Does Kickstart Require a Battery?

The motorbike ignition system is indeed complex, and you may hear that you don’t require a motorbike battery to start the motorbike. And that’s why the question arises, does kickstart require a battery? 

If your motorbike comes with a capacitor discharge ignition system, then your motorbike won’t require any battery to start. Even the kickstart is wholly independent of the battery and will start the motorbike even if the motorbike battery is dead. While if your motorbike comes with transistor coil ignition, then your motorbike will require a battery to start. 

Let’s consider what it means and what you can do about it. 

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can know everything about starting a motorbike without a battery. 

Does Kickstart Require a Battery? 

The motorbike ignition system is complex, and you may see some riders starting their motorbike without the battery. Now the question arises, does kickstart require a battery? 

If your motorbike comes with a capacitor discharge ignition system, then your motorbike won’t require any battery to start. Even the kickstart is wholly independent of the battery and will start the motorbike even if the motorbike battery is dead. While if your motorbike comes with transistor coil ignition, then your motorbike will require a battery to start. 

However, only a few motorbikes available on the market come with CDI. 

Does Dead Battery Make Motorbike Kick Start Not Working? 

So far, you understand that kick start doesn’t require a motorbike if it comes with CDI. Now the question arises, does a dead motorbike battery make the motorbike kick start not work?  

If your motorbike kickstart isn’t working, then a dead motorbike battery is likely the reason. Still, it is not necessarily that your motorbike battery is the main culprit behind it. It could be possible that your motorbike ignition fuse wires are disconnected or fused together. 

It would be best if you closely inspect your motorbike ignition system if your motorbike kickstart isn’t working. 

Why Does Kickstart Require a Battery? 

So far, you understand that you can start the motorbike with a kickstart without the motorbike battery. Now the question arises, why does Kickstarter require a battery? 

Kickstart doesn’t require a battery unless your motorbike ignition system is based on a transistor coil ignition system. The TCI system requires a motorbike battery to supply the current to the starter motor. And once the starter motor gets current, it will start the motion in the piston. 

And because of this piston motion, the engine makes the motorbike tires move, and without the motorbike battery, your piston won’t move an inch away if its ignition system is based on TCI. 

Does a Motorcycle Require a Battery to Run Continuously? 

So far, you understand that a dead motorbike battery would make your motorbike not start. Now the question arises, do motorcycles require a battery to run continuously? 

Your motorbike doesn’t require a motorbike battery to keep running, as your motorbike battery doesn’t play any crucial role while your motorbike battery keeps running. However, you can remove your motorbike battery while running the motorbike only when the alternator malfunctions. 

If the alternator is fully capable of producing the current for your motorbike battery, it would be worthless to remove it. 

Also, read my previous post where I discussed what keeps the battery charged on a motorcycle and how can you boost the battery health to last long, CLICK HERE to read.

Can You Kickstart the High CC Motorbike Without Battery? 

Indeed it would be worthless to remove the motorbike battery if your motorbike is running continuously. Can you kickstart the high CC motorbike without a battery? 

Generally, the high CC motorbike comes with a TCI ignition system which requires a motorbike battery to ignite the motorbike ignition if you ever try to kickstart a motorbike. The CDI system, found in small motorbikes, doesn’t require a battery for a kickstart to ignite the motorbike engine. 

However, some small motorbikes are now coming with the TCI system, so you no longer can’t kick start the motorbike without the battery.

Can You Kick Start the Dirtbike Without Battery?  

Indeed you can kick start the motorbike battery without the battery; now the question arises, can you kick start the dirtbike without the battery? 

You can kick start the dirtbike without the battery, as most dirt bikes come with the CDI ignition system. This CDI ignition system will even work if your motorbike battery dies. And what better than starting the motorbike without the battery or with the dead battery and later charging it while riding it? 

With this technique, you can save your motorbike from any external charging method and its problems.

When Won’t the CDI System Motorcycle Start with the Kickstart? 

So far, you understand that you can start the motorbike without a motorbike battery. Now the question arises, when does the CDI system motorcycle won’t start with the kickstart? 

Suppose your CDI system-based motorbike isn’t starting even with the multiple kickstarts. In that case, you need to closely inspect the internal wires, motorbike gas, kickstart lever, or internal engine wires, which could be responsible for starting the motorbike. 

It could be highly possible that the motorbike engine fuel system is clogged up because of a lack of proper winterization technique, which doesn’t let your motorbike start even after multiple kicks. 

It would be best to consider inspecting the motorbike wires’ conditions. It may be possible that your motorbike’s internal wires get ruined by rodents while storing it. 

Why Motorcycle Won’t Start: 

Although there are many reasons why your motorbike stops responding, here I’m going to discuss some most commonly found reasons. 

Don’t worry, in the later section I’ve mentioned some solutions for problems. 

Faulty Battery: 

A faulty battery can be one of the reasons why your motorbike stops responding.

And unfortunately, many riders do not pay attention to their motorbike battery which will make the situation severe.

If you see signs like sluggish light, and problems in starting a motorbike, the faulty battery could be the reason. 

Generally, a motorbike battery goes down when there’s a problem with your stator or an electric charge-producing device, or you’ve installed devices beyond your motorbike battery capacity. 

Spark Plug: 

A bad spark plug is the second reason your motorbike stops responding to the kick and self-start buttons. 

A spark plug is a device that generates a spark causing your motorbike engine to ignite. 

The spark plug usually stops responding when its ceramic coating cracks, causing the charge to choose the least resistant path. And it prevents the spark plug from generating an electric charge. 

Experts recommend checking the spark plug when igniting the motorbike engine. If you see a small spark, then your spark plug works fine, and vice versa. 

Generally, the faulty spark plug is pretty standard when your motorbike is oil or if someone drops your spark plug before installing it in your motorbike. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict: 

Does kickstart require a battery? If your motorbike comes with a capacitor discharge ignition system, then your motorbike won’t need any battery to start. 

Even the kickstart is entirely independent of the battery and will start the motorbike even if your motorbike is dead. While if your motorbike comes with transistor coil ignition, then your motorbike will require a battery to start.