It might be fun to rip down a dirt road occasionally, watching in your rearview mirror as a cloud of powder kicks up into the air and creates a blanketing veil that spreads out behind you like a fog as you speed away. It might be fun to imagine you’re the hero in a chase scene, leaving the bad guys behind you, literally in the dust. Or maybe you just like the aesthetic of the smoke rising up and creeping outward as it gently makes its way back down to the ground.
However, if that smoke is actually coming from your motorcycle and you can create the same scenario on a paved road or even when standing still, there’s absolutely nothing fun about that. Smoke billowing from your bike is usually a sign that something is wrong and needs attention.
Keep in mind, smoke doesn’t always signal a serious problem. In fact, emitting a small amount of light white smoke when starting a cold engine is usually the result of heat changes in the exhaust system that create water vapor being ejected via the exhaust pipe. On the other hand, if smoke expelled from your bike is a regular issue and doesn’t go away after the motorcycle is fully warm, you need to take action.
Cycle Trader examined the issue of smoking motorcycles and put together the following information to help you determine what may be causing the problem and what you can do to make it go away.
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Color Coding
The color of the smoke is usually a telltale sign for where to begin your repair search:
- White smoke could be a sign that your bike’s coolant has leaked into the combustion chamber. This could be caused by a defective cylinder head gasket or cracks in the cylinder head itself. One easy way to confirm if coolant is the problem is to check the coolant reservoir. Check your coolant level to see if it is running low. If the coolant is discolored or murky, it is possible that oil has leaked into the cooling system.
- Blue or gray smoke often means that oil is getting into the combustion chamber and is burning off with the gas/air mixture. This could be caused by a number of different things, including a clogged or jammed PCV valve, or worn piston rings or valve seals that are allowing the lubricant to sneak into the combustion process. First, check your engine oil level to see if it regularly runs low. Next, check your air filter to see if there is oil present. You can also remove the spark plugs to see if a plug has oil on it or there are carbon deposits on one particular cylinder, which will both tell you where the leak is coming in. If you’re not seeing any signs of leaking and you still have smoke, make sure that you are using a quality oil and the right lubricant for your engine. A poor-quality oil can cause smoke, which can be remedied simply by changing your oil and making sure the filters are all good.
- Black smoke could mean that your fuel mixture is too rich and the ratio of fuel to air is too high. When this is the case, the engine will expel unburnt fuel into the exhaust chamber, producing smoke that kicks out through the exhaust. If your motorcycle has a carburetor, you may just need to adjust the jetting to make sure everything is in sync. If your ride is fuel injected, the fuel line might be clogged or there may be a problem with the injectors.
Other Signs
Smoke is only one sign that something is wrong with your bike. If you have a coolant leak, your motorcycle will constantly run hot, which could damage the engine over time if not remedied. If oil is leaking into the combustion chamber or you’re running a rich mixture of fuel to air, you’ll probably notice a drop in your fuel economy and maybe a decrease in power. Any carbon buildup inside the piston chamber or on the spark plugs could also lead to more serious engine problems.
If you like to tinker and have the right tools, using the information above can help you diagnose where to look for problems. Some issues may be an easy fix, others might take some time and money. If you’re not an experienced mechanic, you might want to take your bike to a professional who may be able to diagnose and repair your motorcycle more quickly than you can do it yourself. It might cost a little more to hire someone, but you’ll most likely be back out on the road sooner.
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Let The Good Times Roll
If you don’t have a motorcycle yet and are looking for a great deal on a new or used bike, CycleTrader.com has the largest online listing of rides for sale by private owners and dealers alike. And if you’re in the market to sell your current motorcycle or maybe trade up to a new one, we can assist with that, too.
Either way, when riding, just remember to look for the signs listed above, especially if you’re buying a used or older bike, and make sure to take care of the issue early on so it doesn’t create even bigger problems later.
Ride safe. Ride happy.
