Why Does My Motorcycle Have No Power Even Though The Battery Is Good?

It can be very stressful if your motorcycle loses power while you are driving. Many motorcyclists might assume that power loss is caused by a dead battery. But that is not always true.

So, why do motorcycles have no power, but the battery is good? There are several reasons why this might happen, including the following. 

1. The faulty spark plug 
2. Malfunctioning starter motor 
3. Low fuel level
4. Bad ignition switch 
5. Blown starter relay fuse.

In this article, we will discuss the common reasons why your bike loses power despite having a good battery.So, let’s get started!

Motorcycle Has No Power But Battery Is Good: Common Causes And Solutions

We have discussed the reasons below why your motorcycle has no power even when your battery is in good condition.

1. The spark plug in your motorcycle is in poor condition

In your motorcycle, the spark plug receives electrical impulses from the ignition system. It then releases these electrical impulses through the electrode gap to activate the mixture of air and fuel inside your motorcycle’s engine.

The inner part of the spark plug operates in extremely high temperatures. This exposure to high heat and volatile gasses can often damage the spark plug inside your bike. This could cause the following issues:

• Your bike will use more fuel.
• The engine will vibrate.
• Your motorcycle will lose power.

The power loss occurs because the damaged spark plug produces a weak spark. Thus, incomplete combustion occurs in the combustion chamber. So, your motorcycle’s engine doesn’t receive the power it needs to operate efficiently.

Solution

You should take your motorcycle to a mechanic and get the blistered spark plug replaced with a new one. We recommend using an iridium or silver spark plug on your motorcycle. 

This is because these spark plugs can conduct electricity better than nickel or platinum spark plugs. 

2. Malfunctioning starter motor 

When you turn the ignition key, electricity flows through the solenoid coil in the starter. This allows a high current to reach the starter motor. Afterward, the motor transforms this electrical current into the mechanical energy required to start your motorcycle.

However, a malfunctioning starter motor can’t effectively convert the electrical energy into mechanical force. So, your motorcycle won’t have enough power even though the battery is working properly. 

Look at the diagram we have provided here. It shows that most starter motors malfunction mainly due to the following reasons:

• Improper mounting of the motor.
• Short circuits in the motor.
• Lack of maintenance.

Solution

It can be a complex task to determine the exact issue with your motorcycle’s starter motor. Thus, you should not try to fix it yourself.

Take your motorcycle to a good mechanic. The mechanic can help you identify the exact problem with the starter motor and repair it for you.

But, if the starter motor has sustained extreme damage, the mechanic may have to install a new one. You might need to pay the mechanic $120-$200 to replace the motor.

3. Your motorcycle doesn’t have enough fuel in its fuel reservoir

When you drive your motorcycle, the fuel pump delivers the fuel to your motorcycle’s engine. However, your motorcycle might run out of fuel rapidly if there is a malfunction in its fuel system. 

As a result, the motorcycle won’t be able to generate the power it needs to run normally. So, even though your battery is in good condition, your motorcycle will experience a lack of power.

Solution

Take a look at the picture we have provided above. In this picture, you can see a fuel gauge meter that tells you how much fuel is in your motorcycle. If your motorcycle has a low fuel level, you should add more fuel to the fuel tank. 

However, if you notice your motorcycle is consuming more fuel than usual, you should get it checked by a mechanic. 

Ask the mechanic to check your bike’s fuel lines, fuel pump, and fuel filter for cracks and contamination. If any of these parts appear damaged, the mechanic may need to replace them.

4. The ignition switch in your motorcycle isn’t working

Normally, current from your bike’s battery flows to the ignition switch through a red wire. When you press the ignition switch, it connects the circuit and sends an electric signal to the starter motor through the black wire.

Figure: Setup of the battery, starter motor, and the ignition switch:

The starter motor then converts this electrical energy into mechanical force. This mechanical force is used to turn the engine’s crankshaft and start your motorcycle.

However, a faulty ignition switch will not be able to transfer the electrical current to the starter motor through the high-current circuit. Thus, the motor won’t be able to crank your bike’s engine, and your motorcycle will experience a power loss.

For more information on how an ignition switch works in your motorcycle, you can watch this YouTube video.

Solution

You should check the wires connected to your motorcycle’s ignition switch for cracks or disconnection. 

• If the wire is damaged, you should remove the faulty wire. 
• Afterward, take a new piece of wire and attach it to the switch with tape.
• If the switch is not working properly, you should contact a mechanic and have them replace the ignition switch with a new switch.

To learn how to replace a broken ignition switch, you should watch this YouTube video.

5. The fuse in your bike’s starter relay might be blown

Many motorcycle riders have observed that if the 30-amp fuse in the starter relay blows, their bike loses power.

This happens because the blown fuse in the starter relay creates a gap in the circuit connecting the starting system. Thus, the current cannot flow towards the starter motor. As a result, the motor cannot provide power to your motorcycle’s engine.

Solution

If you have a blown starter relay fuse, the simple solution is to replace the fuse. Below, we have listed the steps you can follow to replace this fuse in your motorcycle.

• Step 1: Take off your motorcycle’s seat cover.
• Step 2: Try to locate the starter relay under the seat on the passenger side of your motorcycle.
• Step 3: Then remove the black rubber covering on your bike’s starter relay.
• Step 4: Apply pressure with your hands to take out the starter relay from its mounting position.
• Step 5: Now, grab the two clips attached to the plug and pull the plug out from the relay. Check out this picture for a better understanding. 

• Step 6: Afterward, gently remove the blown fuse from the starter relay.
• Step 7: Insert a new 30-ampere fuse in place of the old one.
• Step 8: Plug the starter relay back into its original position.
• Step 9: Put the case of your motorcycle’s seat back in its original position.

FAQs

For additional information on why your bike loses power even after having a good battery, you can read these FAQs.

Final Words

There are several reasons why your motorcycle is losing power, even though the battery in your motorcycle is working correctly.

This situation will occur if your motorcycle has a blown starter relay fuse or if it doesn’t have a sufficient amount of fuel. Furthermore, a damaged spark plug, starter motor, and ignition switch might cause your bike to lose power.

If you suspect that one of these components in your motorcycle is damaged, you should take your motorcycle to a mechanic and get it checked.