All posts by dstech

Honda big red starts only with kick start with high beams on.

So recently I was experimenting with my honda big red 1983, by putting the old battery in it and seeing if it would kick start. It started but would not drive because as soon as you gave it throttle it would bog down and stall. So I tried to jump start it with the new battery and when you turned the key no dash lights, no headlights, no electric start or anything, the only thing that worked was the horn. So I then decided to put the new battery back in and see what would happen and it did the same thing. I assumed I blew one of the fuses somewhere but the two fuses in the battery box were fine. So after a day or two of tinkering, the only way to get the bike started was to kick start it with the high beam switch on, with a load. The headlights are smashed and the wires from the light switch on the handle bars were left there unused so i decided to hook my lightbar up to them. If you unplug the lightbar the quadbike will run then bog down till it stalls. Having the switch on and the lightbar connected it will kickstart first time every time.The only difference having the battery in makes is being able to use the horn. Without a battery it would kick start just fine, but I decided to put it in just so it had something to circulate through. The light bar flickers bright when idling but as soon as you rev it slightly it will dim, but will stop flickering. The battery is fine, it gives a nice spark still and is only a month or two old so that’s out. Any help would be very much appreciated. All of the time no dash lights, electric start, or headlights only the horn working. Everything was working perfectly before I was tinkering so I can live with kick starting it, but it would be nice to have electric start.

Honda big red starts only with kick start with high beams on.

So recently I was experimenting with my honda big red 1983, by putting the old battery in it and seeing if it would kick start. It started but would not drive because as soon as you gave it throttle it would bog down and stall. So I tried to jump start it with the new battery and when you turned the key no dash lights, no headlights, no electric start or anything, the only thing that worked was the horn. So I then decided to put the new battery back in and see what would happen and it did the same thing. I assumed I blew one of the fuses somewhere but the two fuses in the battery box were fine. So after a day or two of tinkering, the only way to get the bike started was to kick start it with the high beam switch on, with a load. The headlights are smashed and the wires from the light switch on the handle bars were left there unused so i decided to hook my lightbar up to them. If you unplug the lightbar the quadbike will run then bog down till it stalls. Having the switch on and the lightbar connected it will kickstart first time every time.The only difference having the battery in makes is being able to use the horn. Without a battery it would kick start just fine, but I decided to put it in just so it had something to circulate through. The light bar flickers bright when idling but as soon as you rev it slightly it will dim, but will stop flickering. The battery is fine, it gives a nice spark still and is only a month or two old so that’s out. Any help would be very much appreciated. All of the time no dash lights, electric start, or headlights only the horn working. Everything was working perfectly before I was tinkering so I can live with kick starting it, but it would be nice to have electric start.

Hello from gilford

Hey guys just wanted to introduce my self. Names jamie i am currently riding a 2011 xmr 800 love it. My son rides a 650 outlander he just started riding by himself but were both having a blast just need to find better skegy spots and muddy areas.

Jumped Ship…..Well, Sorta

Well, for the past 2 summers the wife & I have been talking about getting rid of the old 2009 Rhino 700 & upgrading to something more modern/sporty. Since buying the 2 new Grizzlies in 2014 it pretty much only got driven on our camping trips & that was usually only to haul firewood. After a couple months combing the other brands forums doing research & a few test rides we made our decision. On July 15th we picked up our new 2016 Can-Am Maverick 1000R XXC. We’ve put over 200 miles on it & we’re very pleased with this machine. Completely different animal we have now & really can’t be compared to the Rhino. Utility vs. Sport would be an unfair comparison. First impressions: The power is flat out awesome, the suspension is amazing & I find the seats to be quite comfortable. I like the tilt steering wheel/gauge cluster & the general layout of he entire dash area. The Maxxis Bighorn 2.0 tires are nice too. I do wish the rear rack/storage area was a bit bigger, but I can live with it. After some more seat time I’m sure I’ll find other things to nitpick as well – lol. Overall, very happy with the purchase. Here’s a couple pics from the day we bought it & unloaded it from the toyhauler on a camping trip. Take care everyone !!

Big Sky Country, MT

These pics were taken around the Georgetown Lake area of southwest Montana. Most of these were taken during the last week of June while we were camping.


Shower’s Lake a.k.a Avalanche Lake

Mount Warren

Big Racetrack Lake

The bear pics were taken about 200 yards from our camp.

Finally, one of the best pics we have ever gotten…..