Not starting in gear

[kxman]

Why does my 06 450 not start in gear? If I shift it into neutral it will start 1st or 2nd kick. I know there are more parts turning while in gear with the clutch pulled in, thus more resistance but still looks like it should start if I just kick it harder. The ignition timing is somewhat different while in neutral. Is this the reason it won't start? Gets a little agravating when I screw up a hill climb and have to find neutral while trying to keep the bike from moving.

[stock510]

I dont know the exact mechanical reason behind them not starting in gear but it is a common fact that if you stall a modern fourstroke and pull the clutch in whilst in gear and think your going to restart it then you are wasting your time.

You see the see the pros doing it out of habit, then it clicks - you see them find neutral and bang a couple of kicks later they are away. But it still makes me laugh when you see a pro kicking it over 3 - 4 times in gear and then realise they need neutral, it would have been faster to just get neutral to start with.

[King_Air]

I dont know the exact mechanical reason behind them not starting in gear but it is a common fact that if you stall a modern fourstroke and pull the clutch in whilst in gear and think your going to restart it then you are wasting your time.

You see the see the pros doing it out of habit, then it clicks - you see them find neutral and bang a couple of kicks later they are away. But it still makes me laugh when you see a pro kicking it over 3 - 4 times in gear and then realise they need neutral, it would have been faster to just get neutral to start with.

Interesting, my 2000 (while not new still modern) with the auto decompression mod will start in gear with the clutch pulled. Just did it Sunday in a race. ?

[grayracer513]

The mechanical reason is clutch drag. There's enough of it to make it harder to spin the engine, and it won't free spin past the point where the kicking force stops. So it has to be kicked through the power stroke.

Add to that the already mentioned timing difference, and they can get to be uncooperative. They will start differently in gear (throttle position, hot start or not, etc.), but they should start. Neither of mine really do it very well, although the '06 is better about it.

[mxdude12]

i really never knew why that was either, all i know is if it stalls...don't waste your time!!! just click it down to neutral, and then start it... saves your leg and you tend to stay slightly more sane. there's nothin funnier than watchin grown men wail and flail bcuz their bike won't start...lol

[yama02yz250f]

after doing the auto decomp upgrade my 02 250f starts 1st kick in gear. before it would never, not once, start in gear

[02YZ426]

My 06 will start in gear most of the time. I usually don't bother trying though because it takes such a hard kick to get it lit. Its just easier on the right leg to find neutral first.

[KJ790]

I start mine in gear all the time. You have to get a good kick in, but it will start.

[jhawker21]

I agree the KJ790, my 02 YZ426 will start in gear on the 1st kick. I do have to pull the hot start button some times, but it does start. Trying to find neutral in riding boots can be a pain in the butt, just my .02.

Good luck,

Eric

[StPeters21]

believe it or not... my 04 started better than my 06 in gear.... both better to find neutral though...

[rexbond007]

once in a while my 07 will start in gear.