KickStarting the Raga
 

So I finally got my 2012 Raga and was able to take it out for 1 day before the rain then winter mix hit. Great bike. Amazing handling. I can't imagine a trials bike being any better, except for the little kid sized kick start.

I know saving weight is key but they could have made the thing a inch longer and the added weight would have been mere grams. It works ok when everything is perfectly dry but get a little mud on your boots and it's almost impossible to stay on it. If they can't make it bigger they could at least add some traction knurling or something.

I hate the thought, but have considered cutting some groves in the back side where your boot hits it when kicking, parallel to the kickstart so it won't create stress risers. Or maybe even drill and tap a few holes and add some allenhead set screws like in footpegs or pedals.

I can deal with it the way it is but have to be really careful and slip off a lot of the time maybe getting 1 good kick out of 5 tries. And since you get such a short stroke with each kick that can take a lot of tires. But that was just with a little mud. If it was actually a muddy or rainy day it would be quite a struggle.

Does anyone do anything to improve this situation?

Try GasGas USA or a trials forum.

Will the longer starters for the older (pre Pro) models and Pampera fit the splines? If so its the same as the EC/XC, KTM, and YZ so you have options.

i might help if you put a piece of tubing or hose over the lever.
it can be wired tied and remove later.

i dont have any trouble with my 01 txt280 so we can trade bikes, i'll pay shipping. you're welcome

I have exactly the same issue, with my KX 250. Once it's wet and/or muddy, it's a real chore to stay on it. I slid(forced) a piece of rubber fuel line onto the kick lever. While the piece of rubber is a bit slick, at least there's substance for my boot to grab. I'm still looking for something to do the same thing, but have tad bit of abbrasion.

old harley trick . Weld on a bicycle foot peddle. :D

250 two stroke woods/MX bikes like our GGs and a KX should be no issue. What may be your problem is that the stop on the starter lever and/or the pivot is worn, causing the lever to fold out past 90 deg to the motor.

if it takes allot of kicks/tries to start it, the jetting maybe off.
or the procedure you use.
in an effort to save my energy, when i have to restart after a get-off i'll hold the throttle wide open and kick it thru slowly, not a good start-the-bike kind of kick, to get the possible rich mixture out,
this rally helps.

another trick with trials is dont kick like an enduro
enduros kick easier and have less compression fighting you

when you go to give it the start-the-bike-kick drop your weight onto the stroke by bending your non kicking leg
it sounds weird and it feels weird but you are just using gravity and your body weight to do the work

search for jim snell videos
he has one that shoes the technic

also slowly stroke till the kickstarter is engaged
never, on any bike, just start stabbing away