Haven burned out a starter already, I've been using my kick starter to get the scoot fired up during the winter. I've found that it starts the scooter easily (usually first kick) and saves the battery and starter from the consequences of excess cranking using the electric start.
This worked great - right up until my cvt cover cracked in the area around the starter drive gear. Seems like the kick starter really is meant for backup use and not daily use. So just an fyi for those who, like me, figured that using the kick starter was better than straining the electric starter.
On the bright side, a new cvt cover was somewhat cheaper than a new starter....
