[huntmafia]

Well for quite some time I've been considering installing a recoil pull rope start on my Honda Rancher.
It's a expensive group of parts to install and it looks pretty time consuming and invasive which I don't mind.
The question is it worth the cost, time and effort in regards to actual function and overall benefit.

I've spent some time researching this subject but still cannot find a definitive answer for these basic questions.

1. Will the recoil pull rope start actually start the ATV with a totally dead battery and will the ATV with fuel injection stay running?
2. Will the recoil pull rope start actually start the ATV with a low battery (not totally dead) and will the ATV with fuel injection stay running?

I realize the other aspects and benefits that a recoil start would provide overcoming issues such as: bad starter, bad starter solenoid and malfunctioning starter button or certain electronics, etc.
I also realize the benefit of carrying a back up battery or battery boost which is simply a good idea but my focus is on the other side of fence of dealing with the battery/EFI itself.

In my situation the likelihood of needing the recoil start is a very low percentage but at my age would be totally worth it if used just one time. Age changes your perspective in ways you can't imagine until you get there.

I've certainly read where others have posted, don't bother installing the recoil pull rope start, it's not worth it since a ATV with EFI won't run if the battery is dead.
Then I have asked the local Honda dealer would the ATV with EFI start and run with a recoil pull rope start if the battery is dead. There answer: Yes, it will - that's what it's for.

Your knowledge and personal experience is appreciated.

 

[misterclean59]

Good question, I'm waiting for an answer too.......I'm thinking not for a fuel injected wheeler.

 

[rustynut2]

I did this to my 16 and messed it up so be warned.

If you get the kit it comes with a capacitor that will run the fuel pump probably once with enough power to get the bike running. It took me 3 hard pulls from the rope to get it going even with a good battery. It was much harder to pull than I thought.

You have to remove the flywheel bolt and retorque it with the (gear) included with the kit. Torque value 80 ft/lbs, its impossible to hold and torque it at the same time without the right tool. You could take an impact gun and guess at the torque.

I messed up with the position of the gear in what looked to be an idiot proof job. Some how I damaged the bearing on the stator/crankshaft. I removed the kit, installed a new bearing and have smoked that bearing also. Looks like the oil is not getting to the bearing now. I have another one to install when I find time. The first damaged bearing fell apart and might have clogged the oil passage.

Now its not a hard install for an aircraft mechanic like myself. We all f-up now and then but my advise is to buy a new battery every couple years and carry on.

 

[rustynut2]

All Canadian models come with the pull start kit. It will start the atv in both cases you listed above.....if you're strong enough.

 

[Jeepwm69]

The new EFI machines won't start with a totally dead battery. I think there is supposed to be a capacitor included if you get the pull start kit, so hypothetically that should carry enough of a charge to fire it off if you have a completely dead battery and have to use the pull start, but to me it's a waste of money and space on the new bikes.

Add to that the fact that the pull start will fill up with mud and water, potentially holding muddy water against your rear crank seal, which can lead to muddy water in your engine, and I wouldn't do it.

The new bikes rely entirely too much on electronic stuff for a pull start to really be an effective way of starting them unless the battery isn't totally dead.

 

[Jeepwm69]

All Canadian models come with the pull start kit. It will start the atv in both cases you listed above.....if you're strong enough.

I've yanked on my 500's a few times just to see if I could start them with the pull rope. The only way I've ever been able to do it is if I had just cut the motor off. Once they sit for 5 mins or more there is no pull starting them (maybe priming them would help, but you can't do that on an EFI machine)

The big guy who rides with us just breaks the ropes off of pull starts, and the wheelers still don't start.

 

[alloutdoors]

In my situation the likelihood of needing the recoil start is a very low percentage but at my age would be totally worth it if used just one time. Age changes your perspective in ways you can't imagine until you get there.

I concur, age puts things into perspective and have been thinking of a backup for sometime. Thankfully I have not needed it, but the idea of uncertainty of a pull rope/yanking made me consider other options and I now carry one of these small units along and there are many models to select from, but light/small/portable.

 

[Melatv]

HI: I have a pull start on my bike -- it's not worth a dam -- if the battery is dead it will not start the bike -- I have found that soon as you turn key on the capacitor discharges. I carry a booster pack when riding alone.

 

[WiscoRancher]

I installed recoil. I would agree not the most fun. Please review Steps 19-23. My unit will not start. Checked condenser connection like it says,no starting when pulling. I can pull start once I plug back in power to relays and fuel pump but the reason I installed recoil was to be able to start with minimal battery life or if weather was extremely cold like a few weeks back here in WI. It should start without having rectifier plugged in. Any thoughts? 2009 TRX420 FA
Thanks