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 (Explained) 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 …
8 Signs A Motorcycle Has A Bad Ground (Explained) Read More »
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 That Your MC 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 …
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 …
My Motorcycle Won’t Downshift Gears (Explained & Solved) Read More »
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 Motorcycle Helmets Expire If Only Used A Little? (Explained) 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 A 2000cc Motorcycle 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 …
8 Reasons NOT To Buy Electric Motorcycles (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 …
What Are The Rules For Wearing Biker Patches? (Explained) Read More »
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 »
If your motorcycle brake caliper won’t release, your bike won’t move. Or if it does, you’ll feel the resistance when you let off the throttle. It can be frustrating to be having problems with your motorcycle brake calipers. Here is a list of reasons your motorcycle brake caliper won’t release, and how to diagnose or …
Motorcycle Brake Caliper Won’t Release: 5 Reasons (Solved) Read More »
As far as many of us are concerned, Kawasaki Motorcycles have come to hold the title of the fastest production bikes. There are all kinds of figures out there; between the high numbers on street-legal Ninjas, the most popular sports bike in the world, the claims made by heavy-modded street racers, and the rip-roaring reviews …
What’s The Top Speed For Kawasaki Motorcycles? (6 Examples) Read More »
The spring signals the beginning of riding season for many of us in the Northern Hemisphere, which means bike inspections and tune-ups! Remember- maintaining your bike is key for smooth operation and a well-taken care of motorcycle is a safe motorcycle! If you’re like us and like to keep that machine in tip-top shape, follow …
10 Ways To Make Your Motorcycle Run Smoother (SOLVED) Read More »
Every beginner rider has had the dreaded, knock-knee moment when the first little thing feels off on your new (to you) bike. Presumably, when we pick up a bike from a dealership or private seller, it should be running as smoothly as possible, or it will be a tough sale. But entropy dictates that the …
Motorcycle Not Running Smoothly? 10 Common Reasons (Solved) Read More »
Harley-Davidsons are known for being big, heavy bikes with steel frames to support their bigger engines, transmissions, and everything that comes with both those features. Still, does that mean that Harleys can handle a good amount of weight for their size? To make sure a Harley’s chassis and suspension system don’t get overtaxed, you’ll want …
How Much Weight Can Harley Davidsons Hold? (6 Examples) Read More »
Patches can be a totally rad way to add some flavor to your motorcycle riding gear and show the world who you are! Not all patches are cool, though. There are a few patches you might want to avoid wearing if you don’t know their meaning or history. We’ve put together a list of 10 …
It’s springtime and everybody’s firing up their bikes and getting ready for riding season. After sitting for a while, lots of people like to take the bike out for a short, fast rip to make sure everything is working in tiptop shape. So, you pull out onto the highway to gun it up, but the …
Motorcycle Stutter When Accelerating? Here’s Why (SOLVED) Read More »
Engine oil is an essential part of the operation on any engine, especially on a simple unit like a motorcycle motor. Engine oil doesn’t last forever, though. In time, it thickens, often contaminated with dirt and grime, lessening in column and losing the chemical properties that make it essential to your bike motor’s operation. Low …
8 Symptoms Your Motorcycle Oil Is Low (Explained) Read More »
Scooters vs. motorcycles is a deliberation for the modern ages. They both have two wheels, and for the most part, in fact, scooters are technically a type of motorcycle. That said, there are some pretty bold distinctions, as far as the market definitions are concerned, including engine size, transmission styles, fuel economy, wheelbase, engine size, …
Are Scooters More Comfortable Than Motorcycles? (Explained) Read More »
The Honda CB125R might be the best-looking learner bike on the market; with its Modern Classic Cafe styling. The smallest CB looks like one of its legendary older siblings, a true neo cafe masterwork, still providing a learner-friendly, upright riding experience. The CB125R is powered by a liquid-cooled, single-cylinder, four-stroke motor. True to the Honda …
There is a crude, lighthearted charm that comes with a doorless driving experience. You get to connect with the elements in a way that you wouldn’t normally envisage when you’re behind the steering wheel of an enclosed vehicle. For a luxurious doorless driving experience, we’ve compiled 9 vehicles you’d not want to miss. 1. Jeep …
9 Cars Without Doors That You Can Actually Buy! (With Pictures) Read More »
Bleeding the brakes can be a piece of cake, but what happens if they won’t bleed out? It’s essential to the brake system that the brake line be cleaned of dirty old fluid and maintain the brake pressure. If either of those things isn’t taken care of, brake system failure is imminent! …
Motorcycle Brakes Won’t Bleed 4 Reasons (Explained) Read More »
I confess that I and my riding buddies don’t have motorcycle helmet communications. We’re old school and take a bit of pride in our hand signals, and we’re particularly fond of pulling over all 20 riders every time someone has an issue. After doing the research, I’m convinced we are missing out on one of …
How Do Motorcycle Helmet Communications Work? (Explained) Read More »
The Honda XR series, 4 stroke torque monsters, are as reputable as they are heavy. Baja bikes, woods racers, trail bikes, or street rippers, you might have a damn hard time finding another era-specific racer/dirt track/roadie as solid as the Honda XR600 and 650L. We scoured reviews, videos, and message boards to bring you some …
How Long Do Honda XR 600 & 650Ls Last? 5 Examples Read More »
You hop on, turn the ignition, flip the killswitch to RUN, and hit your starter button, but nothing happens. Maybe you hear a rapid clicking or whirring, but you’re not getting a spark. Your starter might have finally kicked the bucket, you still have to get to where you’re going. So what do you do …
How To Start A Motorcycle With A Bad Starter (Solved!) Read More »
When I think about the amazing vintage body styles, I always end up fantasizing about the boxy forks, low body and ‘Trojan helmet’ fenders of the Honda Dream 305 CA77. Although the first Honda Dream was released all the way back in 1949, the bulky-but-beautiful CA77 models were produced from 1960 to 1969, and really …
Honda released the CBR150Rc at the first crest of the mini-bike explosion in 2012. As usual, Honda was ahead of the game with the CBR250R already readily available, but shedding 100cc off the motor was smart. The CBR150R is a mini-bike best-case-scenario, looking like a Fireblade with a 150 motor and high-revving 11,500RPM, but how …
One of the critical components of sparking your motorcycle to life is the starter relay. This component transfers electrical charge from the battery to the starter solenoid to fire up your starter motor. While starter relay problems aren’t necessarily widespread, all mechanical parts wear out, eventually. Knowing how to fix a failing starter relay might …
Has My Motorcycle Starter Relay Gone Bad? (Explained) Read More »
Motorcycles are in a vehicle class of their own—any two-wheelin’ enthusiast will tell you. Motorized bikes have been around for over a century by now, maybe almost a century and a half; most hard-hitting bike brands innovate their own technologies at this point. That said, much of the fundamental mechanics involved evolve much slower—if it …
What Does a Solenoid Do On A Motorcycle? (Explained) Read More »
You’re in the saddle, all geared up and ready to rip. The bike started just fine; you rolled it out the driveway, it’s idling like a champ, but as soon as you hit the throttle… the motorcycle won’t accelerate. It’s one of the most mind-boggling things to figure out, which is why we put together …
Motorcycle Idles But Won’t Accelerate (Solved & Explained) Read More »
A motorcycle’s gearbox is similar to a manual car in that it allows the rider to input when to disengage the clutch for shifting gears. As far as most modern bikes are concerned, the difference is that while a car uses a pedal to manipulate the clutch engagement, a motorcycle uses a hand lever. Still, …
Motorcycle Clutch Won’t Disengage: 12 Reasons (Explained) Read More »
A bike is only as good as its battery. No matter how fresh your tires are, how fly your paint job looks, how much extra bread you spent on the stage 1 air cleaner or those stage 2 cam upgrades, none of it matters if your battery is shot. Still, a battery can be tricky …
Motorcycle Battery Won’t Fully Charge | Here’s Why (SOLVED) Read More »
A blown fuse on your motorcycle would be a bad day, especially if you planned on riding. A weak fuse alone can cause some wavering in your bike’s electrical accessories; it’s no wonder there are so many concerned riders out there asking themselves how to tell if their motorcycle fuse is blown? Here’s How to …
How To Tell If A Motorcycle Fuse Is Blown (Explained) Read More »
The biker is the heart of a motorcycle, but its soul is undoubtedly its engine. Without a motor, a bike is just a bicycle you can’t pedal—just how essential is the engine oil to the soul of your motorcycle? Most understand oil as a functional engine coolant or lubricant, but are motorcycles damaged when the …
Are Motorcycles Damaged When Oil Runs Low? (Explained) Read More »
