Rentals
3 Ways to Start a Honda XR150
Most of the time, starting a Honda XR150 is as simple as turning the key and pressing a button. One of the advantages of this mechanically simple motorcycle, however, is that you have other options if the battery becomes weak or the electric starter does not work.
There are three useful ways to start an XR150: the electric starter, the kick starter and, in an emergency, a bump start. It is worth understanding all three before leaving on a multi-day motorcycle trip, even though you will probably use the electric starter almost every time.
Before trying any of them, make sure the fuel valve is in its normal ON position, the ignition is switched on and the engine stop switch is set to RUN. Put the motorcycle in neutral whenever possible, and if the engine is cold, use the choke as necessary.
For more information about the choke, fuel tap and other XR150 quirks, read 3 Things You MUST Know before riding a Honda XR150.
The Normal Way to Start an XR150
Electric Start
The electric starter is the normal way to start an XR150 and the method you will use almost every time. With the motorcycle in neutral, turn the ignition on, make sure the engine stop switch is set to RUN and check that the fuel valve is correctly positioned.
If the engine is cold, use the choke as necessary. Press the starter button and release it as soon as the engine fires rather than holding the starter continuously for a long period.
If the motorcycle does not start after a short attempt, stop and give the battery and starter a moment to recover. Check the simple things first rather than immediately assuming something is broken: fuel, ignition, kill switch, choke position and whether the motorcycle is actually in neutral.
Should You Use the Throttle?
As a general rule, ‘No.’
However, this can depend on engine temperature and carburettor setup, a small amount of throttle can sometimes help the XR150 start. There is no need to repeatedly twist the throttle or aggressively rev the engine while trying to get it running.
Once the motorcycle starts, allow the engine to settle into a steady idle. If you have used the choke, reduce it progressively as the engine warms rather than simply riding away with it fully engaged.
Starting the XR150 With the Kick Starter
When to Use the Kick Starter
One feature we particularly like about the XR150 is that it still has a kick starter. If the battery becomes too weak to operate the electric starter properly, the kick starter gives you another way of turning the engine over without needing another vehicle or a jump start.
This can be particularly reassuring on a long trip through more remote parts of Vietnam. A weak battery does not necessarily mean the end of your riding day.
How to Kick Start an XR150
The kick-start lever is on the right-hand side of the motorcycle. Fold it outward, make sure the ignition and fuel are on, put the motorcycle in neutral and use the choke if the engine is cold.
Push the lever down slowly until you begin to feel resistance, then allow it to return toward the top of its travel. From there, press it firmly and smoothly through the stroke rather than jumping violently on it.
If the engine does not start, allow the lever to reset and try again. A deliberate full movement is generally more effective than a series of short, weak kicks.
Once the engine starts, let the lever return and fold it back into its normal position. Do not use the kick starter while the engine is already running.
Why the Kick Starter Matters in Vietnam
The XR150’s kick starter is a good example of why mechanical simplicity can be useful on a touring motorcycle. Modern electronics are convenient, but having a completely separate way of turning the engine over gives you another option when something does not go exactly according to plan.
You may ride for months without needing it. The value becomes obvious the morning you discover a weak battery somewhere a long way from a workshop.
Cold Starting the Honda XR150
Now, this business of starting bikes is all well and good but sometimes it is a little cold and hard for the bike to get going. This is where the choke lever comes in and you can use it in conjunction with any of the methods above.
This lever is situated in the heart of the bike on the carburettor. It has 3 settings: fully OFF, HALF ON, and fully ON. When you first try to start the bike you can flip the lever to its highest position. This will give the bike a lot of fuel and hopefully it will start.
Once it is running and maybe idling you can reduce this to the first position and then fully OFF. You should not drive away whilst the choke is on because it affects the acceleration of the bike. You might not be used to this and it is potentially dangerous.
Another reason for turning the choke OFF before you drive away is that it uses a LOT of fuel and we should try not to waste this.
Now the bike is idling well and you are ready to ride. Have fun.
Honda XR 150 Motorcycle Rental
Ready for adventure? The Honda XR150 is your perfect companion for rugged backroads, mountain passes, and open highways.
✅ Lightweight, reliable, and fuel-efficient
✅ Comfortable for long rides and multi-day tours
✅ Trusted by riders across Vietnam for the legendary Ha Giang Loop
Emergency Bump Starting
When to Bump Start an XR150
A bump start, sometimes called a push start, is the method we would use only when the normal starting options are unavailable. It uses the movement of the rear wheel to turn the engine through the transmission, so you need enough safe space to get the motorcycle rolling.
A gentle downhill slope makes the process considerably easier. If you are on a busy road, steep descent or somewhere with poor visibility, find a safer location before attempting it.
How to Bump Start an XR150
Turn on the ignition, make sure the engine stop switch is set to RUN and check that the fuel valve is on. Pull in the clutch and select second gear, which generally works better than first because it reduces the chance of simply locking the rear wheel.
Get the motorcycle rolling at a brisk walking or jogging pace. Once you have enough momentum, release the clutch decisively so the rear wheel turns the engine.
As soon as the engine fires, pull the clutch back in and use a small amount of throttle if necessary to keep it running. Once everything is stable, stop somewhere safe before setting off normally.
Bump Starting Is a Backup, Not a Repair
Bump starting is useful to know, but it should not become the normal solution to a starting problem. If an XR150 repeatedly needs to be bump started, there is an underlying issue that should be investigated.
The battery may be weak, the charging system may have a problem or another fault may be preventing normal starting. The objective of a bump start is to get you moving when necessary, not to ignore the reason the normal starting system has failed.
When the XR150 Still Won’t Start
Check the Simple Things First
If the electric starter, kick starter and bump-starting technique all fail, stop repeatedly trying to force the motorcycle to start. Work through the basic causes methodically before doing anything else.
Check that the ignition is on, the engine stop switch is in RUN, the fuel valve is correctly positioned and there is actually fuel in the tank. If the main fuel supply has run out, you may need to switch to reserve.
Also consider the engine temperature. A cold carburetted XR150 may need the choke, while a warm engine may run poorly if too much choke is still applied.
Do Not Start Adjusting Things at Random
If those basic checks are correct and the motorcycle still refuses to run, contact us rather than beginning to dismantle or adjust the bike beside the road. Randomly altering the carburettor, wiring or controls can turn a simple problem into a much larger one.
The XR150 is mechanically simple, but that does not mean every problem should be diagnosed by trial and error. If you are renting the motorcycle, it is better to call us and describe exactly what the bike is doing.
Which Starting Method Should You Use?
For almost every ordinary start, use the electric starter. If the battery is weak and the electric starter cannot turn the engine properly, use the kick starter.
If neither of those options gets the motorcycle running and you are somewhere safe enough to do so, a bump start may get you moving. Knowing all three methods simply gives you options when something unexpected happens.
Why Choose the Honda XR150
The Honda XR150 is an excellent bike for Vietnam. She is light and agile and has enough power for most situations. The bike is great for both on and light offroad and it won’t break down easily. It is very easy to drive and manouvre in traffic here and other drivers of think you are bigger than you really are. Also, mechanics all over the country are becoming familiar with the bike so it means you can get parts and repairs.
She won’t get you up the toughest enduro hills but there are plenty of great roads out there that are not as tough as hell to drive. There is also a lack of power but when you are here as a tourist and are not in a hurry you’ll find she purrs along just as fast as you need.
FAQ
What is the easiest way to start a Honda XR150?
The electric starter is the normal and easiest method. Put the motorcycle in neutral, make sure the ignition, fuel valve and engine stop switch are correctly positioned, use the choke if needed, and press the starter button.
Can you kick start a Honda XR150 with a dead battery?
Often, yes. The kick starter mechanically turns the engine and can therefore be extremely useful when the battery is too weak to operate the electric starter properly.
A completely separate electrical fault may still prevent the motorcycle from running, so kick starting is not a solution to every possible problem.
Can you bump start a Honda XR150?
Yes, a manual XR150 can be bump started in appropriate circumstances. Second gear usually works better than first because it reduces the chance of simply locking the rear wheel.
Only attempt it somewhere you have sufficient space and can do so safely.
Why won’t my Honda XR150 start when it is cold?
A cold carburetted engine may need a richer fuel mixture to start properly. This is what the choke provides.
If the motorcycle starts easily once warm but is reluctant first thing in the morning, correct choke use is one of the first things to check.
How long should I hold the electric starter button?
Do not hold it continuously for long periods. Honda’s instructions advise stopping after a short attempt if the engine does not start and allowing time before trying again.
Repeatedly holding the starter down can unnecessarily discharge the battery and overheat the starter system.
Three Ways Home
For everyday riding, you may go months using nothing except the electric starter. That is exactly how it should be.
The value of knowing the other methods appears when something goes wrong. A weak battery in a remote mountain village is considerably less worrying when you know there is a kick-start lever waiting on the side of the engine.
That mechanical simplicity is one of the reasons we continue to like the XR150 for travelling around Vietnam.
For more practical XR150 information, read 3 Things You MUST Know before riding a Honda XR150. If you are still deciding whether this is the right motorcycle for your trip, compare 10 Reasons We Love the Honda XR150 for touring Vietnam with 10 Things We Don’t Love about the Honda XR150.
You can also see 7 Honda XR150 Modifications we make for touring Vietnam to understand how we prepare our rental bikes for longer journeys.