It can get pretty annoying if the engine bogs down at full throttle right before powerband. In this guide, we’ll let you know why it’s happening and what you can do to fix your dirt bike bogging at full throttle.
There are multiple reasons why your dirt bike bogs down on acceleration, and it could be a combination of issues, but look out for these things:
- Using The Wrong Gas Mix
- Dirty Carburetor
- Clogged Air Filter
- Corroded or Loose Spark Plug
Table of Contents
Reasons Why Your Dirt Bike Is Bogging on Acceleration and Fixes
Bogging is common in most dirt bikes or motorcycles in general. And there’s a way for you to get around the issue and fix it yourself – if you have the time and tools!
Read on to learn how you can troubleshoot your dirt bike and know how to fix the specific issue to stop it from bogging.
1. Using The Wrong Gas Mix
Implementing a correct gas-to-oil mix is crucial to prevent your dirt bike from experiencing performance issues, especially when it comes to 2-stroke dirt bikes.
If you notice that your 2 stroke bike is bogging at full throttle, the gas-to-oil mix ratio could be the main culprit.
Various other mixture combinations exist, but 40:1 is the general ratio regardless of the age of your dirt bikes. Refer to this chart to make sure that you’re using the correct amount of gas mix for your 2-stroke dirt bike:
| Mixing Ratio (Gas: Oil) | Gasoline Volume | 2-cycle Oil Volume | Recommended for |
| 32:1 | 128 oz (3785 ml) | 4 oz (31.25 ml) | Vehicles prior 2003 |
| 40:1 | 128 oz (3785 ml) | 3.2 oz (25 ml) | All vehicle types |
| 50:1 | 128 oz (3785 ml) | 2.6 oz (20 ml) |
Dirt bikes with 4 cycle or 4 stroke engines do not require fuel mixing, unlike 2 stroke dirt bikes.
If you’re unsure whether your dirt bike has a 2 stroke or a 4 stroke engine, look for stickers or the oil fill cap for any information about the bike. It simply says “4 cycle”, “2 cycle”, or “No Fuel Mixing”.
2. Dirty Carburetor
Take a look at your carburetors. If they’re dirty or in bad condition, it could be the main reason your motorcycle is bogging on acceleration. And it can go really bad for you, leading to further complications like overheating and backfiring.
By regularly cleaning the carburetor with the right tools and mechanics, you’ll be able to prevent your dirt bike from bogging down.
To clean your carburetor, you will need the following tools:
- Bolt extractor
- Philips screwdriver
- Carb cleaner (spray)
- Jet cleaner
- Brush
Here’s a 7-step guide to cleaning your dirt bike’s carburetor:
1. Remove the plastic shroud covering the carburetor. To do this, you’ll need an extractor that’ll fit the size of the bolts holding the plastic shroud.
2. Now, you’ll see the carburetor. Release it from the pipes connected to it (the air filter and manifold intake) using a Philips screwdriver. Important note: you’re not supposed to remove the whole carburetor apart from the dirt bike.
3. Next, remove the carburetor gasket (using a Philips screwdriver), which should be on the south end of the carburetor. It should pop off and reveal the floats.
4. Disassemble the floats to reveal the main and pilot jet, which should look like a needle poking out. These jets are usually clogged, so clean them using a carb cleaner spray.
5. Use protective gear for the eyes. Make sure to blow off the center hole of each jet as you clean them. Use a jet cleaner with tiny wires that can fit through the hole to unclog the jets.
6. If they’re still clogged, spray once more until you see the light through the hole. Clean up the carburetor gasket using the same carb cleaner spray and a brush.
7. Before you assemble everything back, spray the whole carburetor with a carb cleaner spray to ensure everything is dirt-free.
But if your carburetor bogs down when accelerating even after you’ve cleaned it properly, you may want to replace it.
3. Clogged Air Filter
When was the last time you checked the air filter? Having clogged air filters is fairly common with these types of bikes.
Check your bike’s air filter to see if it’s clogged. If it is, identify if it only needs some cleaning; but if it’s in really bad form, replace the air filter.
You need to do this to allow the motor to get the proper air and fuel ratio to keep it running smoothly.
Other indicators that your dirt bike may be clogged include the following:
- Experiencing difficulty during start-ups
- Engine stalling
- Sluggish response
To clean your dirt bike’s air filter, you will need the following:
- Gloves
- Water
- Bucket/ bowl
- Cleaning solvent
A simple step-by-step guide to clean your air filter:
1. Find the air filter located under your seat. If your bike has a paper air filter, clean it with water and a cleaning solvent. Important note: do not use brushes or any harsh material that can damage your air filter.
2. If your bike has a foam filter, you’ll need to wash it with gloved hands. Fill a bucket with lots of water and the cleaning solvent.
3. Once done, squeeze out excess water and let the filter air dry (paper and foam types). Do not dry it using a laundry dryer, blow dry, heat gun, or anything too harsh.
4. Corroded or Loose Spark Plug
If your dirt bike bogs at full throttle, you should check the condition of your bike’s spark plug. If the spark plug is in bad form, it’s best to replace it, as it can cause the engine to misfire. To check the condition of your spark plug, here’s what you should do:
1. Remove the spark plug.
2. Brush off any dirt or debris around it, but make sure there’s no rust or corrosion.
3. Test the spark plug using a spark plug tester as you turn it with a wrench. If you feel resistance from the spark plug, that’s great. It means it’s working.
If your 2 stroke dirt bike bogs at full throttle even after tightening the spark plug, replace it immediately.
5. Missing accelerator pump
There are a number of reasons why your dirt bike bogs when the throttle is opened quickly. These include poor jetting, the engine isn’t fully warmed up, or the accelerator pump needs to be adjusted.
If your 4-stroke dirt bike is bogging, the carburetor probably misses an accelerator pump. Make sure to check that out.
Tips to Prevent Your Dirt Bike from Bogging Down at Full Throttle
As they say, prevention is better than cure. The same goes for your dirt bike. Here are some preventive measures to keep your dirt bike and motorcycle from bogging down at full throttle.
Clean and maintain the air filter
The air filter is essential to protect your 2 stroke dirt bike from bogging down, especially at high RPMS.
Replace the spark plug when needed.
Do not wait until the spark plug, including its wires and cap, are torn out before you do something about it. You should inspect the spark plug during maintenance and replace once you notice corrosion and oil spills.
Correct riding
First of all, do not leave the choke on after warming up your engine.
Also, it’s fairly common for bikes with fuel injections to have a little delay as the spark plug is fired. Leading the motor’s exhaust to backfire and bog down. So if your dirt bike is powered with fuel injections instead of carburetors, make sure to find the right timing when accelerating.
Fasten The Throttle Cable
The throttle cable is what connects the throttle to the carburetor, and it can lead to bogging if you allow it to become loose. As it wouldn’t be able to control the air that gets into the chamber. This is another case of a mismatched air and fuel ratio.
For this instance, you should check the butterfly valve as you twist the throttle. The valve should be wide open when you twist the throttle all the way through.
If not, tighten the cable nut and adjust until the valve fully opens when you twist the throttle all the way.
Conclusion
The way to unlock a dirt bike’s full potential is by knowing what it takes to prevent it from bogging and taking care of it holistically.
We’ve covered the most important issues with bogging dirt bikes, from carburetor issues, clogged air filters, corroded spark plugs, to the right gas-to-oil ratio.
Now it’s time for you to get started, and don’t forget to follow the tips to prevent your dirt bike bogging at full throttle. To more adventurous rides!
