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 »
In 1901, Indian Motorcycles became the first American motorcycle company in history. The iconic brand changed ownership hands over the decades, surviving lengthy hiatuses in between until finally being acquired by the legendary Polaris Industries in 2013. Polaris’s mission statement was to honor the original aesthetic of America’s most-classic moto while integrating the industry-leading engineering …
How Reliable Are Indian Motorcycles? (We Tested Them) 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 »
It can be an incredible experience, ripping around curves when suddenly you smell burning to waft up from your motorcycle. It could be issues with your gearbox, brakes, exhaust, or even your engine, making a burning smell an important reason to pull your motorcycle over and troubleshoot. We’ve come to speed up your troubleshooting process …
Motorcycle Smells Like Burning? 9 Common Reasons (Solved) Read More »
Most motorcycle engines are internal combustion units, which generate mechanical power via various moving metal parts. As these motor parts chug along to create power, they also manifest heat from the friction created as they rub up against each other in close quarters inside your bike’s engine cylinders. While liquid-cooled engines rely on a combination …
Is My Motorcycle Overheating? 9 Classic Symptoms (Solved) Read More »
As the philosophical stoics used to put it, every ounce of pleasure comes with a proportionate amount of pain. While motorcycle riding is one of the most exhilarating experiences a human can participate in, there’s no doubt it comes with a healthy amount of risks, anxieties, and discomforts. For example, suppose you wind up in …
Do Motorcycles Normally Get Hot? (Explained for Beginners) Read More »
Some riders are lucky enough to catch their shifting problems early by detecting an increase in resistance via the clunky downshifting on their motorcycle. If inference while downshifting goes undetected, however, it may result in the bike getting stuck in neutral and not shifting into first gear. Whether your bike is stuck in neutral or …
Motorcycle Won’t Shift Into 1st Gear: 5 Reasons (Solved) Read More »
More and more modern riders regard 1200cc motorcycles as the perfect cruiser size. Not only do the 1200s have the power to ride hard for long distances, but their low-end torque and nimble frame size also make them perfect city rippers. That said, in the sportbike world, where engine frames weigh a fraction as much, …
We know the feeling; you start your motorcycle and rip down the block, only to smell coolant as soon as it gets hot. Or maybe you haven’t even started your engines yet. Perhaps you walked up to the sitting bike in your garage, and the stench of liquid engine coolant is sweet in the air. …
Why Does My Motorcycle Smell Like Coolant? (Solved) Read More »
A motorcycle is only as good as its tires, they say, and for a good reason—your tires are the only point of contact between your ripper and the road. Maintaining proper tire PSI is critical for engine and suspension performance, as well as protecting the wheel rim from the pavement and laying down the cushion …
Motorcycle Tire Won’t Take Air? 6 Reasons (Explained) Read More »
Few riding scenarios are more frustrating than being ready to rip roar around some corners when you start your bike, only to realize it’s stuck in first gear. All motorcycles require proper storage etiquette, riding habits, and routine maintenance, all per the OEM’s suggestions in the owner’s manual, and disobeying these basic moto manners will …
Motorcycle Won’t Shift Out of 1st Gear: 5 Reasons (Solved) Read More »
Starter fluid is projectile combustion, usually sprayed into the air intake to aid with the ignition process to help your motorcycle start, but why does a motorcycle only start with starter fluid? If your motorcycle only starts with starter fluid, it’s likely due to a weak ignition spark. That said, there are close to a …
Motorcycle Only Starting With Starter Fluid? (8 Common Reasons) Read More »
A strong-smelling exhaust odor can mean more than just turning off your fan club of onlookers. Unconventional engine and exhaust smells can serve as a valuable warning sign that a problem is developing in the machine. Catching a whiff of a strong engine odor can be synonymous with catching a problem while it’s still minuscule, …
Motorcycle Has Strong Exhaust Smell? (11 Common Reasons) Read More »
If your motorcycle is in neutral while it’s running, you should be able to idle and brap your throttle as always, but your motorcycle won’t move. That said, whether your moto’s engine is running or off when your bike’s in neutral, you should be able to push and walk your bike forward and backward without …
Motorcycle Won’t Move in Neutral? 8 Reasons (Explained) Read More »
One of the joys of riding a motorcycle is the low power-to-weight ratio. There’s nothing like opening up on a bike that clears 100 horsepower but weighs less than 400 pounds! But there’s a downside to everything—one of the downsides to lightweight-motorcycle riding has more than a few riders scratching their heads and asking themselves, …
Motorcycles & Automatic Gates: 16 Questions Answered Read More »
It’s a tired old tale, especially when it’s happening in real time. You jump in the seat and fire up your motorcycle—she starts up just fine. But as soon as you put it in gear, the bike stops moving; if you let the clutch out, the bike dies, and if you don’t, the bike won’t …
Motorcycle Won’t Move When Put In Gear? (Solved) Read More »
There’s nothing like the wide-open road, especially from the perspective of a well-kept motorcycle. Ripping curves around mountains on a bike that shifts when you need it to and responds to your throttle input by pulling you both through the apex of the turn to see the sun shimmering off the surface of an alpine …
How Often Should You Stop When Riding A Motorcycle? Read More »
It’s already sad enough shutting your bike into the garage for a lengthy time of inactivity. You must execute various steps and treatments before your bike sits to ensure its various components don’t corrode, including its fuel tank and lines. Follow the steps to winterize your motorcycle correctly, and you’ll eventually be forced to ask …
Should I Store A Motorcycle With Full Or Empty Tank? (Solved) Read More »
We know the feeling of waking up early and hitting the street at sunrise when the air is cool, and the town is empty. After a little warm-up rip, you stop for gas and a refresh of coffee. You get back to your bike after the quick gulp, and her pipes are still hot—nothing happens. …
Motorcycle Won’t Start After Long Ride? 9 Reasons (Explained) Read More »
A motorcycle backfire is a loud noise coming from your bike’s engine, usually while the bike is already running, due to the presence of uncombusted fuel in the exhaust pipe. Backfiring is generally the result of poor tuning or improper air/fuel ratio. That said, in more serious situations, you might find that your motorcycle won’t …
Motorcycle Wont Start But Backfires? 5 Reasons (Explained) Read More »
It’s finally here; your Sunday morning. The bike’s polished up, and you’ve got all your fly riding gear on when you flip down your visor, flick up the side stand, and fire her up… but the bike clicks one time and won’t start? Here are the three most common reasons why! 1. Failing Starter Relay …
Motorcycle Clicks One Time And Won’t Start? (3 Solutions) Read More »
I’m only alive because of a motorcycle helmet, true story. I was once t-boned by a drunk driver who ran the light of an intersection—had I not had my helmet on, the medic says I might not have survived with my capacities intact. That said, if my helmet was too loose or tight, it might …
Motorcycle Helmet Not Fitting? This Might Help (Solved) Read More »
Hearing aids can fit underneath most motorcycle helmets, providing you take care when taking your helmet on or off. That said, while some hearing-aided moto-riders choose to shut their hearing aids off while riding to use them as ear plugs, we think the quieter the helmet, the better it is for wearing with hearing aids, …
6 Motorcycle Helmets For People With Hearing Aids Read More »
Whether your motorcycle has a side stand or a center stand, the kickstand is an essential piece of equipment. Your motorcycle kickstand has to be strong enough to hold the bike up, even at an angle, but can you sit on a motorcycle with the kickstand down? Here’s the Short Answer to Whether You Can …
Can You Sit On A Motorcycle With Kickstand Down? (Explained) Read More »
Even with a fully charged battery running at peak voltage, a motorcycle won’t start. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially if you’re all geared up and ready to ride! If you’ve confirmed that your battery is good, but the bike still won’t squeeze the juice and make the rumbles, we’ll help you figure out why! …
Motorcycle Won’t Start Though Battery Is OK? (10 Solutions) Read More »
After riding your motorcycle for any extended period, have you noticed that you smell like a diesel mechanic’s pocket rag? Have you gone to kiss your sweety on the cheek only to be turned away with a look of revilement and horror? If you’ve ever gotten the stink eye at any rest stop or roadside …
Smelling After Riding A Motorcycle? Here’s Why (Solved) Read More »
It is an idyllic Sunday morning in mid-April; the sun is shining, and the temperature has finally risen high enough above the bone-chilling cold of winter that a motorcycle ride is finally in the works (if you’re anything like me after the cabin fever of winter, that’s about 40 degrees Fahrenheit). To escape the memory …
Motorcycle Won’t Start After Long Winter? (9 Solutions) Read More »
It’s a frustrating scene—you’re all geared up and ready to rip roads, leaning forward in the saddle when you stick your key in the ignition to fire her up. You jab once, thrust twice, but the key won’t lock into place in there, which is obviously a requirement for starting your motorcycle and enjoying your …
Motorcycle Key Won’t Go in Ignition? Here’s Why (SOLVED) Read More »
As motorcycles become more technologically advanced, ignition systems become more and more specialized. From keyless ignitions to passcodes to electronic fabs, the game has changed quite a bit; in some cases, the key is still present, but the ignition is also wired into and therefore governed by the bike’s electronic Computer Unit (ECU). Regardless, there’s …
Motorcycle Ignition Won’t Turn | Here’s Why (SOLVED) Read More »
We all know the frustration of trying to get a dead bike to start, especially on the first few beautiful riding days after the cold, unrideable winter. The motorcycle might have been garaged for the bad weather season, or you simply want to take it out of storage and dust off your riding skills, but …
Motorcycle Won’t Start After Sitting For Months? (Easy Solutions) Read More »
Loose motorcycle handlebars can be more than just annoying; they can be dangerous. If your bike’s bars slip while riding, it can throw your front tire, cause unexpected throttle input, pop the clutch out, release the brakes, etc. Bars on motorcycles do more than controlling the steering—they house the controls to some of the most …
How to Fix Loose Handlebars on Motorcycles (Explained) Read More »
We all know how good it feels to put your knees in the breeze and hit the open road with you and your gear. So what if you ride a medium cruiser, throw a sissy bar on it, bungee your waterproof duffel bag, and you’re good to go! And we all know how good it …
Never Go Over Motorcycle’s Weight Limits (Here’s Why) Read More »
Custom-fabricated trikes have always been a viable moto-retirement option for handy welders, bike builders, and riders with enough cash to drop on getting their two-wheeler chopped and refurbished as a three-wheeler. That said, more and more of the big moto-brands are offering stock trikes these days. There’s no doubt that a trike is an excellent …
Are Trikes Motorcycles Good for Beginners? (Explained) Read More »
Riding a motorcycle requires juggling multiple skills; eye-hand coordination, manual shifting, defensive driving, presence, awareness, focus, attention to detail, physical strength and endurance, and balance. Trikes have become increasingly popular over the past few decades, particularly among riders with physical limitations that hinder the balance and strength required to operate a two-wheeled motored vehicle safely. …
Are Trikes Easier to Ride than Motorcycles? (Explained) Read More »
800cc motorcycles are yet another example of the wide range of top speeds that can be produced by the varying types of engines. While cruisers, bobbers, and sportbikes are going to have a lower top speed, performance tweaking in 800cc sportbike engines are going to produce incredible top speeds. Keep reading our article to find …
The Honda Shadow line of motorcycles is a line of cruiser motorcycles the Japanese manufacturing company based on the increasingly popular American muscle-cruiser style. The Shadows mirror their American contemporaries by stocking a V-Twin engine, updated with liquid-cooling. Two of the most iconic Shadow models are the various 750cc and 1100cc iterations, including the Aero, …
What’s Honda Shadow 750 & 110s Top Speed? (Checked) Read More »
I cannot think of a more disappointing or frustrating thing than a motorcycle that just won’t start. Before you dig through this list of possible reasons your motorcycle won’t start, be sure to check your bike’s battery for the correct voltage. Most motorcycles have 12v batteries. Make sure this is the case with your bike …
Motorcycle Won’t Start But Battery Is Good? (Solved) Read More »
If you haven’t yet enjoyed riding your motorcycle through a rowdy round of rain, don’t fret; it eventually happens to all of us. From the perfect-trip cultivating planners to the play-it-by-ear romantics, we all get dumped on during the course of our moto-hero’s journey. You’ll be OK with good gear and gripping tires, but what …
How to Dry a Motorcycle After Rain? (Explained & Solved) Read More »
The motorcycle market for 600cc and 650cc motorcycles has greatly slowed down over the last few years, but there are still holdouts in the sportbike category for this intermediate displacement-size ripper. We’ve gotten together a list of 6 motorcycles in the 600cc and 650cc class that epitomize their sleek design and power! Check out our …
How Fast Do 600cc & 650cc Motorcycles Go? (6 Examples) Read More »
The 1,800cc motorcycle class is dominated by cruisers, through and through. Because supersport bikes tend to max out at around 1,000cc engines (with some exceptions), the large bike class is going to be given over to road warriors and their steeds! We’ve put together a list of 6 interesting 1,800cc motorcycles for you to go …
Motorcycle electrical systems have come a long way since the days of the original gas-lamp design. Today we have everything from multi-faceted LED-comprised headlights to simple-but-bright, tried-and-true halogen setups, both of which are powered by the motorcycle battery. Most motorcycle headlights illuminate automatically at the turn of the key. If it doesn’t, electrical troubleshooting can …
Motorcycle Headlight Won’t Turn On? Here’s Why (SOLVED) Read More »
From hydraulic jacks to scissor jacks to motorcycle-specific jacks, it’s frustrating when you’re ready to wrench, so you reach for your jack only to find it’s stuck in the up position. Now you’re taking up physical space-time, mental clarity, and emotional energy, And it’s even more stressful when you’ve already been wrenching on your motorcycle, …
Motorcycle Jack Won’t Go Down? Here’s why (SOLVED) Read More »
It’s your day off, and you invite your buddy to meet at your place for a moto rip and a river dip. You’ve got a few hours to kill before he frees up, so you figure you’ll change the oil quickly before he shows up. You grab your trusty hydraulic motorcycle jack, but it’s stuck …
Motorcycle Jack Won’t Stay Up? Here’s Why (SOLVED) Read More »
When I bought my first, used Harley-Davidson, the greasy dealership salesman told me that the Dyna Wide Glide I was purchasing was bogging a little at higher speeds, but that I just needed to blow some of the old fuel out of the carb and it would be in tip-top shape in no time. Although …
Motorcycle Won’t Go Over 40-50 MPH? (Here’s Why) Read More »
A common problem we see out there on the forums is grossly limited rpm and speed in the higher range. This can be devastating news for any rider, but especially for anyone who rides a motorcycle that has more power in the higher ranges, such as performance sportbikes. So what happens if a motorcycle won’t …
Motorcycle Won’t Go Over 7,000 RPM? (Here’s Why) Read More »
750cc motorcycles are smack in the center of the middle-weight champions we love for their power and maneuverability. Why are these bikes so popular? Below is a list of 6 bikes in the 750cc class and some of their performance metrics. 750cc Mid-Sized Giants Some considerations that a lot of people take when looking …
1,000cc motorcycles can be incredibly fast machines, but just like any other displacement category, there is a decent range of top speeds. Depending on whether a motorcycle is a standard cruiser with low-end get-up-and-go or a bona fide super sportbike built for insanely high racing speeds, the 1,000cc engine will perform quite differently. Let’s take …
1500cc motorcycles were once top dog, but quite a few of the middling heavyweights of the 80s and 90s are long gone. Some of the bikes on our list are no longer in production, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some rare gems to be found on new lots today! If you are wondering how …
It’s your day off, gorgeous outside, and you’re stoked. Ready to rip up some roads when you get the bright idea to start your bike while you gear up so the oil can warm to riding temp. Helmet in one hand, gloves in the other, you lean over your motorcycle to press the starter button… …
Motorcycle Won’t Start With Kickstand Down? (Here’s Why) Read More »
Other than bicycles, scooters are likely the most popular two-wheeled vehicle in the world. That said, here in the states, there’s nothing more iconic than a motorcycle rip-roaring through the countryside a la Dennis Hopper, Steve McQueen, Marlon Brando, Evil Kinevil, Catwoman, from Elvis to Elvira, and the list goes on. Motorcycles might make better …
Are Scooters Easier To Ride Than Motorcycles? (Explained) Read More »
Motorcycles vs. Scooters have been a hot topic since the scooter resurgence of the early 2000s, despite the fact that scooters are technically a type of motorcycle. Still, there are some pretty distinct variations between the two, and in some situations, a scooter is a way to go. But what are the best reasons to …
8 Reasons To Choose Motorcycles Over Scooters (Facts) Read More »
500cc motorcycles sit at the lower end of the intermediate class, not only in engine displacement but also in raw power. This makes them a great beginner bike because they are often small and lightweight enough that a novice rider can easily handle them, but also because you won’t necessarily grow out of them too …
The Jeep Patriot is a compact crossover SUV that featured as part of the elite Jeep brand between 2006 and 2016. After its discontinuation in the 2017 model year, it had racked up over 730,000 in total units sold. Amongst other things, the Jeep Patriot was renowned for its reliability, affordability, and stellar off-road capabilities. …
Are Jeep Patriots Good For Road Trips? (Checked) Read More »
A motorcycle tire bead is the inner strip of the tire that is sealed to the wheel’s rim, reinforced by a thin steel or copper strip to prevent air from leaking out of the tire via the slitted opening between the rim and the rubber tire. The friction between the seal that binds the tire …
Motorcycle Tire Won’t Bead: 7 Reasons (Explained) Read More »
It’s gorgeous outside, sunny with the perfect cool breeze. You jump in your motorcycle seat, flick up the kill switch, and hear the fuel pump activate… but wait for a second; before you push the starter switch, you notice something– The motorcycle dash and instrument cluster won’t light up? Read on to find out why …
Motorcycle Dash Won’t Light Up? Here’s Why (SOLVED) Read More »
400cc motorcycles are a great part of the small-sized engine displacement category because they offer the power, torque, and top speeds unavailable to the smaller 250 and 300cc bikes. If you are researching 400cc motorcycle top speeds for rider preference or simply to settle a bet, look no further because we’re going to give you …
300cc motorcycles are an excellent choice for beginner riders and smaller, lower-weight riders. Engine size is rated in CCs, which stand for cubic centimeters and a 300cc engine is considered to be relatively small. But size doesn’t necessarily matter. These days, lots of 300cc engines are capable of tremendous amounts of power and torque. In …
For safety during both the day and after dark, motorcycle lights should always function correctly. In most states, it isn’t illegal to have a headlight out, but a traffic stop for any other reason could get you a ‘fix-it’ ticket. Sometimes replacing a bulb seems like the quick fix, but a new bulb hasn’t solved …
Why Won’t My Motorcycle Lights Work? (7 Reasons) Read More »
The brakes we use are fundamental to our safety while out riding on our bikes, so it’s alarming (and a bit confusing) when they won’t hold pressure. Fortunately for the reader, yours truly has spent the last week tearing apart the entire braking system on a finicky motorcycle. So let’s go ahead and dig into …
Motorcycle Brakes Won’t Hold Pressure? Here’s Why (Solved) Read More »
Modern motorcycles use electricity generated by a battery to power many systems on the bike, but if the battery isn’t grounded properly, you can have operational issues. The electricity generated by the battery feeds power to the electric starting and ignition systems, lights, led screens, accessories, and sensors. Because any malfunction in the systems we’ve …
A well-manufactured motorcycle helmet that fits snugly on your head is a must for every rider’s safety gear kit. In fact, many states now have helmet laws that require you to wear a brain bucket anytime you are on a motorcycle. A motorcycle helmet is the first, and often the only, line of defense between …
7 Signals A Motorcycle Helmet Is TOO Old (Checklist) Read More »
The Honda Interceptor, or lovingly known as the “Viffer” because of the VFR800 engine, is a popular series of sports-touring bike produced from 1998 onward. A favorite in the sports-touring community, the Interceptor is Honda’s fiery and fierce answer to fans of high-tech, high-powered sport riding as well as long distance touring aficionados looking for …
Honda Interceptor Problems: 5 Known Issues (Explained) Read More »
You’ve adorned your riding gear and are all set to roast the pavement. After idling your iron steed for some time, you ease it onto the pavement. At the next traffic stop, you find out there’s a problem. You decelerate and try to slow the bike, only to find out it won’t downshift gears. In …
A DOT-approved motorcycle helmet is one of the most vital pieces of riding gear that a rider can own. It will protect you from many serious head injuries and can even save your life. Follow motorcycle helmet manufacturers’ recommendations on when you should replace your helmet. Let’s take a deeper look and find out if …
Do Little-Used Motorcycle Helmets Expire? (Checked) Read More »
The true heavyweights in the large-displacement engine category are the motorcycles in the 2,000cc range. In fact, this engine size range is the biggest that motorcycles offer. Although some might say that these chrome-clad megaliths are excessive in size (and price), these motorcycles are a testament to the inventiveness of our fellow human! In this …
How Fast Can 2000cc Motorcycles Go? (7 Examples) Read More »
Jeeps have been around for decades in the auto industry. Not only do they have great reliability, but they are also known for great highway and off-road driving. The Jeep Wrangler is one of the oldest and most iconic models from Jeep. It features excellent off-road capabilities but can take on long highway trips as …
Anyone who has ever ridden a motorcycle knows it is not something you can just quit after gaining a few pounds. There are always inherent risks with motorcycle riding, same as with operating any vehicle. Many of the constant present dangers of motorcycle riding are reduced if you pay attention while riding defensively, follow the …
Too Overweight To Ride Motorcycles? (Read This First) Read More »
Motorcycles come in all shapes and sizes. There’s a bike for various riding styles and riders, from big-bad-baggers to mini-crotch monsters, but how much weight can motorcycle pegs hold? Let’s find out! Here’s How Much Weight Motorcycle Pegs Can Typically Hold: Stock motorcycle pegs use at least a 6 to 8mm diameter bolt, withstanding a …
How Much Weight Can Motorcycle Pegs Hold? (Solved) Read More »
Long before Polaris revamped the headdress logo and engineered the Thunderstroke motor to be one of the best V-Twins in the game period, there was the original Indian Motocycle [sic], the company, the first American-made motorized bicycle in history. The story of Indian goes back to the late 1890s, with 1901 being the year the …
Why Are Indian Motorcycles Called “Indian”? (Explained) Read More »
Is your motorcycle dying while starting or on rides when you should be able to idle? This issue can be frustrating when you try to fire up and head out, but can’t. If this happens while you are out riding, you can be stranded or stuck pushing your bike all the way home. If your …
Motorcycle Won’t Idle Without Throttle? (Here’s Why) Read More »
For the beginner motorcyclist or someone who needs a lightweight machine for commuting and joyriding around town, a 250cc motorcycle is an excellent choice. If you are looking for a good handle on a new motorcycle and aren’t quite sure if you want to throw down the cash, we can help. We’ve compiled a list …
Anytime you’re in the market for a new bike, or find yourself owning one that you can’t make heads or tails of, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with some of the common problems that the bike is subject to. Today, we’re going to focus on Honda’s famous XR series, including some of these …
Electric motorcycles are at the forefront of innovative electric vehicles, and for good reason. Even a gas-guzzling machine head like myself loves how much money I save at the pump-but what if we can spend $0 at the fuel nozzle and cut our emissions down to an almost-imperceptible level? While that sounds excellent for our …
Electric Motorcycles Is a BAD Idea – 8 Reasons (Must-Read) Read More »
Most older bikes were made to kick start by applying force to an external crank arm. In many cases, the kickstart was replaced with an electric motor starter, but a lot of dirtbikes have retained this feature because it is a very mechanically sound way to start a motorcycle. If your motorcycle won’t kickstart, we’ll …
Motorcycle Won’t Kickstart | Here’s Why (Solved) Read More »
Motorcycle club culture has gained a national interest through Hollywood’s lens with shows like “Sons of Anarchy,” the spinoff series “Mayans,” or the much-maligned reality TV show “The Devil’s Ride.” More motorcycle enthusiasts are getting comfortable wearing patched-out vests, or ‘cuts,’ forming unaffiliated riding clubs. Because of the clandestine nature of notorious criminal organizations like …
There are plenty of fish in the sea, they tell us, but they don’t know that feeling of finding the iron steed with the perfect tuning. Whether cruising in the pocket or squealing ’round switchbacks, no two engines feel the same; a fear creeps in, one every rider knows well. Just when we’re coming out …
How Long Do Motorcycle Engines Last? (7 Helpful Examples) Read More »
The initial American biker reaction to the electric motorcycle phenomenon began as a fading yawn. It didn’t last long, though, as our attention was awakened by the tenacity of the electric bike’s leading engineers to innovate upon and, in many cases, outdo the gas-powered industry standards of efficiency and performance. There’s no denying the exciting …
Are Electric Motorcycles Easier To Ride? (Explained) Read More »
For many people who want to learn to ride a motorcycle or are new riders who have already learned, it is a good idea to start on a 600cc bike. A midsize, 600cc-650cc motorcycle is an excellent choice for beginner riders because it is not too big to handle or small enough to grow out …
Harley-Davidson has produced some of the most iconic leather jackets of the 20th and 21st centuries, some of which have incredible resale value. Spurred by an interest in all things vintage, motorcycle aficionados and hipsters alike scour thrift stores and online vintage sellers for these incredible leather goods. Fortunately for you (and us!) Harley-Davidson jackets …
How Much Are Used Harley Davidson Jackets Worth? (7 Examples) Read More »
The Honda CB125R is a naked, modern-classic homage to the classic CB125, updated with a single-cylinder, liquid-cooled motor that revs and accelerates well in the low and mid-range a little slugger. With a 6-Speed gearbox and max-power range of 10,000 RPM and a torque-peak at 8k, the CB125R is a popular choice for new riders. …
It’s never a healthy idea to ride a motorcycle with an ungrounded electrical system. Adequate grounding protects the rider against electrical failures, shorts, shocks, and fires, even during an accident. There are many good reasons to ground a bike, including rider and moto safety, and there are a slew of reasons not to ride a …
Does My Motorcycle Have Bad Grounding? (Explained) Read More »
A motorcycle kickstand switch is a safety feature on most contemporary motorcycles. Although Harleys don’t typically use them, as the United States doesn’t require mandatory kickstand sensors at the time of writing, most other bike brands include them as standard equipment. A few countries require motorcycles sold on their territory to have kickstand sensors due …
The garage door is opened, the sun is shinin’, and you’re all geared up and ready to go, but when it comes time to crank her up and turn her over, nothing happens; your motorcycle won’t start. As soon as you start tinkering around to troubleshoot, you swear you smell gas. If this problem-combo rings …
Motorcycle Won’t Start & Smells Like Gas (Solved & Explained) Read More »
