im sure oters need this as well
i have a 250sxf
im just looking for any advice to help me get a better start
here in NJ we do deadbike starts (im sure most of you do as well)
and for the most part my bike fires up first kick

lets get as many tips on here as posssible!!!

first of all get a 2stroke because the 4strokes almost never win dead engine holeshots. they suck too much balls when it comes to starting, 2 strokes fire up much quicker and easier, usually.

secondly, if ur short get a stand for your left foot if you are short.  i personally do not use/need one, im 5'11" and fair fin without a stand.

make sure you get to the line early to get a goo spot, you want to have a good line into the first turn

Warm your bike up when every line infront of you takes off.

when the last line in front of you takes off, shut the bike off in SECOND gear WITH THE CLUTCH PULLED IN.  rock the bike back and fourth a couple times to make sure the clutch is fully engaged.

When you get your 10-second warning, push on the kickstarter Lightly  a couple times untill you feel a very "hard" spot when the kickstarter is all the way up.  Dont worry you will have plenty of time to do this in 10 seconds.  That hard spot indicates that the piston is at the top of its stroke and it will start much better.  Once you find it, leave ur foot there for the rest of the 10 seconds.

Focus, you can even observe the flagger everytime he throws the flag before your line for any indications he might give when the flag is about to be thrown, believe it or not alot of flaggers unintentionally do this and if you can point it out you will have an advantage.

lastly, when that flag finally does drop (that 10 seconds always feels like 30+ lol).... lean forward, kick it and PIN IT

 KTMrideR146, on 06 March 2012 - 05:38 AM, said:

good tips but im not gettin rid of my four stroke lmfao

 Motojosh, on 06 March 2012 - 05:57 AM, said:

haha that part was for shits and giggles.  but the rest of the stuff should help you

I have a lowly DRZ400E, and I have gotten several holeshots over the expensive ero and jap bikes.
Heres one, I am the guy on the yellow Suzuki


And me again:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-MBEQkRwGk&lr=1

From a different angle
vimeo.com/24753459

I got a few more, but you get the picture.

Advice?

First  - Practice your starts, get familiar with how the bike starts.
Second - Make sure your bike is setup correctly, jetting etc., warm it up before the start
Third -  My secret weapon - autoclutch. Keep the bike in gear, hit the starter button and roll on the gas.

 BryanK, on 06 March 2012 - 10:40 AM, said:

that was nice ill have to practice starting my ktm in gear
i dont got start button

 Motojosh, on 06 March 2012 - 12:11 PM, said:

itll start a lot better in gear if you do those things i said about the clutch and getting the piston to the top of its stroke, for sure. you realy want to be in 2nd gear too.

Edited by KTMrideR146, 06 March 2012 - 02:33 PM.

Auto clutch can't be beat.  Sure you can hit the e-button, but its even better if you get just past TDC, twist the throttle about 1/3 open, 2nd gear and when the gun goes off, kick and hang on tight. You'll be lunging before EVERYONE.  Oh yeah, get a two-stroke, because Thumpers can't start with the throttle cracked open and they never win Hole Shots in HS.

 CurtisA, on 14 March 2012 - 03:00 PM, said:

you see somebody agrees with me haha. 2 strokes ar the bomb-digity

Getting a holeshot on dead engine starts is my speciality. I've got more holeshot t-shirts and gogles than I'll ever use. The way to do it is a secret but I'll share it if you keep your mouth shut. First you need a good 250-300 two stroke. Next a good rekluse or like clutch. When the line in front of you leaves watch the starter for how he throws the flag. Start your motor pull in the clutch slip into second gear. Clean out the motor a couple revs and kill the bike but do not let the clutch lever out. Push the kickstarter down untill the piston bumps up on compression then let the kick starter return to the top. Next at the 10 second mark focus on the flag guy and as soon as you see his body flex to throw the flag kick that beast hard and you will already be moving before the flag gets to the top of the swing. Power shift to third and have fun

 CurtisA, on 14 March 2012 - 03:00 PM, said:

I guess the video evidence contrary to your opinion is not enough?

i really wish my crf450r would start in gear, just will not do it on a reliable basis..I have a rekluse 2.0 and a 13oz flywheel weight as well. I agree the 2t will win the holeshots most of the time. Odly the kx450 four strokes seem to start in gear. Jon Mcabe, VetA races on the 1st row with me SrA and he often get the hs. Usually it's a 2smoker though. Im lucky if my bikes fires up on 2 kicks, and im so worried about flooding it that if it does start, i usually wait a sec before dropping it into gear and taking off. By the time im even moving, most of the field is long gone. BTW, we not only have dead engine starts, but ya have to run to your bike too.. that is another technique all on its' own. To turn the bars away from you or not, step stool or not, etc. Good starts are important though for sure, especially in dusty races.

 MELK-MAN, on 15 March 2012 - 03:09 PM, said:

I use the button on Grand Prix type starts. Leave bike in second hit button as u come around the bike and gas it when you get on letting the rekluse do the clutch

 gruberyz, on 15 March 2012 - 05:43 PM, said:

ahh yes. that would be nice the only button on my bars shuts the bike off though.. ! LOL

ive gottin multiple holeshots on my 2012 yz450f even pulled one at the gncc in tenn

Have e start 250x, can get away faster kicking.  kick lever eased just past tdc comp (not at tdc).  Bike warmed up good but not boiling (there's always some bozo boiling). Trans oil thin enough (atf) or warm enough so it doesn't drag the clutch.

Don't expect to hear the engine start, you won't, just do your routine get in a attack posture and start shifting.   Be careful who you line up next to. If you don't holeshot pass as many riders early on as you can, it'll be crazy the 1st 1/2 lap.

 briangriff321, on 16 March 2012 - 06:14 PM, said:

but you guys do dead engine starts sitting on the bike though, for hs we gotta run to the bike so can't hold the clutch lever in after you shut it off.. (or did you mean you get good starts in both hs and gncc). what is your teqhnique?

Edited by MELK-MAN, 16 March 2012 - 07:37 PM.

practice.

we do just sittin on the bike but i also run the rekluse so the clutch hold wont matter as i can start it in gear without holding the clutch...on the 12 450 and most other four strokes at all about location of the piston( right at the hard spot like when you used to have the start the old 426) and  nice solid through kick not a stab like on the a 2 stroke...i also use a small about a 6 to 8 inch foot prop to help me get kick all the way through

we do 'hands on your helmet   or Lemans when the cannon blows in the desert