What is the reason why a motorcycle does not move when in gear?
2 Answers
It may be due to a damaged automatic centrifugal clutch. Motorcycle: A motorcycle is a two-wheeled or three-wheeled vehicle driven by a gasoline engine and steered by handlebars. It is lightweight, flexible, and fast, widely used for patrol, passenger and cargo transportation, and also serves as sports equipment. Broadly speaking, motorcycles are divided into street bikes, road racing motorcycles, off-road motorcycles, cruisers, and touring bikes. Power knowledge: Horsepower was initially defined by the French and Germans. However, since the horses used to measure horsepower were smaller than average, an engine with 50 horsepower should not be imagined as being pulled by 50 horses, but rather by 35 horses, which is more appropriate. The unit of horsepower is represented by (ps), a symbol first used by the Germans and still in use today.
I've been riding motorcycles for over a decade and have encountered several instances where the bike wouldn't move after shifting gears. The most common reason is not pulling the clutch lever all the way—you might think it's fully engaged, but it's actually not completely disengaged, preventing power from being transmitted. Once, on a rainy day, the chain was loose and slipping, unable to drive the rear wheel at all. I had to slowly adjust the chain tension, and since then, I always check the chain condition before every ride, using a wrench to gently tighten it and ensure it's not rusted stiff. Additionally, if the internal gears of the transmission are worn or jammed, especially on small-displacement bikes, shifting can easily cause issues, requiring repairs and part replacements. Don’t overlook the brake system either—if the rear brake pads are stuck, the wheel won’t turn at all, and shifting will only make the engine rev freely. Regular maintenance is crucial. I make it a habit to clean the clutch cable and chain periodically to minimize rain damage. If you're unsure of the cause, don’t force it, as you could burn out the clutch plates. Just take it to a reliable mechanic for a check-up.
