[Phlakaton]

So how often does everyone use the electric start?  I never use it anymore unless the bugger decides to die in traffic at a light.  9 times out of 10 it doesn't work in the morning anyway.  Is this common with everyone? 

[redcat]

I always used my ES for the first two years I had my bullet. It was just at the beginning of last summer I started to kick start all the time. I ,like you, only use it if the bike stalls in traffic which does not happen that often. My ES has never not worked however (knock on wood)!

[baird4444]

I use the ks while standing on the right, right foot,  in the morning or first start. The only time I use the es is to start once I'm seated as in if it dies while in traffic. No probs since new in 2003. I think the problem is OVER RATED. As far as I'm concerned, most of the probs are from to much advance in the timing, CAUSING kick back, thus causing the sprag-frag.  I am not one of those "as God and the Queen intended" folks.
 I don't buy the ES tumor argument.
           It is what it is...    Mike - 2003 Bullet, ES
              (have you considered removing the es relay??)

[Bankerdanny]

Once I paid the money for the parts and took the time to fix it I used it all the time. Mine started easilty with the kickstart, but the convenience of quick stab at the starter button and go was worth while.

[Vince]

     Baird, the problem is real. Most of my customers didn't have as much of an issue as others because I worked hard to overcome the issue. Part of this work was education. Bikes that are used more have less problem because they are better maintained, therefore less subject to the conditions that hasten failure. There early units had less problems. I surmise that there was a change in specification or jobber that later caused so much grief.
     I have no qualms about using it as long as the battery is kept up and the engine kept in tune.

[DireWolf]

Doesn't matter if my bike is right off of the battery tender, cold, warm, in-traffic, in the driveway.........I hit that starter button, I get a whine & nothing.

Anyway ---

Real men kick start.

[Phlakaton]

there is definately something wrong with my ES.  It only works after I've been riding it for the majority of the time.  I check the battery and it's got plenty of juice but it doesnt want to work almost always.  Real problem for me.  740 miles in too.

[Vince]

     When a customer notifies me of the condition you describe it is usually due to the low speeds and shorter rides of the break in procedure. A battery tender would probably take care of the issue. It is probably not in as good a state of charge as you think.
     Certainly there could be other problems, but charging the battery is cheap and easy. I would try that before I did anything else.

[Phlakaton]

I ride to work about 10 miles each way.  Morning and night.  That's about all the riding I do most days.  I will look into what you said. 

[Cabo Cruz]

To kick or not to kick?  That is the question.  And, the answer is, it depends on the muse!

[Flyfifer]

Whats an electric start? ,,,,,,lol

[DireWolf]

I ride to work about 10 miles each way.  Morning and night.  That's about all the riding I do most days.  I will look into what you said. 

20 miles should be enough.....Battery Tender Jrs. are cheap & worth the $$, anyway.  Even if your problem is further upstream from the battery.

[Chuck D]

Kickstart. Use it all the time, every time. Deeply satisfying.

[The Garbone]

I like my ES so much I am selling it on ebay.....

[REpozer]

My RE started first kick after sitting a month ( too icy) , I used the standard published technique.