Any motorcycle mechanic will tell you that one of the most common issues that they encounter each day is motorcycles that are having trouble starting, or simply will not start at all. Although motorcycles all do the same job, they tend to each be as different from one another as their riders. However, when it comes to problems getting started, the good news is that no matter what kind of motorcycle you ride, there are some common trends that lead to this problem. We’ve listed some common reasons why motorcycles end up in the shop due to non-starting issues, and what you can do to help prevent this from happening.
Reason #1. Crashes and Accidents
Any motorcyclist knows that when riding a motorcycle on the roads, your risk of a collision is much higher than when driving a car. Not only are motorcycles smaller and more difficult for other road users to see; there’s also less protection from elements such as bad weather or worn roads, putting motorcyclists in a riskier position. If you have recently been involved in an accident on your motorcycle and now it is struggling to start, this is the most likely reason. Be aware of the various motorcycle safety tips to help prevent accidents on your bike in the future.
Reason #2. Neglect
If you don’t ride your motorcycle very often, it’s important to make sure that you take proper care of it during the periods that it is not being used. Simply leaving your motorcycle outdoors for days or weeks on end without so much as switching on the engine from time to time can quickly lead to problems that could result in it refusing to start up next time that you come to ride it. Issues starting after long periods of non-use can be down to various problems. However, the most common ones include the battery dying, fuel beginning to go bad and clogging up the inside of the fuel lines, and rusting of the chain and other exposed metal. If you don’t ride your motorcycle often, it’s a good idea to invest in various accessories to keep it in good condition in between rides, such as a battery charger and cover.
Reason #3. General Wear and Tear
Every motorcycle suffers from general wear and tear, but it may not be the first thing that you think of when it comes to a motorcycle that will not start any longer. Whilst some wear and tear is not going to cause a problem, other signs of wear, for example, wear and tear in and around the engine, can quickly cause issues when it comes to starting your motorcycle up. One of the best ways to avoid this happening is to simply make sure that you don’t put off taking your motorcycle in for regular maintenance each time it is due. Your maintenance schedule is usually found at the back of your owner’s manual and should be followed precisely to avoid encountering any future problems. You should also look out for any warning signs of serious wear and tear, such as dimming headlights, reduction in horn volume, or any problems starting the motorcycle.
Reason #4. Battery Problems
Perhaps one of the biggest culprits when it comes to failure to start a motorcycle is an issue with the battery. Although this can be temporarily rectified by jump-starting the battery in some cases, you should also be aware that sometimes the only way to deal with a failing battery is to simply have it replaced. This is especially true if the failure was not caused by user error, for example, if you have not accidentally left lights or other electrical components switched on without the engine running or if you use your motorcycle regularly and have not left it stored for a long period of time. You can find a great range of replacement motorcycle batteries at Hardwarexpress who have a handy battery finder tool to help you find the right product for your bike.
Reason #5. Manufacturing Problem
Lastly, if there is seemingly nothing else wrong with your motorcycle, the reason that it is not starting could be down to a manufacturing process error. However, the good news is that today, there is a lot of strict and stringent quality control which goes into the creation of any motorcycle, regardless of the make and model. However, bear in mind that if you have bought your motorcycle second-hand, for example, or if it is an aging model, manufacturing errors are not always ruled out. A trained mechanic will likely be able to spot a problem with the way a motorcycle has been made; if not, then a mechanic who works for the manufacturer themselves is the best person to see to rule out any underlying issues.
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