What are the reasons for motorcycles being difficult to start in cold weather?
3 Answers
The reasons for motorcycles being difficult to start in cold weather are: 1. Fuel aspect: In cold weather, the temperature of gasoline drops significantly, making it difficult for gasoline to vaporize in the carburetor, resulting in too little gasoline in the air-fuel mixture and making the mixture too lean; 2. Lubricating oil aspect: As the temperature decreases, the viscosity of lubricating oil increases, its fluidity deteriorates, and the engine starting resistance increases; 3. Current aspect: The viscosity of the electrolyte in the battery increases, and its fluidity and diffusivity deteriorate. The solutions for motorcycles being difficult to start are: 1. Check the carburetor, fuel mixture ratio, oil level, and choke; 2. Check if the valve clearance is too small or if there is air leakage; 3. Check if the high-voltage spark for ignition is strong; 4. Open the choke to force start.
I've been riding motorcycles for nearly thirty years, and starting them in winter is really troublesome. The main issue lies with weak batteries, which struggle to deliver current in low temperatures, especially old batteries that are prone to freezing damage. The engine oil thickens in cold weather, resembling solidified butter, causing the engine to seize up and making it difficult to turn over upon startup. Fuel evaporation is also poor, leading to insufficient air-fuel mixture, and the spark plugs fail to ignite. I remember one morning last year when it was minus ten degrees, my bike wouldn't start no matter what, and it wasn't until I replaced the battery that the problem was solved. My advice is to switch to winter-grade engine oil and use high-quality fuel before winter arrives, and to allow a few extra seconds for preheating when starting. If the bike is parked outdoors for long periods, regularly maintain the battery or keep it on a charger to reduce the chances of getting stranded due to freezing.
When repairing motorcycles, cold weather starting difficulties are often caused by reduced battery output, as low temperatures slow down chemical reactions, resulting in insufficient current. The high viscosity of engine oil increases resistance during engine operation, making it difficult to even push-start the bike. Fuel system issues are also significant, with poor gasoline vaporization leading to inadequate air-fuel mixture, and spark plugs prone to moisture or carbon buildup failure. I always advise customers to check battery voltage early and switch to thinner oil, such as specialized winter grades. Additionally, aging ignition wires or clogged air filters can exacerbate the problem. For prevention, keeping the garage warm or pre-warming the engine electrically is recommended, avoiding hard starts in cold conditions to conserve resources.
