Troubleshooting

A dirt bike hanging idle is not something you should avoid fixing. It can seize your engine, and it can also cause you to crash (speaking from experience here!) In this article and video, I'm going to break down: What is a “hanging idle” on a dirt bike? It's when you rev the engine by …

Wondering if the valves need to be adjusted on your 4 stroke dirt bike or how much it might cost? Letting them go too long can turn into major engine problems, but let's figure out this problem before it gets that far. In this article, I'll show you the most common symptoms of a 4 …

When you realize you (or your buddy) put the wrong gas in your dirt bike, your heart feels like it’s in your throat because you’re thinking “Did I just ruin my dirt bike?!” Don’t worry, at least not yet, because you may not have done much, if any damage to it yet. And if you …

Is your 2 stroke or 4 stroke dirt bike overheating but you're not quite sure why? Does it lose power or have coolant coming out of the overflow hose? In this article, you'll learn the most common reasons why your dirt bike is overheating, whether it's okay or not, and how to properly fix it …

Did the head gasket on your dirt bike just fail? Not sure what a blown head gasket means? This article will cover what a blown head gasket is, the most common signs of one, and how to fix it.  Fixing a head gasket isn't that difficult on most bikes. Figuring out why the gasket failed …

Is your dirt bike backfiring and you’re wondering if it’s safe? Whether you have a 2 stroke or 4 stroke dirt bike, you've found the right place! In this article, I’m going to show you what backfiring is on a dirt bike, why you may or may not need to get it fixed right away, …

Are you considering buying a pit bike carb upgrade but not sure if this popular mod is worth your money or what size to get? Whether you’re frustrated with your stock 125cc or bigger pit bike carb or you just want more power, you’re in the right place! In this article, I’m going to show …

Trying to figure out if your 2 stroke power valve is sticking on your dirt bike? Maybe you’re not even sure if it has a power valve or what it does. No worries - you’re in the right place! In this article, you’ll be able to understand what a 2 stroke power valve is, how …

Is your dirt bike suspension too soft but you’re not sure how to stiffen it? Whether you just bought your first dirt bike or you’ve just been too intimidated to work on your own suspension, you’re in the right place! In this article, I’m going to show you how suspension works in a way that’s …

Tired of having to replace the spark plug that keeps fouling on your dirt bike? It might be a simple and cheap fix, but there can be several variables to the issue. In this article, you'll learn what it means when your 2 stroke or 4 stroke dirt bike engine fouls a spark plug, why …

The comparison between a fuel injection vs carburetor dirt bike has gotten even more popular, but how do you know which one is best for you? Maybe you’re looking for your first dirt bike or just want to upgrade - either way, this article will make the decision easy for you! I’m going to show …

Want to learn how to easily adjust your dirt bike suspension to your weight so that you have more comfort to ride faster and safer? In this article, I'll show you what it takes to adjust your suspension, why it's so important for your confidence, and how to do it step-by-step.  Springs for your weight …

You want to ride but your dirt bike won’t start but it has fuel and spark. Those are just 2 parts to the equation, and just because you’re getting fuel and spark doesn’t mean it’s the right amount. In this article, I’m going to show you the practical steps I take to get a dirt …

Does your dirt bike have low compression? Whether you have a 2 stroke or 4 stroke dirt bike that feels like the compression might be getting low, you're in the right place! In this article, I'll show you the most common symptoms of low compression for a 2 stroke and 4 stroke engine, what the …

Is your dirt bike suspension too stiff? Whether you’re not sure how to easily soften it, or you’re just intimidated by anything to do with suspension, you’ve found the right article! In this post, I’ll show you how your suspension works, why it might be too stiff for you, and then a step-by-step tutorial on …

Wondering what it means to have your dirt bike knocking? Whether it just started making a weird noise or it's getting louder, this is the most important article for you! I'm going to show you what knocking, what it means and what’s causing it, and how to fix and prevent it from happening again. What …

Is your dirt bike smoking out the exhaust and you're wondering if it's normal or safe? Whether you have a 4 stroke or a 2 stroke that seems to be excessively smoking, you're in the right place! Whether it’s smoking black, white or blue, this article will cover all the top reasons why your 2 …

Wondering how to tell if your 4 stroke dirt bike needs an engine rebuild and how much it will cost? Whether it's making weird noises, something feels different, or you just want to know about rebuilding your engine, you're in the right place! In this article, I'll show you: What to do if your 4 …

Dirt bike won't idle without throttle after you got it started? Whether you have a 2 stroke or 4 stroke dirt bike that won't stay running, you're in the right place! In this article, I'll show you every common problem that causes a dirt bike or motorcycle to not idle, how to fix it, as …

Is your dirt bike running rough but you can't tell whether it's running rich or lean? Jetting is important, and it can cause engine damage sooner if it's too far off.  This article will explain the difference between rich and lean, as well as how to tell how your dirt bike is running. This works …

Wondering why your 2 stroke dirt bike have a wet spark plug? What does it mean, what caused it, and how do I fix it? In this article I'll show you what it means, what causes it, and how to fix the real problem instead of putting a "band-aid" fix on it. What Is A …

Trying to figure out why your Honda CRF230 won’t start? There could be many different issues causing it, but they all come back to the same basic principles. In this article I’ll show you what your CRF230 needs in order to start when hot or cold, the most common reasons why it won’t start, and …

Looking for the most common TTR 230 problems or just need to fix an issue on the dirt bike you already have? In this article, I’ll show you the most common problems this Yamaha TTR dirt bike has, what causes it, and how to fix it. Any major common issues on the TTR 230? The …

Wondering what the most common TTR 125 problems are or just need to quickly fix your bike? Whether you're looking to buy this Yamaha dirt bike or need help getting yours running again, you're in the right place! In this article I'll show you the most probable issues that show up on the Yamaha TTR125 …

Need to know how to set the idle on your dirt bike? Whether you have a 2 stroke or 4 stroke, you’re in the right place! In this article I’ll show you what affects the idle speed, where to adjust it, how to easily adjust it, and practical tips for making your dirt bike last …

Has coolant recently started coming out the overflow tube on your dirt bike? Do you have to refill the radiator with fluid after every ride? Whether it just started happening or it's a regular problem, you're in the right place! In this article, I'll cover the most common problems that cause coolant to come out …

Need to know how to adjust the float height on your dirt bike carb? Whether you have a dirt bike that’s running poorly or you simply want the best performance, this article is for you! I’m going to show you what the float is and does in your dirt bike, whether it’s a 2 stroke …

Need to know how to adjust the needle on a dirt bike carburetor, or just want to know what it does? In this article I'll show you what the needle does, why it's important to get it properly adjusted, and how to easily do it so your dirt bike runs better.  What does the needle …

Need to know how to adjust the main jet on a dirt bike carb? Whether you’re trying to fix a jetting issue or you want more power, you’re in the right place! In this article, I’ll show you what the main jet does, why it’s important to get it properly tuned, and then how to …

Need to know how to adjust the pilot jet on a dirt bike carb, but are intimidated by this task? Jetting a carburetor is often seen as "mysterious", but I'm going to make it simple for you.  In this article I'm going to show you what the pilot jet does, why it's so important to …

Need to adjust the fuel screw on a 4 stroke dirt bike or just need to know if it will help your bike? In this article I’ll show you what the fuel mixture screw does, why you need to get it properly adjusted, and then how to easily do that. How do you adjust a …

Wondering if you're capable of changing your 4 stroke dirt bike jetting without messing it up? I'm here to show you that the "black art" of jetting is not as mysterious as you think.  In this article I'll break down why jetting is so important to your 4 stroke dirt bike, what jet circuits there …

Has your dirt bike been flooded? What does that even mean? This article explains what it means, how to tell if your dirt bike is flooded, what the most common causes are, and how to fix it.  What Is A Flooded Dirt Bike? A flooded dirt bike refers to the engine having filled up with …

Wondering if your 2 stroke dirt bike has a bad bottom-end? This article will help you figure that out, how to inspect it, as well as how to help prevent it from happening sooner.  2 stroke bottom end noise Do you hear a whining or a grinding noise in your engine while riding? There's a …

Is your 4 stroke dirt bike burning oil? Are you tired of having to add oil every ride? Worried there might be more problems? This article will cover everything you need to know about a dirt bike burning oil, whether it’s a major problem, and how to fix it. Do Dirt Bikes Burn Oil? All …

Just find milky grey looking oil in your dirt bike? It's not normal, so you need to get it fixed as soon as possible.  In this article I'll show you what milky oil in your 2 stroke or 4 stroke means, the most common causes, and how to fix it.  What Is Milky Oil? Milky …

Sometimes a dirt bike of mine will only run when the choke is on. What does this mean? I'll show you the most common causes and how to fix it.  How The Choke Works A choke is a mechanical device in the carburetor that richens the air-fuel mixture. It either limits the amount of air …

Is your dirt bike clutch slipping? How do you know when it's slipping?  If you think you might have clutch problems, then this article is for you. We'll look at the symptoms of a slipping clutch, what causes it to slip, and how to fix it.  How To Tell If My Dirt Bike Clutch Is …

It's happened already. You found that spot of oil on the ground, and it came from your dirt bike. What does that mean?  A dirt bike leaking oil can come from many different areas. Some are problematic, but some are of little consequence. First, you have to find out where the leak is coming from. …

Are you sick and tired of chasing around trying to solve a problem when your dirt bike isn't properly working? It's so easy to waste hours or days troubleshooting a bike issue when it could be something so simple. I'm speaking from experience after owning dozens of used and abused dirt bikes over the years.  …