I have been struggleing thus far learning exactly how my bike likes to be started. First lesson: DON'T FLOOD A KX500 ! OK, so I learned that lesson the hard way. My 5 easily floods if I do too many starts, and quick shutdowns. My bike cold, seems to be a 3 kick bike with the choke on. Seem to be a 1 or 2 kick bike hot (as long as I do 1/4 open throttle). One great technique I have learned is to go against the generall KX Riders' opinion, and bring the piston up the a tad BEFORE TDC, and literally jump on the kickstart, rather then just use leg force to kick it. This seems to allow 2 cycles in one kick strike. I did this all Sun afternoon, and my KX lites off every time with one kick. Anyway, I just thought I would throw out my thoughs on starting, as I have learned a TIREING lesson, that you can waste a lot energy kicking a 500 and not getting anywhere, which is NOT good! LOL