Owning a motorcycle requires a lot of work, including regular maintenance. Motorcycles are more likely than cars to need repairs to the engine. While many motorcycle owners enjoy tinkering with their bikes in their spare time, not every rider has the mechanical skills to fix serious problems.
If you own a motorcycle and notice the following signs, it may be time to bring it to a professional mechanic for a repair estimate.
Loss of Power
Many riders will know right away when their bike is running at a lower performance level. You can feel this loss of power, which indicates a problem with the internal workings of the motorcycle engine. These issues can range from simple to complicated, but as soon as you notice your bike experiencing a loss of power, get it to a repair shop. The sooner you act, the better chance you have of preventing a more serious problem in the long run.
Strange Noises
Similar to cars, a problem with your motorcycle can be identified by the unusual noises the bike starts to make. When you’ve owned a motorcycle for several years, you will come to understand the sounds of a healthy engine, as well as the sounds that indicate a problem. Hissing, backfiring, popping and knocking are all signs that there may be a problem with the engine’s combustion flow.
Engine Runs with Ignition Off
A common problem with many bikes happens when you’ve turned the ignition off, but the engine continues to run. This often occurs in high-performance motorcycles and is referred to as “run-on.” The culprit is usually when the octane in the gas is not right.
It is important to listen carefully to your engine when riding so you can spot problems early, before they become something more serious.