Common motorbike problems

There are some common reasons why a moped or motorbike might cough and splutter at the idea of being woken up. If you've stored it for a time, or are just having some difficulty coaxing the motor, then here are some pointers to get you back on the road.

Why won't my motorbike start?

Sometimes the most obvious tricks can get you back on the road. Make sure the kill switch for the bike is not the culprit, and if your bike has a safety switch for the kickstand this could also be causing your problem.

At the risk of sounding obvious, remember too that each bike has it's own preferred starting procedure, so if you have just bought your bike, make sure you become familiar it. Some prefer clutch in, others to be in neutral with the stand down.

And at the risk of sounding just downright condescending, make sure you have also checked that the bike is not out of fuel. Open up the tank and have a squiz inside if your tank will allow it. Chances are you might just need to top up. If not, then move onto the next step.

Motorbike: Spark

A spark in your engine is essential for things to get moving, so if you have checked for the obvious, the next step would be to make sure the spark plugs are all firing properly. Take each one out, give it a good clean, place some oil inside the sockets to ensure good lubrication (about two spoons full should be ample), then try starting the bike up again.

Fuel lines in your motorbike

If you have no luck with the spark plugs, then move onto the fuel lines. If you placed a fuel stabiliser in the tank before storing it, then the fuel should be nice and clean, but it always pays to double check. Open up the fuel tank and check for sludge and particles. You may need to empty the fuel lines and start again. Make sure you clean the whole line, including the carburettor if needed.

If this is giving you no joy, move onto the oil. A complete oil change is often necessary if the bike hasn't been ridden for a while, because oil degrades easily if it's not used. Make sure you collect all of the oil and dispose of it properly, as oil in waterways is a strict no-no!

Following these steps, if the moped or bike starts, make sure you warm the engine for a while to get the new fuel and oil through the system properly. This way, it probably won't splutter and stop again as you ride.

Motorbikes and batteries

Motorbike batteries really don't last that long, so if your bike won't start, there's a good chance it's just a flat battery. With a voltmeter, check there is at least 12.5 volts reading with no load. If you don't have a voltmeter, other signs of a flat or low battery are little or no lights and horns.

Be careful about jumpstarting a motorbike. Newer, computer chip-based models might be adversely affected by the sudden jolt. Check with your manual before hand to be safe. Even if you do manage to jumpstart the bike, you will no doubt still need to recharge the battery, so it's best to be safe than sorry.

The battery of course may be fully charged, but the terminals dirty of connections loose. Check these as well before getting carried away with any jumpstarts.

If you have tried all these steps and the bike still won't start, there may be moisture in your fuel lines. If you dropped the bike and it won't start, it might have a drop safety switch. If all else fails, you may just need to put your leathers away for the day and take it to a mechanic for a look over to be safe.