2018 GP300 not starting / breaking kickstarters

[Undertow]

Hi all

And greetings from Finland!

It was great to find an activ forum on GasGas. Already had great time reading through the posts.

This is my first post here and trust me, I?m going to give some head scratching for you guys

So I?ve had a GP300 for some time now, and only have been able to run five hours on the clock. Reason? The bike won?t start.

No, it is not ?it won?t crank? or ?it cranks but won?t start? kind of problem. It?s ?it barely turns over? and ?it eats up kick starters like bread? kind of problem.

When using starter it has real hard time making one revolution, like one rev per three seconds. I have changed new battery and leads to heavy gauge, and no difference.

When using kick starter there is a feeling like there would be real high compression. I have also broken three kick starters. They just give up and turn them selves over the cam when kicking. And trust me, I?m not a strong guy.

In the beginning the starter worked, slowly and loudly, but it could start the bike. But now it has no chance. The kick start works, but the last two kickers lasted few starts (the last one could take three kicks: one start, one failed attempt and on the third one it gave up).

Anyone had anything like this happening, ever?

The local importer is totally clueless. 😳

[Davehuge]

Your problem sounds really strange...

Right now I would forget about the battery and electric start motor, if you're damaging the kick start then there must be some big restriction.

What about if you remove the spark plug, then is it easy to turn the engine with the kick start?

At least this will tell you if the restriction is because of too much compression or because of some other mechanical restriction.

What about the coolant level, does it lose coolant? Just wondering if the cylinder head O ring has failed, allowing coolant into the combustion camber and causing a hydraulic lock?

If it's still difficult to turn the engine with the spark plug removed, then I would remove the right side engine cover and look for anything that might be causing restriction.

I'm sure this will be something very simple but just need to work what is causing the problem.

All the best, Dave.

[Jakobi]

What Dave said..

Sounds awefully mechanical to me.

Something binding somewhere where it shouldn't.

If it's a new bike do you have warranty options? A dealer you can take it to?

It could be anything from the e start binding, too much compression, a crank stuffer backing out.. but one thing for sure is that continuing to try and ride like this will be doing damage.

[Davehuge]

Originally Posted by Jakobi

If it's a new bike do you have warranty options?

Yes, it's one thing having to fault find yourself, but you shoudn't have to be paying for new parts.

Did you buy the bike from an 'official' GasGas dealer?

[Undertow]

The dealer is 400 km away. A small one guy company who is the official importer (small country, small motorbike factory).

Had one starter and cables in warranty, CDI is flashed (or new one) before delivery. Don?t have a good kick starter, but tried with a electric and it cranked ok when without plug. But I?ll try to use some old kickers to try with hand.

[Davehuge]

Yes, I can see the distance must be a problem.

Problem with using the electric start is you can't 'feel' if there's resistance.

Try removing the flywheel cover, left side of engine. With the spark plug removed you should be able to grip the flywheel with your fingers and rotate the crankshaft easily.

Let us know what you find.

Good luck, Dave.