Motorcycles

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 […]

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

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 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

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

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,

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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,

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

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

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.

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

I cannot think of a more disappointing or frustrating thing than a motorcycle that just won’t start. If the motorcycle has power but won’t turn over, here’s help for you! 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

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

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,

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

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

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

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…

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

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

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

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

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

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