s a 2-stroke or 4-stroke, the nature is the same.
A Great Alternative
Did you know that instead of kick-starting, you can actuall roll-start? This is helpful if you’re parked on the top of a hill (even a short one) and you can roll down.
To do this, you’ll need to be in second gear with the clutch out. As you start gaining momentum, let the clutch out with some throttle and your dirt bike may spark into life…even with a dead battery.
You’ll need to practice this one a few times and it’s best to do it when your dirt bike is working properly. This way you can keep riding back to the top of the hill and rolling down again until you’ve got this process mastered.
Pro-Tips
We’ve done this ourselves many times and can recommend some tips to make your life so much easier.
Firstly, practice makes perfect. Instead of waiting until you’re at the track with a whole bunch of riders around you, simply practice kick-starting at home. Do it every single morning for a week even if you don’t have any riding planned.
By practicing the famous kick-start, you’ll be more confident and have the steps downpat. It will become second nature and you’ll learn how your dirt bike reacts.
Secondly, your choice in boots actually impacts how well you can kick start your motorcycle. If you’re using running shoes, then this is a bad idea as the spring-back (the force that comes up and rebounded when you kickstart) will be very noticable.
We recommend that you wear your MX boots or at least some steel-capped boots which will give you some extra weight and confidence. These boots will mean that any force in the kick-starter rebounding will be absorbed across the surface of the boot sole.
Finally, consider ensuring that your next dirt bike has an electric start. If it has an electric start already, then don’t rely on it entirely. Every once in a while we suggest that you do a kick-start so you remember how easy it is to do, even on a cold winters morning.
While electric start is fantastic as you’re merely pressing a button, there may come a day when the button simply doesn’t work. What happens if your battery is flat? You’re going to need to kick-start, and if you’ve practiced this before, then you’ll have no troubles at all.
In Summary
Kick-starting successfully really comes down to practice. The more times you do it, the easier it becomes. This is especially true if you keep riding the same dirt bike month after month.
Those who struggle are generally those who don’t go riding often enough, or it’s those with the ‘luxury’ electric start switch. Don’t rely on these all the time, as one day you’ll need to kick start.
Even the nature of kick-starting your dirt bike instead of reaching for an electric start commands respect among dirt bikers globally. Get out there and start practising, as it gets easier and easier!
Have you seen the Braaap Motorcycles? They have some cheap yet great motorcycle on the surface of things but maybe there’s a catch?
In this guide, we’re going to be getting into the details as to whether Braaap Motorcycles owned by Adam Smith is worth your time and energy.
Let’s begin.
Braaap Motorbikes Review
Adam Smith from Tasmania owns Braap Motorcycles and has done so for over 10 years now. He started importing the cheap pit bikes from China after having made a trip over there in his teenage years.
Since then, the company fluorished in the earlier part of last decade. He proceded to launched several new motorcycles, including the famous Braaap Mercury which has had great feedback and minimal customer complaints.
While the past dealings of Braaap have been troublesome, they are certainly looking towards a better future.
Past issues include:
Numerous product recalls
Adam Smith being taken to court
The Melbourne store closing down
Potentially going into liquidation
Australia’s famous news outlets love a catchy story that meets the narrative, and thus you’ll find smear campaigns online. Remember that there are 2 sides to every story.
Despite it’s rough history, Braaap is surviving and even thriving today. There is newer and more reliable models in stock and active chatter within Facebook groups.
Braaap Mercury Evaluation
One of the best bikes in the lineup is the Braaap Mercury. This is an awesome cafe racer just without the high price tag. Keep an eye out for Adam’s sales events as these come up often.
Even today, Braaap continues to offer lifetime warranties on their motorcycles which is epic. When you’re buying a kids dirt bike for twice the price from their competitors, you’ll only get a short warranty and also have to spend a fortune on additional parts and servicing.
The ST250 Cafe Racer like some of their other models is currently sold out and likely will be for some time. Delays in China are frustrating for them and their customers.
It’s interesting as they started with dirt bikes and their road bikes actually took off massively. Seems like Australians really do want affordable road bikes under $3k.
Where Are Braaap Motorcycles Made?
Braaap imports their motorcycles from China into Australia. From there, they are put together in their Australian-based warehouse before being sent out to customers across Australia and New Zealand. Essentially – all their parts and major components are Made in China which explains their low prices.
Considering the enormous prices that the established brands like Yamaha and KTM charge, it’s not surprising that Braaap has found itself pushing into the market. The industry in North America is even more massive with many westerners really beginning to embrace motorcycles which aren’t made in Japan or Europe.
Are They Worth It?
Braaap is the only manufacturer in the world who offers a lifetime warranty. For that alone, they are worth the few thousand you’d spend on one of their epic dirt bikes.
Unfortunately, they deal with the lower end of bikes and those designed for residential streets and fun on the farm. These bikes aren’t really racing or adventure calibre, though for some cheap thrills, you’ll find these to be worth the cost.
The Future of Braaap
Will they be around in 2 years time? We believe so. Despite their tarnished reputation and bad dealings in the past, it’s evident from Adam’s Facebook videos and Zoom calls that Braaap wants to rebuild itself and become highly known and respected in the offroad motorcycling world.
In his words “I’ll just smile and keep going forward….”
Adventure Motorcycling sounds like a lot of fun…and it is. With this guide, we’ll be taking you through the journey on how to get started.
Adventure Motorcycling is taking a motorcycle on anything from a weekend-long adventure in your area, to a global expedition taking several years. Adventure riders bring their camping supplies along in saddle bags paired with extra fuel, a GPS, spare clothing and the love of the open road. For many in the adventure motorcycling world, the journey becomes more fun than the destination.
Think of remote tracks and getting off the beaten path but with all your gear for a great night away from all the problems of the world. This is true adventure riding, with a blend of a dirt bike and cruiser rolled into one.
While this represents just a small percentage of motorcycle riders globally, it’s these riders who are known for being opened minded and friendly. Certainly if you were to ask questions to any of these riders, they’ll be more than willing to help out.
Getting Started with Adventure Motorcycling
Adventure motorcycling is becoming ever popular, especially with the release of the famous motorcycling documentaries Long Way Round and Long Way Down by Charlie Boorman and Ewan McGregor. Since then, multiple YouTube channels have sprung up and the most popular ones seem to be the female riders.
With that comes brands like KTM, Yamaha, Klim and Krieger to serve adventure motorcyclists (commonly known as ADV riders) at the heart. Frontaer is continuing to rise higher and stronger to also serve this market in the coming years, with our customer base being built through excellent content.
To get started with Adventure Motorcycling, there are some things that you’ll need.
Buying the Right Adventure Motorcycle
It’s important that you choose the right bike for your needs. Walking into a dealership without prior research is a recipe for disaster. To choose the right bike, you should ask yourself what type of riding you’ll be doing.
If it’s single-lane dirt tracks, then you’ll want a dirt orientated motorcycle that has some creature comforts. If it’s bitumen roads, then you’ll definitely want a road-based motorcycle with dual-sport features. In other words, it can handle dirt roads but will struggle on tight single-tracks.
The bigger the motorcycle, the more motorcycle you’ll have to pick up when you crash. And yes – you will crash at some stage. It’s how you respond and your ability to get moving again that does determine the type of motorcycle you should buy.
For many – something as simple as the Honda CRF250L Rally is enough to handle most riding conditions, though it won’t be the most highway-friendly motorcycle.
Then you’ll have to think of a new motorcycle is within your budget, or whether you’ll have to settle for a used ADV motorcycle. A new bike is only new until the day that it crashes on some gnarly rocks, then those scratches may start to break your heart.
Investing in Gear
We use the term ‘investing’ because the right protective gear is certainly necessary if you are to survive in the offroad motorcycling world. As we’ve mentioned, crashing is an eventual and somewhat routine part of ADV motorcycling. A key difference between those who keep going and those who need to be airlifted to safety is the gear that they’re wearing.
There is a developing range of adventure motorcycling gear around the world. While you can get away with some offerings from the dirt bike world, adventure riding gear is actually different. Adventure motorcycling boots, for example, are built stronger and with less flexibility than the dirt bike and motocross equivalents.
When it comes to protective gear, you’ll easily be able to spend more than $2,000 on the following:
An excellent quality riding jacket from Klim or Dririder ($500)
Matching ADV trousers which have ventilation panels ($300)
A very high-quality helmet that is designed for offroad use ($500)
Adventure motorcycling boots by an ADV brand like Sidi & Alpinestars ($400)
4L Hydration Pack, although these are sometimes built into jackets ($150)
Two sets of riding gloves; One for winter and one for summer ($150 total)
Emergency SPOT Beacon to track your location similar to an EPIRB ($150)
So when you’re shopping for your adventure motorcycle, keep this in mind as your protective gear from other motorcycles can’t exactly transfer over. Most riders sell their old gear and then upgrade to some ADV-spec gear when they can see the intrinsic benefits.
Now, let’s not forget the extras you’ll be needing:
Two saddlebags to store clothing, cooking equipment, food and tents ($500)
A tank bag to store documents, extra clothing and camera equipment ($300)
A small tool roll with tools to store tools, two spare tubes and extra oils ($300)
One tent from a quality manufacturer such as the Redverze Expedition ($500)
In addition, you’ll need some cash set aside for insurance and registration, plus any modifications you may wish to make such as an adventure fairing.
Learning to Ride ADV Style
While you’ve probably got a motorcycle licence already, the skills learned in these classes generally pertain towards road rules and hazard awareness. These are crucial skills that any motorcycle rider regardless of their style needs to learn.
When it comes to adventure motorcycle riding, you’ll need to upskill your knowledge by both experience and knowledge acquisition. While you can learn plenty for free from the numerous YouTube channels now in existence, it’s best to enrol into an adventure motorcycling school in your local area.
One of the most popular adventure riding schools in North America is RawHyde Adventures. That said – many of their students ride the bigger BMWs and as a beginner, you’re often better with a smaller motorcycle.
Likewise, there are numerous ADV riding clubs that welcome beginners with open arms. It’s these clubs that often hold information days and riding experiences where beginners can improve their skills is an open and non-judgemental area.
Making Connections
While many adventure motorcyclists prefer to be on their own, having friends who share the same passion is an integral part of what makes you more successful. By having this shared interest, you’ll both be able to find new places to go riding. Perhaps that connection is your significant other.
Such connections can also be made through group rides. You can spend most of your time on your own and join the occasional group ride to share some common interests. Plus you’ll have someone there for backup to help you during tricky scenarios, such as changing the rear tire.
This isn’t just a local connection either. All across the world there are ADV riders who share a common bond – the thrill of the open road. When you’re crossing large deserts, don’t be surprised when you find an adventure riding coming the other way who can share information about border crossings and track conditions.
Planning Motorcycle Routes
There is an art and science involved with planning effective motorcycle routes. Planning is obviously an effective way of stopping yourself from getting lost, but also a way to ensure you really see all the good things there is to experience out there. You’ll also be able to plan around weather, seasonal track closures, public events and gradients.
Fortunately, many GPS systems these days become loaded with maps for offroad enthusiasts with regular updates. Riders can even upload their own waypoints and share maps with others. As you become more involved with adventure motorcycling, you’ll love the planning element as much as the journey itself.
Domestic planning is easy, at least compared to international route selection. Traversing countries can be a little tricky especially as you’ll be dealing with Carnets (a passport for your motorcycle), customs, borders and other nuances. Border crossings can take between 10 minutes and 7 hours, depending on the countries and their bureaucracy.
Staying Alive
While we may think of ‘staying alive’ is not being attacked in your tent, it’s actually quite rare. Sure – there is the occasional bear or questionable camper nearby, but that doesn’t compare much to the very real risk: Traffic.
You’ll need to stay alive out there on the road and this brings us back to the importance of effective motorcycle knowledge. You may wish to start watching channels on YouTube such as EveRide who shares plenty about the reality of adventure motorcycling with a solid focus on safety out there on the trails.
In addition to staying alive, you’ll want to ensure you’ve packed a good first-aid kit and tracking system. Choose the best routes and stay out of harms way when riding in foreign countries. Many ADV riders choose to do stealth camping to lessen their risk of an attack or theft at 3am. That said – such stories are rare and the world is much safer than the media organisations claim.
Common Questions
It’s time to address some frequently asked questions on here. These include:
How much is an adventure motorcycle?
Adventure motorcycles can vary greatly in pricing, but generally speaking, you can buy an adventure motorcycle used for around $2,700 while a new motorcycle that’s relatively capable will cost between $5,600 and $6,800.
Where can I go riding?
You can ride an adventure motorcycle on any track or trail that you can drive a car. Additionally, you can take your bike along dirt bike tracks although steep hills are to be avoided.
What is the most reliable adventure bike?
The most reliable adventure motorcycles are the Suzuki DRZ-400, the Kawasaki KLR 650, the KTM 690R, Honda’s CR250L Adventure and the Yamaha Super Tenere. These motorcycles and their respective brands are proven as expedition-ready for global travel.
Do people ride alone or in groups?
Most adventure riders choose to ride alone, though may rendezvous with others on their journey, either planned or improptu. The very nature of being on a motorcycle shows that these individuals prefer to be by themselves as opposed to being in groups.
Can I go adventure riding with my dirt bike?
Absolutely! There is no issue with using a 4-stroke dirt bike for adventure touring. Their lightweight means they are able to access trails that most other riders can’t. Some upgrades we can suggest include a bigger fuel tank and adventure fairing for highway riding, and perhaps a better rear sprocket.
Do I have to bring my camping gear?
No. Adventure riders don’t need to bring camping gear if they plan on staying at hotels each night. This can become an expensive process, and so many riders choose to do a combination of hotels and free or low-cost camping in national parks, depending on the weather and region in which they are traveling.
Is it dangerous to ride adventure motorcycles?
It can be dangerous depending on where you’re travelling and the motorcycle you have. As time progresses, riders become more aware of their surroundings and can spot trouble much more easily. In fact, there have been dozens of adventure riders who have travelled the world without a single incident, including many 3rd world countries.
Closing Thoughts
Adventure motorcycling is a pathway for freedom for many ladies and gentlemen. Yes – ladies are ever-increasing in their numbers here year on year. After all, many humans crave freedom and the sense of adventure.
This all begins by investing in the right bike and the right gear. Don’t worry if you don’t get it right the first time though, as it often takes 2 to 3 motorcycles before you finally find ‘the one’.
Start spending some time around the ADV community either through online forums or Facebook groups, or even stay connected with many of the rising YouTubers. As you do, you’ll become even more in love with this sport and the true sense of freedom that it brings to the soul.
