Michael Thomas

One of the charms of motorcycle riding is the smooth-shifting manual clutch and gear system. Therefore, it’s incredibly frustrating when your clutch or gear shifting action is inhibited by a problem making it hard to change gears on your motorcycle. This article dives into the 12 most common reasons why a motorcycle develops clutch or …

Motorcycle Clutch & Gear Shifting Problems: 12 Common Issues (solved) Read More »

There’s nothing more frustrating than turning your key to fire up your motorcycle or pushing your starter button only to hear a cough, a whine, a click, or absolute silence. This article dives into the 7 most common reasons a motorcycle develops starting problems and how to solve them. We’ll also look at some models …

Motorcycle Start Problems: 6 Common Issues (Solved) Read More »

One of the most charming aspects of motorcycle riding is twisting the throttle and feeling the wind rush against you as you accelerate. But if your motorcycle suddenly loses power or bogs down while accelerating, you’ll likely feel, at best, frustrated and, at worst, like your life is in danger. This article explains the 12 …

Motorcycle Acceleration Problems: 12 Common Issues (Solved) Read More »

Engine overheating occurs when a motorcycle engine produces more heat than it can dissipate. Due to the nature of their engine manners, high-performance motorcycles, and race bikes commonly experience overheating, as do air-cooled engines, poorly maintained, and hard-ridden motos. This article explains the 8 most common reasons motorcycle engines experience heating problems. Before we delve …

Motorcycle Engine Heating Problems: 8 Common Issues (Solved) Read More »

A motorcycle backfire is a loud, startling popping sound that comes from your exhaust pipe when unburned fuel ignites in the hot pipe or intake manifold. Backfires happen on most bikes every once in a while, but if your motorcycle is backfiring on a regular basis, it indicates a problem somewhere in your air, fuel, …

Motorcycle Backfire Problems: 11 Common Issues (Solved) Read More »

A motorcycle’s chain is essential to the power transmission system that connects the engine to the rear wheel. A clicking noise from your motorcycle chain can, therefore, indicate numerous problems, either with the chain or with other components on your motorcycle. In this article, we will explain the eight most common causes of chain noise, …

Motorcycle Chain Making Clicking Noise? 8 Reasons (Explained) Read More »

The average motorcycle has a fuel efficiency rating of roughly 44 MPG. Meanwhile, modern moto-tech has allowed some motorcycle models to achieve much higher averages. Also, huge tank capacities on modern touring motorcycles allow for some long-distance travel between fuel stops. Of course, these numbers may vary depending on real-world conditions and how you ride …

How Far Can Motorcycles Go On Full Tank? (11 Examples) Read More »

Maybe your motorcycle exhaust used to purr like a kitten but somehow developed a louder, more aggressive exhaust tone. Or maybe you are tired of your neighbors plugging their ears and rolling their eyes when you rip in and out of your driveway or building complex. Either way, you’ve come to the right place – …

Motorcycle Exhaust TOO Loud? 8 Reasons (Explained) Read More »

It’s a beautiful feeling when the Spring sun is shining bright enough to finally wheel your motorcycle out of the garage to take the season’s first ride. But if your motorcycle chain is rusty, corroded, or dry enough to impair your bike’s momentum, your ride might be cut short. This article lists seven steps to …

Motorcycle Chain Is Rusty? 7 Steps To Remove It Read More »

It’s easy to blame the battery when your motorcycle doesn’t start—it’s not uncommon for the battery to be the issue. That said, there are some cases when you know for a fact your battery is good, but your motorcycle still won’t start. This article lists nine troubleshooting solutions to employ if your motorcycle won’t start, …

Motorcycle Won’t Start But Battery Is Good? (9 Solutions) Read More »

A modern motorcycle is only as powerful as its battery. It doesn’t matter how well-tuned your bike’s engine is if its battery won’t hold a charge. This article therefore lists the most common reasons a motorcycle battery doesn’t charge and how to fix the various problems. Let’s check them one after the other. 1. Using …

Motorcycle Battery Won’t Hold Charge? (8 Reasons) Read More »

If the chain of your motorcycle isn’t adjusted to the tension specified in its owner’s manual, a slew of problems can unfold while you ride. If it’s too loose, your motorcycle chain causes a dip in your bike’s performance, and the chain can fall off track and slap around, risking damage to engine parts and …

Motorcycle Chain Too Loose? 9 Things That May Happen Read More »

Modern motorcycles rely heavily on their electrical systems for their fundamental functioning. While electricity is essential on ECU-powered fuel-injected bikes, any motorcycle with a headlight, backlit-instrument display, and electric starter requires battery current for healthy operation. This article lists the most common reasons a motorcycle loses electrical power while riding.   1. Test your Regulator/Rectifier …

Motorcycle Lose Electrical Power While Riding? (11 Solutions) Read More »

While many modern bikes incorporate many of the same bells and whistles as cars, a bike engine is still a pretty straightforward operation. Once it starts, a combustion-based motorcycle engine requires air, fuel, and ignition to stay in motion. This article explores the most common reasons why a motorcycle shuts off while riding but then …

Motorcycle Shuts Off While Riding – But Starts Back Up? (8 Solutions) Read More »

One of the simplest pleasures of motorcycle riding is the sweet sound of a crisp motorcycle engine puttering along in the wind. However, a rough-running motorcycle engine adds insults to an injury. Not only is a rough-sounding engine indicative of a mechanical problem, but it also interferes with the state of your ride. This article …

Motorcycle Engine Sounds Rough? 11 Typical Reasons (Explained) Read More »

All motorcycle clutches miss grabs occasionally, but if your motorcycle clutch doesn’t engage at all, it could indicate a severe issue. And because motorcycles are dynamic machines that comprise integrated systems working together, if the clutch isn’t grabbing correctly, it may be a result of damage elsewhere in the bike. This article lists 11 reasons …

Motorcycle Clutch Won’t Engage? 11 Reasons (Explained) Read More »

If your motorcycle pulls to one side while you’re riding, it not only takes the fun out of the situation, but an uncontrollable lean to one side is also a dangerous, potentially fatal affair. The most common reasons a motorcycle leans to one side are uneven or unbalanced tires or misalignment between the handlebars, forks, …

Motorcycle Pulls To One Side? Here’s Why (7 Solutions) Read More »

For some, the purring oscillation of a rip-roaring motorcycle engine is a valued part of motorcycle riding. But if your motorcycle starts vibrating to the point of feeling dangerous, unmanageable, or uncomfortable, it may indicate a problem with the bike. Failure to fix a vibration-causing motorcycle issue early on can lead to a collision or …

Why Does My Motorcycle Vibrate? 8 Reasons (Solved) Read More »

Popping motorcycle seats off in the field is necessary for all riders at some point. Whether you’re trying to access your bike’s battery, motor, air box, or fuel tank on some bikes, you’d need to take your motorcycle seat off for various reasons. Not all motorcycle seats function the same way. Some are just a …

Motorcycle Seat Is Stuck? 8 Common Issues (Solved) Read More »

One of the most exciting parts of motorcycle riding is how it leans through the corners. Rather than turning the handlebars to the left and right the way you would turn a steering wheel, you can turn a motorcycle by leaning your body towards the direction you want to go. There are more than a …

Why Do Motorcycles Turn When You Lean? (Explained) Read More »

Like all combustion engines, the power of a motorcycle is generated by the smooth functioning of its ignition, fuel and air intake systems. Therefore, if there’s a hiccup with the ignition spark, timing, fuel supply, or airflow, the motorcycle’s power supply and throttle response will drag. This article elaborates on the most common problems that …

Motorcycle Loses Power At High RPM? Here’s Why (8 Solutions) Read More »

Combustion engines are made functional by the dynamic relationship of the air intake, fuel, and ignition systems which power the pistons to generate the force that spins the rear wheel. A slight interference with either of these systems can cause a negative impact on a motorcycle’s performance. This article has dived into the specific failures …

Motorcycle Lagging When Accelerating? Here’s Why (8 Solutions) Read More »

It’s a frustrating enough story, running out of gas during a motorcycle ride. If you refill your motorcycle’s fuel tank and the bike doesn’t fire up, you may be frustrated and stranded. This article covers the most common reasons a motorcycle won’t start after running out of gas and how to get it back on …

7 Reasons a Motorcycle Won’t Start After Running Out of Gas Read More »

One of the most typical issues motorcyclists encounter during their riding career is a motorcycle that jumps out of gear. Gear engagement difficulties commonly result from clutch and oil systems problems and failures within the chains, sprockets, or shifting equipment. This article explores the typical reasons a motorcycle jumps out of gear and how to …

Motorcycle Jumps Out of Gear? 7 Typical Reasons (Solved) Read More »

Motorcycle starting issues can be hard to deduce, even for the most experienced motorcyclist. While motorcycles are simple machines overall, riders may find that a bike lags at startup due to various issues. Sometimes it takes some old-fashioned trial-and-error style troubleshooting. Still, if you familiarize yourself with the following list, you can jump right to …

Motorcycle Takes Too Long to Start? (11 Common Reasons) Read More »

Any motorcycle can feel a little unstable once it’s blazing over 100 MPH or if you’re leaning through a turn at high speeds and try to brake at the last second. That said, if your motorcycle feels unstable often, whether intermittently or for the majority of the time while you’re riding, it could indicate a …

Motorcycle Feels Unstable? 8 Typical Reasons (Solved) Read More »

As fuel for motorcycle operation, gasoline is one of the more obvious critical components of a fully-functional motorcycle. That said, engine oil is just as critical to the healthy functioning of a motorcycle as it provides proper lubrication and cooling to the motor, transmission, and gearbox components. If your motorcycle engine oil smells like gas, …

Motorcycle Oil Smells like Gas? Here’s Why (For Beginners) Read More »

One of the most common problems motorcyclists experience during the course of their riding career is jerking or shaking while shifting. Shifting problems generally result from failures within the clutch and oil systems, chains and sprockets, or the shifting equipment. This article explores the most common reasons why a motorcycle jerks while shifting and how …

Motorcycle Jerks When Shifting Gears? (9 Reasons & Solutions) Read More »

Giving your motorcycle engine ample time to warm up before riding is critical to ensuring your motorcycle performs reliably and lasts for years. Although modern, fuel-injected motorcycles shouldn’t require a much warm-up as their carburated ancestors do, warming your bike engine also loosens the thick viscosity of cold oil for more efficient circulation and lubrication. …

Motorcycle Warms Up Too Slowly? (Beginner’s Guide) Read More »

Numerous aspects of motorcycle riding make it one of the most enjoyable pastimes, from the crisp air in your hair and breeze on your knees to the instant access to power a combustion-engine throttle puts at your fingertips. For some riders, one of the highlights of ripping pavement is the royal roar of their bike …

10 Motorcycle Noises Solved (Explained For Beginners) Read More »

While motorcycle engines are still much more straightforward than cars, they get increasingly sophisticated every year. Revving and accelerating problems on a motorcycle generally mean issues with the fuel supply, air supply, or ignition system, but these days, navigating these three systems can be pretty complex. This article lists the most common reasons a motorcycle …

10 Reasons a Motorcycle Won’t Rev Past 4000-6000 RPM Read More »

A motorcycle battery is the first step in firing up your starter and sparking your engine. Once your motorcycle is up and running, your charging system converts engine power into a current the battery can use to recharge, regulating the current so the battery never draws more energy than it can handle. If your motorcycle …

Motorcycle Battery Getting Hot? 10 Common Reasons (Solved) Read More »

A backfire is a term used to describe the loud gunshot sound from your motorcycle’s exhaust. A backfire on a motorcycle is the result of fuel that didn’t ignite in the combustion chamber flowing into the exhaust. The heat in the closed space of the exhaust combusts the untouched fuel inside the pipe, causing a …

Motorcycle Keeps Backfiring? Here’s Why (6 Solutions) Read More »

Shifting on a motorcycle is different than on any other manually operated vehicle. For starters, instead of a clutch pedal, there’s a clutch hand lever; instead of a hand shifter, there’s a foot shifter that shifts up and down through the gears in both directions.  The eye-hand-foot-hand-foot coordination required for riding a motorcycle can already …

Motorcycle Making Hard Gear Shifts? (Explained For Beginners) Read More »

Most motorcycle engines are combustion engines, meaning the compressed fuel and air mix are combusted or ignited to move the piston. These days, that mix is regulated by an Electronic Fuel Injection or EFI computer via the bike’s ECU. Before fuel injection became the standard, most motorcycles equipped a part called a carburetor for maintaining …

Motorcycle Dies When Choke Is Turned Off? 6 Reasons (Solved) Read More »

A rough idle on a motorcycle is when the RPMs develop inconsistencies and go up and down sporadically while idling. Rough idling is often accompanied by vibrating and shaking, causing riders to bounce up and down in their motorcycle saddle under challenging situations. In some cases, the motorcycle idle RPMs will return to their typical …

Motorcycle Idles Rough? (RPM Goes Up And Down) SOLVED Read More »

White, bluish-white, and black-colored smoke can indicate some serious problems with your motorcycle engine. The first section of this article will examine the common reasons a motorcycle blows white smoke. The second section looks at the various reasons a motorcycle blows black smoke. Reading both article sections, the reader will learn how to recognize and …

Motorcycle Blows White or Black Smoke? 9 Reasons (Solved) Read More »

We know the story. The homie came through and hooked your bike up to their jumper cables, and now you’re all set to ride, but as soon as you take the jumper cables off, your motorcycle dies. Intuition says to check the battery first, but electrical failures, charging system problems, poor maintenance, and even improper …

Motorcycle Dies When Removing Jumper Cables? (6 Reasons) Read More »

It’s generally suggested to start your motorcycle in neutral and let it idle for a few minutes before shifting into first and riding. In neutral, the rider can still manipulate the throttle and rev the bike’s engine, but the motorcycle won’t move. That said, if you shift your motorcycle down first and nothing happens, you’ll …

Motorcycle Getting Stuck in Neutral? 7 Reasons (Solved) Read More »

If your motorcycle dies while you’re riding, it can be unsettling, to say the least—it can also be dangerous. If your motorcycle dies every time you slow down, there’s a problem with your fuel supply, throttle, or shifting capabilities. That said, why your motorcycle stalls when decelerating can vary depending on whether your motorcycle’s injected …

Motorcycle Dies When Slowing Down? 10 Reasons (Solved) Read More »

Every circuit in your motorcycle’s electrical system has its fuse—a safety mechanism integrated into an electrical circuit to prevent melting and electrical damage. The fuse detects excessive charge drawn into the circuit, absorbs the extra energy, and blows itself up to get rid of the current before it fries any of your bike’s components. Fuses …

Motorcycle Keeps Blowing Fuses? 9 Common Reasons (Solved) Read More »

1st gear is the jerkiest gear on most motorcycles since the gear engages differently than the rest of the ratios in your gearbox. Engaging the first gear from neutral will cause vibrations not noticeable in other gears; riding in first gear gives you less control than any of the higher gear ratios simply due to …

Motorcycle Jerking in 1st Gear? 8 Common Reasons (Solved) Read More »

All motorcycle clutches engage late periodically due to mechanical hiccups or certain riding conditions. That said, if your motorcycle is regularly experiencing late clutch engagement, it could be the sign you need to catch a critical issue at the earliest stages. But a motorcycle clutch is an intricate system of components, all working together with …

Motorcycle Clutch Engages Late? 11 Common Reasons (Solved) Read More »

Your motorcycle’s drive chain is an essential component responsible for moving the rear wheel of your bike. Therefore, a chain failure can render an otherwise healthy bike unusable, making chain inspection and upkeep a critical part of motorcycle ownership. If a chain develops a tight spot, its momentum and fundamental operation are impaired, meaning there …

Motorcycle Chain Has a Tight Spot? 8 Reasons (Solved) Read More »

Engine vibration is a typical, celebrated aspect of motorcycle riding, as motorcycle engines contain combustion-powered pistons that shoot up and down. That said, if your motorcycle starts shaking to the point that it feels unsafe, intimidating, or at the very least uncomfortable, you likely have an issue with your bike. We’ve listed the most common …

Motorcycle Starts Shaking? 11 Typical Reasons (Solved) Read More »

All motorcycles have a threshold speed range that, once pushed past, results in some startling jiggling in your motorcycle’s front wheel. That said, if your front end is vibrating so ferociously that its handling is unmanageable, you could have a significant failure on your hands. This article will list the most common reasons why a …

Motorcycle Front Wheel Wobbles? 8 Common Reasons (Solved) Read More »

Modern motorcycles are equipped with safety features, some to protect the rider, others to protect the bike. One of the security features pre-installed on more bikes every year is a steering lock, a key-and-barrel lock concept on the fork or steering head that prevents the handlebars and front wheel from moving. A motorcycle steering lock …

Motorcycle Steering Won’t Lock? 7 Reasons (Solved) Read More »

Shifting problems on a motorcycle can be easily detectable because of the high resistance experienced while shifting your bike’s gears. But while symptoms of shifting issues are easy to detect, the culprit behind your shifting problems can be challenging to nail down. This article explores the most common reasons why a motorcycle won’t shift up …

Motorcycle Won’t Shift Up Into 1st Gear? 6 Reasons (Explained) Read More »

A well-tuned motorcycle engine is a straightforward machine. Most bike engines are combustion-powered, meaning they use a system of air, fuel, and ignition to power their pistons and generate momentum. Therefore, any interference with the air, fuel, or the ignition system will cause a motorcycle to die while accelerating— we’ve broken down the most common …

Motorcycle Dies When Accelerating? 10 Reasons (Solved) Read More »