Sometimes, while riding, your motorcycle could start to jerk. It is a bothersome problem that you may be troubled with. You know how common this problem is, and I can tell you that I’ve run into it many times myself. There are numerous explanations for this problem, and I have identified 15 typical ones.
Please read this post to understand how you can be prepared to tackle this problem if you are having problems right now and want to get rid of it. I’ve listed 15 reasons for the problem, along with solutions.
Why Is My Motorcycle Jerking?
There are a number of potential causes for your motorcycle to jerk, but the most common causes are faults with the ignition, an excessive amount of load, partially blocked filters or fuel lines, fuel issues, engine oil, vapour lock, air lock, a worn sprocket, and electrical wiring problems.
The following are some of the reasons why a motorcycle shakes:
1. Ignition Issues
When your motorcycle starts jerking, the first thing you need to do is try to diagnose the issue.
There are a lot of things that can cause your motorcycle to jerk, but the most common are ignition issues. So, if your bike is jerking, the first thing you should do is check the ignition.
Fix:
Here are a few things you can do to fix ignition issues:
Make sure the wires are properly connected and in good condition
Make sure the spark plug caps are in good condition and properly connected
Check the fuel level and make sure there’s enough fuel in the tank
2. Too much load
So you’re out for a ride on your motorcycle, and all of a sudden, it starts jerking like crazy. What the heck is going on?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. This is a common problem that a lot of riders experience. And the good news is that there are a few things you can do to fix it.
First of all, make sure you’re not carrying too much weight. If your bike is overloaded, it can cause all sorts of problems, including jerking. So try to keep the load to a minimum.
Also, make sure your tires are in good condition. If they’re worn out, that can also cause your bike to jerk around. Get them replaced if necessary.
And finally, make sure your engine is properly tuned. An out-of-tune engine can cause your bike to jerk around a lot as well. So take it to a mechanic and have them do a tune-up.
Fix: This can often be fixed by replacing the air filter or the fuel filter.
3. Partially Clogged filters or fuel lines
Your motorcycle might be shaking because the fuel filter or fuel line is partly clogged. Don’t worry, we can fix that.
Fix: Here are the steps you need to take:
– First, remove the fuel filter and check it for dirt or debris. If you see anything, clean it out using a cloth or paper towel.
– Next, inspect the fuel line for any kinks or obstructions. If you find any, remove them and then reattach the fuel line.
– Finally, reattach the fuel filter and start your motorcycle. If it’s still jerking, then you might need to clean the carburetor.
4. Fuel Issues
When your motorcycle starts jerking, the first thing you want to do is try to identify the source of the problem. And in most cases, the root cause is fuel-related.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common fuel issues that can cause your motorcycle to jerk.
Low fuel level
Clogged or dirty fuel filter
Incorrect fuel type or octane rating
Water in the fuel system
Fuel pump failure
Fix:
This can be fixed by checking the fuel lines and/or the fuel pump.
5. Engine oil
You’re driving along, and all of a sudden your motorcycle starts jerking. You pull over to the side of the road, but you’re not sure what’s going on. You might think your bike is possessed!
Don’t worry, it’s not your bike that’s possessed—it’s just your engine. When your engine oil isn’t up to par, it can cause your bike to jerk around. Here are 11 common causes of motorcycle jerking and how to fix them.
Low engine oil level
Dirty engine oil
Clogged oil filter
Worn out engine oil
Faulty spark plugs
Clogged fuel injectors
Defective fuel pump
Incorrect ignition timing
Poor-quality gasoline
Clogged air filter
Defective throttle position sensor
Fix: This can be fixed by adding engine oil or changing the engine oil filter.
6. Vapour Lock
You’re out on a ride, and your motorcycle starts jerking. You pull over to the side of the road, and it’s clear that something is wrong. What do you do?
Well, the first thing you need to do is figure out what’s causing the jerking. There are a few possibilities, but one of the most common is called vapor lock.
When the fuel in your tank heats up, it starts to turn into gas. If this gas can’t escape from the tank, it will start to build up pressure. And when there’s too much pressure, it can cause the engine to sputter or even stop altogether.
Fix:
Luckily, vapor lock is an easy problem to fix. All you need to do is wait for the bike to cool down and then add some fuel stabilizer to your tank. This will help keep the fuel from turning into gas and prevent vapor lock from happening again.
7. Air lock
When your motorcycle is jerking, it’s most likely because of an air lock. This happens when the air and fuel in the engine can’t get to the cylinders, and you’ll usually feel it when you’re braking or decelerating.
Fix: The easiest way to fix this is to pull over, turn off the engine, and pop the gas cap. This will let the air and fuel mix together, and then you can start the engine again. If the problem persists, you’ll need to take your bike in for a tune-up.
8. Worn Sprocket
So, your motorcycle is jerking. It could be a lot of things—a loose chain, a worn-out sprocket, or something entirely else. But we’re going to focus on the sprocket for now, because that’s the most common problem.
A sprocket is the part of the drivetrain that meshes with the chain. It’s what turns the wheel, and if it’s worn out, it can cause your bike to jerk or lurch forward. Not good.
Fortunately, this is an easy fix. All you need is a new sprocket and some tools to remove the old one. You can usually find a replacement sprocket at your local hardware store, and it’s not too difficult to install. So don’t wait—fix that jerking bike before it causes any more problems!
Fix: You can fix this by replacing the sprocket
9. Electrical Wiring Issues
If your motorcycle is jerking, there’s a good chance it’s due to electrical wiring issues. And the best way to fix this is by taking it to a mechanic.
What might seem like a simple fix could actually be something more complicated, and it’s best to leave it to the experts. They’ll be able to take a look at your bike and determine what the problem is—and, more importantly, how to fix it.
Fix: If there’s a problem with your electrical wiring, it can cause your motorcycle to jerk. You can fix this by getting a professional to look at your wiring and fix any issues.
10. Oil Contamination
Your motorcycle is jerking because of oil contamination. There are a few things you can do to fix the problem.
The first step is to change the oil. You should also check the air filter and the fuel filter and replace them if necessary. You might also need to clean the carburetor.
If you have an automatic transmission, you should check the transmission fluid and replace it if necessary. You can also add a transmission stabilizer to help keep the fluid from breaking down.
These are just a few things you can do to fix the problem. If you’re not sure what to do, take your motorcycle to a mechanic and have them take a look at it.
Fix: This can be caused by poor maintenance or a dirty engine. The simplest solution is to change the oil and filter
11. Transmission issues
If your motorcycle is jerking, it could be a sign that there’s something wrong with the transmission. But don’t worry, it’s a fixable problem. Here are a few things you can do to troubleshoot the issue and get your bike back on the road.
First, check the level of your transmission fluid. It might be low, and that’s causing the jerking motion. If that’s not the problem, then you might need to take it to a mechanic for a more in-depth diagnosis.
There could be something wrong with the gears, or maybe the chain is loose. Whatever the problem is, it’s best to get it fixed as soon as possible so you can enjoy a smooth ride.
Fix: If you’re experiencing this issue, take your bike to a mechanic for repair.
12. Chain or belt tension
Is your motorcycle jerking? It could be a problem with the chain or belt tension. Here’s how to fix it:
Loosen the screws on the side covers until you can see the belt or chain.
If the belt is too tight, loosen the bolts on the alternator until the belt is loose enough.
If the chain is too tight, loosen the screws on the rear axle until the chain is loose enough.
Once the chain or belt is loose enough, retighten the screws on the side covers and test ride your bike to see if it’s still jerking.
13. Damaged Valve
You’re probably wondering what could be causing your motorcycle to jerk. Well, one possible explanation is that there’s something wrong with your valve.
Now, if you’re not sure what a valve is, don’t worry—we’ll get to that in a bit. But suffice it to say, it’s an important part of your motorcycle, and if it’s damaged, it can cause all sorts of problems.
The good news is that a damaged valve is a pretty easy fix. You can take care of it yourself or take it to a mechanic and have them take a look at it. Just make sure you get it fixed as soon as possible, because a damaged valve can seriously affect the performance of your motorcycle.
Fix: If you think this might be the issue, take your bike to a mechanic for repair.
14. Clutch Issues
If you’re experiencing issues with your clutch, it’s probably because it needs to be adjusted or serviced. Here are a few things you can do to try to fix the problem:
Fix:
Make sure the clutch cable is properly adjusted.
Check the clutch fluid level and top it off, if necessary.
Have the clutch plates inspected and serviced, if needed.
If you’re not comfortable doing any of these things yourself, it might be a good idea to take your bike to a mechanic and have them take a look at it.
15. Improper Clutch Instalment
When it comes to your motorcycle, the clutch is an important part that needs to be installed correctly. If it’s not, you might start experiencing some jerking.
Here are a few signs that you might need to have your clutch looked at:
Your motorcycle is jerking when you’re taking off or shifting gears
It’s hard to get into gear
You’re having trouble accelerating smoothly
Fix:
If you’re experiencing any of these problems, take your motorcycle into a shop and have them take a look. There might be something wrong with the installation, and it needs to be fixed before it causes any more damage.
Why Is My Motorcycle Jerking When I Accelerate?
Let’s talk about one of the most common problems motorcycle owners face: jerking when they accelerate. There are a number of reasons why this might happen, and in this article we’ll go over eleven of them.
But before we get into the specifics, let’s take a moment to discuss what jerking actually is. When you’re accelerating and your bike suddenly lurches forward, that’s jerking. It’s not a good feeling, and it can make it difficult to control your bike.
So what can you do to fix it? Well, that depends on the cause. But we’ll go over some of the most common reasons why your bike might be jerking and what you can do to fix it.
Why Does My Motorcycle Jerk When I Shift Gears?
When you’re riding your motorcycle and you suddenly feel it jerk when you shift gears, it’s a pretty disconcerting feeling. You start to wonder what could be wrong and whether or not you’re going to be able to make it to your destination.
But don’t panic—there are several common causes of motorcycle jerking, and most of them are easy to fix. In this article, we’ll take a look at eleven of the most common ones and explain how to fix them.
So if your bike has been giving you trouble lately, take a look at this article and see if you can find the fix you need.
Conclusion
Motorcycles that jerk can be caused by a number of things, but the most common ones have already been talked about. I really hope you are now equipped with enough knowledge to get rid of your motorcycle jerks. If you found this information to be helpful, please feel free to share it with others.
