Motorcycles are amazing machines. They have power, they're fast, and they're fun to ride. But sometimes, motorcycles just won't turn over. What can you do if this happens? In this article, we'll discuss some of the common causes of motorcycle engine failure, and how to deal with them.

How motorcycles work

Motorcycles are powered by an engine that turns the wheels. As the motorcycle moves forward, the engine pushes the bike and rider through the air. The faster you go, the more power your motorcycle has and the harder it is to turn over.

To start your motorcycle, you first have to turn off the engine. You do this by pressing a button on either side of the handlebars. When you're ready to ride, you press both buttons at once and hold them down until you hear a clicking sound from beneath your feet.

When turning, be gentle with your motorcycle. If you apply too much power when turning, it may not be easy for your motorcycle to turn over — in which case you'll have to try again later or find another way to get where you're going.

Causes of motorcycle engine failure

While motorcycles have power, they can't turn over as easily as cars and trucks. This is because motorcycle engines are designed for higher speeds and require more torque to start. When your engine starts, it spins the crankshaft, which in turn compresses the air-fuel mixture and causes the engine to fire up.

If your motorcycle doesn't have enough torque, it won't be able to turn over even when you try to push on the throttle. In these cases, you'll need to take your bike to a mechanic or dealership for repairs or replacement.

There are several common causes of motorcycle engine failure that riders should be aware of:

  • Crankcase leaks: If water or oil seeps past the seals around the crankcase, it can cause the engine to fail. Leaks can occur from small breaks in the sealant (a result of corrosion or wear), from cracks in the crankcase itself, or from damage caused by excessive heat and pressure (from racing).
  • Piston slap: When you put your foot down on the gas pedal, a piston slap occurs when top-end RPMs exceed what's necessary to compress/combust fuel into forced combustion. This creates friction within pistons and connecting rods – both of which experience shock loads – which can ultimately lead to piston failure.
  • Worn bearings: Bearing failure is one of the most common reasons motorcycles don’t start; bearings wear out due primarily to metal-on-metal contact (resulting from dirt buildup & metal fatigue) as well as thermal cycling (the repeated heating & cooling cycles typical of riding a motorcycle).

How to fix a motorcycle engine failure

If you're riding a motorcycle and it starts to fail, the first thing you need to do is stop. If the engine won't turn over, it's impossible to fix and you'll just end up getting hurt or worse.

If your motorcycle has an electric starter, try pressing down on the pedal with all your weight until the engine finally starts. If your motorcycle doesn't have an electric starter, try kicking start it by hitting it with a hard object like a rock.

Once the engine is running, try to Cowboy Start the bike: Put one foot on either side of the rear wheel and give it some quick kicks while pedaling backward. If that fails too, pull out your emergency toolkit (which might include flares and a tow truck) and attempt to reach the bike from behind.

If none of these methods work, call for help! Motorcycle accidents are some of the most dangerous in America, so don't risk your or someone else's safety by trying to fix something that can't be fixed.

In this article, we’ll be discussing how motorcycles work and how to diagnose and fix engine failures. We’ll also cover some preventative measures you can take to keep your motorcycle running smoothly. Thanks for reading!