i know it says that but its awfully misleading. kick start bikes don't require batteries so i don't know how it could be eliminated.

looky looky

the kickstart turns over the engine but doesnt provide the spark. u still need electricity from somwhere. maybe its possible to have a magneto working with the kickstart to start the bike? not sure, im trying to figure out how bikes work and the electrical is more mysterious to me than the mechanical. but i think most bike manufacterers would think thats stupid cuz the same magneto wouldn't be able to power anything else but the spark plug. idk, im looking for more clearity

wrenchmonkees built this bike http://www.motorcyclespecs.co.za/model/Custom%20Bikes/Wrenchmonkees%20BMW%20R100RT.htm

for a man in africa where theres few recources for mechanical stuff. i think its interesting that they used a battery on that bike but alot of their bikes they use eliminators. which is more reliable for long term rural use? I have heard that a well used 12v battery will last 5 years maximum.

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but seeing as how they sell batteries and battery eliminator kits for a sr500 im going to assume that yes it does use a battery. it doesnt require a battery to run the motorcycle but it uses it to run the electronic shit. the eliminator kit takes the battery out and replaces it with a capacitor.

my friend told me that a battery is essentially a capacitor too. is that true?

The magneto can provide spark and plenty of extra power for a headlight, etc.

Same as if you had a kick start on your car. You wouldn't need a battery to run the engine and all the electronics once its running.

And yes this is more reliable because like you said even a good battery generally only lasts about 5 years.

Ever seen a kickstart dirtbike with a headlight?

They use magnetos.

they have the battery on it to run things like the headlight. if you dont have a battery the headlight will pulse with the engine speed. with a battery it stays constant. it doesnt need the battery to start and drive the motorcycle just to provide a constant source of power for the electronics.

ok that makes sense, dirtbikes are made to be light and have few electronics, so of course there wouldnt be a battery. i havea 91 xr 250. it uses a battery. this is probably a stupid question, but theres no chance a bike witha battery might also have a magneto is there? does a magneto charge the battery?

i dont know about a motorcycle but my sport atv uses a rectifier regulator to charge the battery