Repair / Problems
Find a motorcycle problem by symptom
Start from what you notice. Each page tells you if it is safe to ride, then walks you through the checks.
Starting
- Pops or bangs when trying to startRide with care
- Engine turns over but will not startDo not ride
- Engine is flooded and smells of fuelDo not ride
- Hard to start when the engine is coldRide with care
- Hard to start when the engine is hotRide with care
- Kickstarter will not move or does not spring backRide with care
- Kickstarter kicks back against my footRide with care
- Kickstarter slips or turns without turning the engineRide with care
- Will not start after rain or washingRide with care
- Will not start after standing for weeks or monthsDo not ride
- Engine turns over slowlyRide with care
- Will not start in gear, on the side stand or without the clutch pulledRide with care
- Starter relay clicks but the engine does not turnRide with care
- Grinding or screeching noise when startingRide with care
- Starter keeps turning after I let go of the buttonStop now
- Nothing happens when I press the starter buttonRide with care
- Starter motor whirs but the engine does not turnRide with care
- Starts only with the choke on or the throttle held openRide with care
- Engine starts, then dies after a few secondsDo not ride
- Starter turns the engine but the engine will not fire (weak battery)Do not ride
- Kickstarter is very hard to push throughRide with care
Idle and running
- Bogs down or chokes at full throttleRide with care
- Cuts out when riding over bumpsRide with care
- Cuts out randomly, then restartsRide with care
- Misfires or dies in heavy rainRide with care
- Engine dies when the side stand moves or the bike is put in gearRide with care
- Flat spot in the middle of the rev rangeOK to ride
- Revs hang or drop slowly after closing the throttleRide with care
- Hesitates or stumbles when opening the throttleRide with care
- Idle speed is too highRide with care
- Idle speed rises and falls on its ownRide with care
- Misfires or stutters when accelerating hard or climbingRide with care
- Rough, lumpy or uneven idleRide with care
- Engine runs hot and lean, pops and pinksRide with care
- Engine runs rich, smells of fuel and smokes blackRide with care
- Engine stalls at idle or at junctionsRide with care
- Engine stalls once it is fully warmRide with care
- Surges or jerks at steady cruising speedRide with care
- Misfire: ignition or fuel?Ride with care
Power and fuel use
- Bike feels held back, as if something is draggingRide with care
- Uses more fuel than normalOK to ride
- Engine feels weak and down on powerRide with care
- Will not reach normal top speedOK to ride
- Pinging or rattling sound when accelerating (pinking)Ride with care
- Struggles to climb hills or carry a passengerRide with care
- Power fades as the engine gets hotRide with care
- Engine revs rise but the bike does not speed upRide with care
- Sudden loss of power while ridingDo not ride
Fuel system
- No fuel reaching the carburettorDo not ride
- Fuel pours out of the carburettor overflow pipeDo not ride
- Choke is stuck on or will not workRide with care
- Unstable idle after cleaning or battery disconnection (fuel-injected)Ride with care
- Engine warning light (check engine, MIL) is on or flashingRide with care
- Fuel cap is stuck, leaks or will not lockRide with care
- Fuel gauge reads wrong or does not moveOK to ride
- Fuel is leaking or drippingStop now
- Fuel pump whines loudly or runs all the timeRide with care
- No buzz from the fuel pump when the key is turned onDo not ride
- Strong smell of fuel around the bikeDo not ride
- Engine stops and only runs on reserve or after a restRide with care
- Fuel injector suspected blocked or leakingRide with care
- Rust or flakes inside the fuel tankRide with care
- Old or stale fuel in the tankRide with care
- Engine stops after a few kilometres and the cap hisses when openedRide with care
- Water or dirt in the fuelDo not ride
Ignition
- CDI or ECU suspected faultyRide with care
- Ignition cuts out when hot and returns when coolDo not ride
- Ignition timing suspected wrongRide with care
- Engine stop switch faultDo not ride
- Misfires only at high revsRide with care
- No spark at the spark plugDo not ride
- Spark plug is black and sootyRide with care
- Spark plug is wet with oilRide with care
- Spark plug is white or blisteredRide with care
- Weak, thin or orange sparkRide with care
- Points ignition runs rough or missesRide with care
Engine noise and internals
- Rumbling or growling from inside the engineDo not ride
- Rattling noise from the cam chain areaRide with care
- Deep knocking from the bottom of the engineStop now
- Engine has seized or locked upStop now
- Low compressionRide with care
- Metal particles or flakes in the oilDo not ride
- New or increased engine vibrationRide with care
- Knocking from the cylinder when cold that fades when warmRide with care
- Ticking noise from the top of the engineRide with care
- Whining noise from the engineRide with care
- Two-stroke is hard to start, runs lean or smokes (crankcase leak suspected)Ride with care
- Piston crown is chewed, pitted or meltedDo not ride
Smoke and exhaust
- Black smoke from the exhaustRide with care
- Blue or grey smoke from the exhaustRide with care
- Smoke or oil mist from the crankcase breatherRide with care
- Exhaust blocked or choked with carbon (two-stroke)Ride with care
- Exhaust pipe glows red or the catalytic converter overheatsStop now
- Ticking or puffing from an exhaust leakRide with care
- Exhaust has become much louderRide with care
- Popping or banging from the exhaust when slowing downRide with care
- Rattling from the exhaust or heat shieldRide with care
- Oil dripping from the exhaust (two-stroke)Ride with care
- White smoke or steam from the exhaustRide with care
- Engine still smokes after a rebuild with new ringsRide with care
Oil and leaks
- Oil is milky or creamyDo not ride
- Oil turns black very soon after a changeOK to ride
- Oil leaking from an engine side coverRide with care
- Oil leaking from the drain plugDo not ride
- Oil leaking from the cylinder head or base gasketRide with care
- Oil leaking behind the front sprocketRide with care
- Oil leaking under the bikeRide with care
- Oil level drops but there is no visible leakRide with care
- Too much oil in the engineRide with care
- Oil smells of petrol or the level risesDo not ride
- Oil pressure or oil level light is onStop now
- Two-stroke oil tank level is not going downDo not ride
Cooling
Clutch
- Semi-automatic clutch (step-through) slips or engages roughlyRide with care
- Clutch drags: the bike creeps or lurches when in gear with the lever pulledRide with care
- Clutch grabs or judders when pulling awayRide with care
- Clutch lever has no resistance or the cable has snappedDo not ride
- Rattle or whir from the clutch that changes when the lever is pulledRide with care
- Clutch slips: revs rise but the bike does not pullRide with care
- Hard to find neutralOK to ride
- Clutch lever is very heavy to pullRide with care
Gearbox and gear change
- Loud clunk when selecting first gearOK to ride
- Finds false neutrals between gearsRide with care
- Gear lever is loose, bent or slipping on its shaftRide with care
- Gear lever does not spring backRide with care
- Whining noise in one or more gearsRide with care
- Gears are hard to selectRide with care
- Jumps out of gear under loadRide with care
- Neutral light does not work or stays on in gearOK to ride
- Stuck in one gearDo not ride
Chain and sprockets
- Chain is dry, rusty or has stiff linksRide with care
- Chain jumps teeth or comes off the sprocketsStop now
- Chain is noisy, clattering or slappingRide with care
- Chain rubs on the guard, slider or swingarmRide with care
- Chain has snappedStop now
- Chain needs adjusting very oftenRide with care
- Chain is tight in some places and slack in othersRide with care
- Clunk or snatch from the rear wheel when opening and closing the throttleRide with care
- Sprocket teeth are hooked, sharp or brokenRide with care
- Chain adjuster has run out of travelRide with care
Scooter automatic drive (CVT)
- Scooter drive belt has brokenStop now
- Scooter creeps forward at idle or the rear wheel turns on the standRide with care
- Oil leaking from the scooter rear gear caseRide with care
- Scooter judders when pulling awayRide with care
- Scooter will not reach its normal top speedOK to ride
- Noise from the scooter drive caseRide with care
- Scooter revs but accelerates slowlyRide with care
Brakes
- ABS warning light is onRide with care
- Brake drags and the wheel does not spin freelyDo not ride
- Brakes get weaker when hotDo not ride
- Brake fluid is dark or lowRide with care
- Brake fluid is leakingDo not ride
- Brakes grind or scrapeDo not ride
- Brakes pulse or judderRide with care
- Brakes squealRide with care
- Brake caliper sticks or is seizedDo not ride
- Combined braking (CBS) does not work as it shouldDo not ride
- Drum brake squeaks or grindsRide with care
- Drum brake is weakDo not ride
- Brake lever slowly sinks when heldDo not ride
- Brake lever pulls back to the handlebarStop now
- Brake pads wear unevenlyRide with care
- Rear brake pedal travels too farDo not ride
- Brake lever or pedal feels spongyDo not ride
- Brakes are firm but do not stop the bike wellDo not ride
- Wheel locks too easilyDo not ride
Steering
- Handlebar is not straight when the wheel is straightDo not ride
- Clunk from the front when brakingDo not ride
- Handlebars shake or wobbleStop now
- Steering feels heavyRide with care
- Steering is notchy or catches in the centreRide with care
- Bike pulls to one sideRide with care
- Bike weaves at high speedDo not ride
Suspension
- Front forks bottom outRide with care
- Front forks feel harsh over bumpsRide with care
- Oil leaking from a fork legRide with care
- Knocking or squeaking from the front forksRide with care
- Front forks feel sticky or stiffRide with care
- Fork legs are twisted or unevenDo not ride
- Rear bounces after bumpsRide with care
- Clunk from the rear suspensionDo not ride
- Rear suspension feels harshRide with care
- Rear sits too lowRide with care
- Oil leaking from a rear shockRide with care
- Swingarm moves sideways or has playDo not ride
- Fork leaks again soon after new sealsRide with care
Wheels and tyres
- Air leaking where the tyre meets the rimRide with care
- Spokes are loose or brokenRide with care
- Flat tyre on a wheel with an inner tubeDo not ride
- Flat tyre on a tubeless wheelDo not ride
- Rim is dented or crackedDo not ride
- Tyre slowly loses airRide with care
- Vibration at certain speedsRide with care
- Tyre has a bulge or cutStop now
- Tyre worn flat in the centreOK to ride
- Tyre is cracked or oldRide with care
- Tyre worn into a scalloped or cupped patternRide with care
- Air leaking from the tyre valveRide with care
- Rumbling or grinding from a wheelRide with care
- Wheel moves sideways on the axleDo not ride
- Wheel is buckled or wobblesDo not ride
- Wheel hub or brake drum is very hot after ridingDo not ride
- New tube goes flat soon after fitting a tyreDo not ride
Battery and charging
- Battery terminals are corrodedRide with care
- Battery goes flat after the bike is parkedRide with care
- Battery is boiling, swollen or leakingStop now
- Lights go dim at idleRide with care
- A new battery goes flat quicklyRide with care
- Battery is not charging while ridingRide with care
- Battery overcharges and bulbs blowDo not ride
- Something drains the battery with the key offRide with care
- Regulator is very hot or the connector has meltedDo not ride
- Burnt smell from the generator or a dark stator connectorDo not ride
- Battery reads good voltage but will not start the bikeDo not ride
Lights, horn and instruments
- All lights stop workingDo not ride
- Brake light does not workDo not ride
- Brake light stays onRide with care
- Bulbs keep blowingRide with care
- Instruments or dashboard are deadRide with care
- Headlight is dimRide with care
- Headlight flickersRide with care
- Headlight does not workRide with care
- High beam or flash does not workRide with care
- Horn does not workRide with care
- Horn is weak or croakyRide with care
- Indicators do not workRide with care
- Indicators flash too fastRide with care
- Indicators stay on and do not flashRide with care
- Speedometer or odometer does not workRide with care
- Tail light does not workRide with care
- Warning lights flicker or come on wronglyRide with care
Wiring, fuses and switches
- Problems after fitting accessories or an alarmRide with care
- Burning smell from the wiringStop now
- Fuse keeps blowingDo not ride
- Ignition switch is stiff or cuts powerDo not ride
- Electrical faults come and goRide with care
- Nothing happens when the key is turned onDo not ride
- Handlebar switch does not work properlyRide with care
- Electrical faults after rain or washingRide with care
Controls and cables
- A control cable is frayed or stiffDo not ride
- Choke lever or cable does not workRide with care
- Brake or clutch lever is loose, bent or brokenDo not ride
- Foot pedal or footpeg is stiff, bent or looseRide with care
- Speedometer cable is noisy or brokenOK to ride
- Throttle has too much free playRide with care
- Throttle sticks or does not snap shutStop now
Frame, stands and bodywork
- Rattling from panels, mudguards or the seatOK to ride
- Centre stand is hard to use or scrapesOK to ride
- The bike has been dropped or crashedDo not ride
- Crack in the frame or a bracketDo not ride
- Mirror is loose or will not stay in placeRide with care
- Seat is loose or the seat lock does not workRide with care
- Side stand spring is weak or the stand is looseRide with care
- Screw or bolt will not come out, or its head is damagedOK to ride
Electric drive
- Controller overheats or shuts downRide with care
- Power cuts out when accelerating hardRide with care
- Dashboard is dark and the bike seems deadDo not ride
- Error code or warning on the dashboardRide with care
- Insulation or high-voltage warningStop now
- Bike judders or jerks when pulling awayRide with care
- Bike is in reduced power or limp modeRide with care
- Motor gets very hot or power drops after a long climbRide with care
- Grinding, clicking or growling from the motorRide with care
- Dashboard is on but the bike will not go to readyDo not ride
- Regenerative braking does not workOK to ride
- Bike shows ready but will not moveDo not ride
- Power cuts in and out with the throttleRide with care
- Bike has been in deep water or a floodStop now
- Rear wheel is locked or very hard to pushDo not ride
Electric battery and charging
- Small 12 V battery is flatDo not ride
- Battery shuts off suddenly (BMS protection)Do not ride
- Battery percentage jumps or drops suddenlyRide with care
- Charging stops before the battery is fullOK to ride
- Charger cable or plug is damagedOK to ride
- Charger shows a fault light or stays offOK to ride
- Poor range or slow charging in the coldOK to ride
- Battery pack is dropped, dented, swollen or wetStop now
- Battery pack is hot, hissing or smellsStop now
- Charge plug or socket gets hotDo not ride
- Range has droppedOK to ride
- Swapped battery is not recognisedDo not ride
- Battery will not chargeDo not ride