Why Does My Motorcycle Struggle Start?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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One potential issue that might be keeping your motorcycle from starting up is a

clogged petcock

. The petcock is a fuel control valve. It controls the gas flow between off, on, and reserve settings. Clogged petcocks are a common issue that riders often bring up in forums.

What causes hard starting in motorcycle?

So it’s time to go back through everything involved in making the bike start well, and it’s a short list:

fuel, compression, valve timing, ignition

. … Stale fuel will make starting more difficult. If the bike has good power when running, chances are your compression and valve timing are fine—or close enough.

Why will my motorcycle turn over but not start?

If your motorcycle turns over but wont start it, can mean there’s

a good chance your problem is related to your bike’s ignition or fuel

. … If you’ve ruled out the other options another possibility is that there may be an issue with the air/fuel mixture in your bike.

Why does my motorcycle feel sluggish?

Carbon, oil residue and pitting on the spark plug electrodes will cause a

weak or inconsistent spark

, resulting in poor ignition and poor acceleration. A clogged air filter may not allow a sufficient amount of air into the combustion chamber, making the air/fuel mixture overly rich and causing poor acceleration.

How do I know if my motorcycle starter is bad?

Symptoms of a bad motorcycle starter may include the motorcycle not being able to start at all, the

motorcycle only starting intermittently

, hearing the starter running even when the engine has already started, and being able to hear a strange clicking sound from the starter.

When I try to start my motorcycle it just clicks?

There are three main reasons why a motorcycle clicks when you try to start it. The first and most common reason is

because of a dead battery

. The second reason could be due to a bad starter. The third most common but less likely reason the motorcycle is clicking could be due to a seized engine.

Why would a motorcycle died while riding?

There are a few reasons a bike can shut off while riding.

Low fuel or a faulty battery

are the main reasons a bike will shut off while riding. But it could be a few other reasons as well, all of which are linked to either fuel or electrical issues.

How do you restart a motorcycle that has been sitting?

To start a motorcycle that has been sitting, you’ll first need to

charge/change the battery

. Next you’ll need to change the oil, replace the gas, and examine the carburetor and jets to make sure they’re not clogged. After these have been checked, you can attempt to start the motorcycle.

How do you diagnose a motorcycle problem?

  1. Battery. A great place to start is at the source of power. …
  2. Main Fuse. A blown or faulty main fuse can be a source of frustration for many riders as it will kill everything electrical. …
  3. Ground Wires. …
  4. Stator. …
  5. Regulator/Rectifier. …
  6. Ignition Coil/Plug Wires & Caps. …
  7. Pickup Coil. …
  8. Source Coil.

How do you know if your motorcycle engine is flooded?

Obviously, the first symptom will be that your motorcycle won’t start. The starting mechanism will sound perfectly normal, but that the combustion just isn’t happening. The second biggest sign of a flooded engine is

a sudden smell of gas

. Because gas is building up in the cylinders, you’ll easily be able to smell it.

Why does my bike stutter when I accelerate?

Causes of Bogging and Possible Solutions

The most common reason is that your

air/fuel mixture is inefficient or dirty

. If your air filter is clogged or has a lot of dirt. It could be bogging down the engine. Consider cleaning the air filter or replacing it with an air kit to see if the problem is resolved.

Why is my bike losing power when I accelerate?

Loss of power may also be caused by

an improper level of oil in the engine

. Too high a level will lead to froth introducing air into the lubrication system and reducing the ability of the oil to lubricate the moving parts.

How can I make my motorcycle run smoother?

  1. Keep it Clean. A dirty motorcycle is just down right disrespectful. …
  2. Tyre pressure. Keeping the tyres at the right pressure level is critical if you want to achieve a good fuel economy figure. …
  3. Stopping. …
  4. Chain it right. …
  5. Clutch out. …
  6. Light it up. …
  7. Smooth as oil.

How do you tell if it’s your starter or battery?

When you attempt to start the car, there is

a low whining sound

. If jump starting gets your engine started and running, but the car will not start again once you turn it off, the battery is probably the problem.

How long does a motorcycle starter last?

But as a rule of thumb, you might expect

about 80,000 starts

coming from a brand new starter having no defects. Those starters in warmer climates would last longer most of the time.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.