It's a common question for parents to ask themselves, "Why does my Motorbike Backfire?"
It can be difficult to answer. Motorbikes are different from cars and bikes in that they have an open-air engine, which means there is more room for the sound of the motor to escape.
This can cause backfiring when you're driving at high speeds or accelerating quickly because it causes extra pressure on the engine
Why Does My Motorbike Backfire?
A backfire is when a motorcycle engine gets too much fuel in the cylinders. Bikes come preset so that the carburetor offers the right balance of air and gas for optimum running.
This type of backfiring can happen when the bike is old or hasn't been properly maintained.
The sound of a motorbike backfire makes many parents worry, but it's important to remember that Motorbikes are different from cars and bikes in that they have an open-air engine.
This can cause backfiring when you're driving at high speeds or accelerating quickly because it causes extra pressure on the engine.
* You may find this interesting - The Ten Best Tips For Saving Fuel on Your Motorbike
Motorbike Backfires are not usually caused by anything serious; it is simply due to too much air and fuel flooding the cylinders which create excess noise.
However, if one does occur while riding your motorcycle, stop immediately so you don't risk damaging your bike. It may be time for some maintenance after all!
Why does my motorbike backfire on deceleration?
When decelerating, it is common for bikes to backfire.
This is because when the exhaust ports open, there's a sudden change in pressure that causes a very lean mixture of fuel and air to occur.
The fuel and air are still burning, but much more slowly at this point.
Motorcycle Backfiring – Causes and Fixes
Wrong Exhaust Upgrades
Sometimes riders think about purchasing aftermarket exhausts to save money. But be careful because this can go terribly wrong. This is because if the exhaust doesn't match your Motorbike's specs it won't operate correctly.
To avoid backfiring, be sure to jet your motorbike properly. This might mean jetting it correctly after new exhaust upgrades or servicing your motorbike for better performance so that there is less pressure on the engine.
Faulty Carburetor
If you love racing, your first assignment is checking the carburetor. This should be done every time your motorbike backfires.
When dirt and debris build up inside a motorbike's carburetor, the fuel can't flow freely. As a result, your bike will backfire or sometimes stop running.
This will affect the Motorbike's performance such as speed and acceleration.
To fix this problem, remove the air filter and carburetor from your Motorbike to get a better look inside. Be sure to clean out any dirt or debris that you find with compressed air before putting it back together again.
Consider investing in higher quality carburetor cleaner to eliminate all dirt and debris from the passageway.
Clogged Jets
Clogged jets are a common reason Motorbikes backfire. If the Motorbike has been sitting for a while, dirt and debris will build up in the jet passages which can cause problems with fuel flow.
In order to fix this issue, remove all of the air cleaner components from your Motorbike so that you have better access to what's inside. Use compressed air to blow out any dirt or debris from the Motorbike's jet passages.
Be sure to replace the air filter and cover before starting your Motorbike again. This will help keep the Motorcycle clean in between rides, which means less backfiring when you're riding around town.
Poor Timing
Poor timing is another common Motorbike backfire problem. Motorbikes have many cams, valves and chains that are all synchronized to work together as a team to provide optimum performance in terms of speed, acceleration and low emissions.
If the timing is off or not properly adjusted, your Motorbike's engine will operate too lean because fuel won't be delivered at the right time.
To fix this issue, have your Motorbike serviced to ensure that all cams and valves are timed properly. This can be done by a professional Motorcycle technician or with the help of knowledgeable friends who know how to adjust timing on Motorbikes.
Broken or Dirty Spark Plugs
If you're still experiencing backfiring after checking your timing, the next thing to look at is spark plugs. Motorbike's need a healthy and clean spark plug in order for it to fire correctly which will give you the boost of power that you want from your Motorbike.
If there are any signs of carbon deposits or dirt on the Motorbike's spark plug, it is time to replace it with a new one. Motorbike spark plugs are inexpensive and can be replaced in just minutes, which will solve Motorbike backfiring problems for good.
Excess Fuel
This isn't an obvious thing to look at, but Motorbike backfiring is often caused by excess fuel. Motorbikes use a carburetor to allow air and gas into the engine, but if there is too much petrol being delivered it will cause Motorbike backfiring because of lean mixtures or unburned fuel in the exhaust system.
To avoid these problems, make sure that the Motorcycle is jetted correctly and that there are no other fuel system symptoms. Motorbike performance will be improved with less backfiring when you're riding your Motorbike around town.
Leaky Spark Plug Caps
If the Motorbike has a leaky spark plug cap, it can cause Motorbikes to backfire because of lean mixtures and unburned fuel in the exhaust system.
Motorbike backfiring will be more frequent as well because there's no way for excess gas to escape from the Motorcycle, which is being caused by a leaky spark plug cap.
To fix this issue, replace your Motorbike's old spark plug caps with new ones that provide a tight seal. Motorbike backfiring will disappear for good with the installation of new spark plug caps from a Motorcycle accessory shop.
Low-Fuel Grade
Most of us try to buy the most economical fuel we can. However, Motorbikes are more sensitive to the type of fuel that you use.
Motorbike backfiring can be caused by low-fuel grade because it's hard for Motorcycles to operate correctly when they're being fed with a gas mixture that is too rich or lean.
If your Motorcycle is backfiring, replace the petrol in its tank with higher quality fuel and see if this solves Motorbike backfiring problems straightaway. If not, consult a professional Motorcycle mechanic to find out why your Motorbike isn't running right.
Shorter Exhaust Pipes
If your exhaust pipes are short, Motorbike backfiring can be another problem that you'll have to address. Motorcycle exhaust pipes are meant to absorb the sound of engine noise and release gas fumes into the atmosphere as quietly as possible.
Short Motorbike exhaust pipes won't do this effectively because they don't offer enough absorption for Motorbikes which will cause them to backfire more often than not.
To fix this issue, replace your old Motorbike's short exhaust pipe with a longer one from a professional Motorcycle accessory shop or local Car Shop near you!
Carbon Buildup
Finally, Motorbike carbon buildup could also cause Motorbikes to backfire because there will be unburned gases leaking into the atmosphere which causes pollution on every ride around town.
Motorbike backfiring will also be more prevalent when there is carbon buildup because the Motorcycle isn't working as efficiently as it would without the black gunk clogging up the engine
To fix Motorbike backfiring, use a professional Motorcycle cleaner to scrub off all of that sticky stuff that can cause your Motorbike's performance and gas efficiency to deteriorate.
This will not only make your Motorbike run smoother but you'll notice less Motorbikes backfire during rides around town too!
Wrapping Up
These tips should help you find out why your motorbike is backfiring and how to fix Motorbike backfire problems for good.
Motorbikes are a lot of fun, but they're only a wonderful experience when you aren't experiencing Motorbike backfires!
If you find that these tips haven't helped Motorbike backfiring problems, consult a Motorcycle mechanic or take your Motorbike to the Motorcycle accessory shop as soon as possible
If you have any questions or comments about this article, please get in touch with our team.