7 Things to Do When Your Dirt Bike Won't Start

Sometimes when your dirt bike does not get used, it won't start.

Here are some ways to start a "mad motor."

Step 1: Follow These Steps to Get Your "Mad Motor" Running

1. Make sure the gas line is ON.

2. Make sure you have gas in the dirt bike.

3. Make sure the spark plug boot is pushed in.

4. Make sure you have spark. To test for spark, take the spark plug out from the head, but not out of the boot. Put it against some metal on the bike and turn it over while kicking the kick start (or if you have an electric start, use that). You should see spark. If you see no spark, then put a new spark plug in. Make sure to put the right size spark plug in and do not over-tighten the spark plug.

5. Use choke.

6. If the motor has not run in a long time (i.e. more than 1 year), you should put new gas in it.

7. Once you have done all of these steps and it still won't start, then clean the carbs.

8. Clean the air filter.

Comments

[quinnandbeth]

I have a 49cc ktx radical dirt bike, run about 2-3 hours. Left sit for a week tried to pull start it turns over but won’t start- I hope it is just flooded- thoughts...

[isaiahstayner2000]

Hi i was wondering so my bike turns over every thing on it is fine i cleaned the carb but i dont have a air filter i have spark i checked but it wont start and when it dose i go to rev it and it bogs and dies on me i need help because i dont know what's wrong with it so someone please help plz its a 2006 kawasaki 111cc air cooled 4 stroke so help plz.

[Tauseef hamza]

I have a 50cc dirt bike and I bought a new kill switch for it.and it has been sitting for 2 years untouched what do you think would be wrong with it?

[dinatallitammy69]

Recently bought a used 2016 125 cc Apollo pit bike for my son. It will not start. Has spark has compression put starting fluid in plug hole it jumps but won't start. Fuel goes threw to carb dk what to do next yrs mess w choke also no diff.help someone plz

[c.j.house.071]

Same 125 cc bike. Carb is clean. Compression. Spark. Was advised to use choke (cold here) so it's on, new gas, new oil... Someone said there is a knack to it.. Well I ain't got it! Key on, kill switch off (tried both positions). I see online these carbs are crap, maybe new one?

[korben_ridesgood34]

my kick start has no feel to it it just goes straight down and my bike wont start

[Joey E]

Sounds like it doesn't have any compression

[rottnjeep]

Good ideas for just about any small engine that people sometimes forget about

[calvin76calvin]

I have a 60 pitster 2019 got it Jan 2020 ..my son barley rides it and he hasn't ride it on the dirt yet ..just around the trailer park ..it has new fuel .new spark plug. We clean carb and gas tank . It start for just a few sec then it won't try to start again ..I don't know it my warranty cover that ..I went to take it in last two months ago the guy told me he'll look at it and said it needed a oil change ..I took it in because it was making noise and he said it was ok but it needed oil change ..so I got it change thinking it wasn't much ..so when I pick it up I cost me $110 just for oil change and labor fee..so I don't want to take it to him if the problem just simply ..oil change yes I could've done my self ..I learn my lesson ..so it's my first time owe a dirt bike and it's for my son first bike ..I just need help so it won't cost me ..I'm learning as I go

[drpdub69]

ive done all these things it just wont turn over

[Joebuford89]

Hi I have a Honda XR100R 1996 and my engine has a spark and it has clean gas but it will not start I don't know what is wrong with it but sometimes it sounds like it wants to start but it doesn't

[UdoD]

I have a 2004 KTM 200 exc It just had a rebuilt ,new piston and rings ,new sleeve ,new conrod kit and balanced crank with big end and smal end bearings ,I received the bike back yesterday and everything was perfect I rode a goed 40 min before a storm burst out and I had to park it the next day I struggled to get it to start and when it eventually started it ran about 20 seconds before bogging out on me and cutting ou ,HELP

[hflorman]

Oh did u not let it break in?

[sterling755]

hi my bike suddenly cut while i was raving it and has not been able to start since then, the crank feels loose and it wont even work with the electric start. please help.

[hflorman]

U probably blew it up lol

[wantedb4o]

Hey mine start up on choke then shut off)help and carburetor brand new

[Adel1234]

Hi I have a Yz250f 2012 and I just swapped the the stock muffler with a yoshimura muffler and i started it with choke on and it was quiet then turned off and won’t start

[hflorman]

Intresting.....have you checked for something in the muffler that could be blocking the airflow and shutting off your bike?

[Adel1234]

I revved it a bit when it started now it starts fine

[CalebK28]

My bike was running when I left to go to the beach but when I got home it wouldnt start I have spark and I cleaned the car it’ll kick over for just a second but won’t fully come on it has a brand new spark plug in it what should I do?