Why have kick starters gone extinct?

[furious_blue_imp]

Picking up a SR400 in a couple of days that is kick start ONLY.

The bike has NOT been a commercial success.....I'm guessing the high price and no e-start are the culprits

I'd like to hear how it is to kickstart. I've noticed the Japanese promo videos that show a fashionably dressed young lady kicking her SR400 with disdainful non-chalance (sp), then off on her way....

I've only seen one in the wild so far.. looks really good on the road.