Why Motorcycle Kickback?

If you’re riding the cruise motorbike, then you are likely to experience the motorcycle kickback. But have you wondered why the motorcycle kicks back when you start your motorcycle? 

Motorcycle kickback is normal, and it is caused when there’s fuel vapor stuck in the ignition spark, cylinder, and piston, which plays a vital role in starting the motorbike. The motorcycle kicks back most when it’s cold outside or if there’s huge temperature difference.  

Let’s consider what it means and what you can do about it. 

While writing this post, I leave no stone unturned so you can know everything about motorcycle kickback. 

Why Motorcycle Kickback?

Indeed, motorcycle kickback can be a nasty problem, but have you wondered why motorcycle kickback? 

According to experts, motorbikes usually kick back when the fuel vapor gets stuck in the ignition spark, cylinder, and piston, which plays a vital role in starting the motorbike. 

Let’s understand this easier words!

When you give the kickstart, you rotate the crankshaft, and this crankshaft when reaches the upper side; the ignition is started because of an explosion in between the air-fuel mixture. 

But if the ignition is early, then the explosion will be early too, and it will cause the crankshaft to rotate slowly, which doesn’t generate enough energy to be stored in the flywheel. And in this situation, the reverse explosion takes place, which causes the motorcycle to kick back. 

Is Motorcycle Kickback Normal?

So far, you understand what causes motorcycle kickback, but have you wondered whether motorcycle kickback is normal or not? 

According to experts, motorcycle kickback is pretty standard and doesn’t cause any significant damage to your motorbike engine. But it can cause considerable damage to the motorbike engine if it is driven more frequently. 

I recommend you visit the mechanic if your motorbike does kickbacks more frequently. 

Is Motorcycle Kickback and Backfire the Same? 

So far, you understand why the motorcycle kickback happens and whether it’s safe for your motorbike engine or not. Now the question arises, is motorcycle backfire and kickback the same?  

Backfire and kickback aren’t the same; motorbike backfires are caused when your motorbike engine gets more than enough air and fuel, which is required for regular combustion. 

Additionally, a motorcycle backfire can cause your motorbike engine significant damage, which you should never ignore. On the other hand, the motorcycle kickback is pretty standard and doesn’t cause considerable damage to the motorbike engine, it is because of the mistiming of combustion. 

Can No Explosion Cause Motorcycle Kickback? 

So far, you understand that motorcycle kickback doesn’t cause any significant problem with your motorbike engine but have you wondered whether no explosion in your motorbike engine could cause kickback? 

You will find the main reason for the motorbike kickback is an early explosion that might have been caused at any time. However, kickbacks can’t be caused without explosion in your motorbike engine or some energy in the form of an explosion is needed to cause a kickback. 

Without an explosion, there would not be enough energy to cause a motorcycle kickback. 

Delay explosion inside engine = kickback

No explosion inside the engine = No Kickback

How Can You Avoid Motorcycle Kickback?

So far, you understand motorcycle kickback as the main reason which stops your motorbike from starting. Still, the intreating question arises, how can you avoid motorcycle kickback? 

In the market, you can find dozens of motorbike products that can make your motorbike start quickly by avoiding any kickback. But I highly recommend choosing them carefully as some products may permanently damage your motorbike engine. 

Or you can simply avoid it by installing it on your motorbike. 

Irrespective of any brand or product that claims their product can avoid motorbike kickback, no product can be completely effective against motorcycle kickback. 

However, you can put your whole weight on the motorbike kickstart to counter the kickback. 

Can Some Modifications Avoid Kickback? 

In the above section, you learned that products claiming they can avoid kickbacks won’t work for you. Now the question arises, can some minor modifications minimize the kickbacks? 

If your modifications can avoid early explosion into the motorbike engine, then those minor changes can minimize it significantly. The only problem with the modification is that it may generate some other severe problems, which could destroy your motorbike engine permanently. 

If you’re looking for any modification, you should go at your own risk because a slight mistake can destroy your engine. 

Although motorbike kickback isn’t a huge problem, it needs your special attention, especially when it’s about motorbike engines. So it’s better to avoid it. 

When does the Motorcycle Kick Back Most?

Indeed you now understand why the motorcycle kickback, and unfortunately, you can’t avoid the motorcycle kickback altogether. Now the question arises, when will the motorcycle kickback most? 

According to various riders, motorcycles kick back most when it is cold outside because, in the cold weather, motorcycle parts won’t move quickly, because of the temperature difference. 

Because of this temperature difference, the motorcycle kick start would be slow, which causes the crankshaft to move slowly, thus causing an early motorbike explosion. 

Can Motorcycles Kickback Destroy Your Engine?

So far, you understand whether the motorcycle kickback is standard or not; now the question arises, can motorcycle kickback destroy your engine? 

As mentioned above, kickback is pretty standard and won’t cause significant damage to your motorcycle engine. But sometimes, motorcycle kickback may also be caused by clogged motorbike exhaust pipes. 

You can give your motorbike exhaust pipes a better cleaning to minimize any future kickbacks because of exhaust. 

Why Should You Clean Your Motorbike Exhaust Pipes? 

So far, you’ve got an idea to clean your motorbike exhaust every month, but have you wondered why you should clean your motorbike exhaust pipes?

Experts always recommend cleaning motorbike exhaust because unclean motorbike exhaust may cause clogging that will cause ignition of unburnt fuel in the motorbike exhaust, also called backfiring. The ignition of unburnt fuel may also overheat your motorbike engine and exhaust. 

I know many riders still consider backfiring a motorbike as a showoff machine to impress peers. But in the longer run, they’re killing their motorbike unknowingly.

Clogged exhaust may also cause low fuel economy, which isn’t suitable for long journeys.

Also, read my previous post discussing the reasons behind your motorbike engine overheating; click here to read.  

What if You Don’t Clean Your Motorbike Exhaust Pipes? 

So far, you have learned why you must clean your motorbike exhaust pipes. Now let’s look at what happens if you don’t clean your motorbike exhaust pipes. 

If you don’t clean your motorbike exhaust pipes, then your motorbike will start to backfire. The backfiring will cause your motorbike to provide poor fuel economy; the backfiring light causes the engine and exhaust to overheat. Additionally, your motorbike chrome finish exhaust will discolor to blue without maintenance. 

And that’s why experts always recommend giving your motorbike proper maintenance so your motorbike won’t suffer from poor fuel economy. 

In the section, I’ve mentioned how you can clean your stainless steel and chrome finish motorbike exhaust. 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Final Verdict: 

Why the motorcycle kickback? Motorcycle kickback is normal, and it is caused when there’s fuel vapor stuck in the ignition spark, cylinder, and piston, which plays a vital role in starting the motorbike. The motorcycle kicks back most when it’s cold outside, and you can’t avoid it. 

However, you can minimize it by adequately maintaining your motorbike engine and cleaning your motorbike exhaust system better. 

I would highly recommend avoiding any modifications to avoid motorbike kickbacks because minor adjustments can lead to severe motorbike engine damage.