Honda CRF150R Problems – Bike Cons You May Want to Know About

If you want to look tough and cool at the same time on the road, riding on a dirt bike would be an excellent idea. One of the premier dirt bikes in the market is the Honda CRF150R. This model was launched in 2006 and became famous in the racing scene. It can race in the 85cc mod but faces off against many 85cc two-stroke bikes in the Mini Class. or stock category.

The Honda CRF150R was featured during the 2007 model year and became an instant hit among riders and bike enthusiasts. The following year, most of Honda's models during the 2008 season were of the four-strokes class. Before this particular year, most of the Japanese manufacturer's racing bikes were two strokes. The Honda CRF150R comes with a forceful Unicam engine which is liquid-cooled and has four valves.

The Unicam engine of the Honda CRF150R weighs around 43 pounds, which is light considering its power and functionality. The CRF150R is also equipped with an adjustable Showa suspension. Other impressive features of this model include a pair of top-quality Dunlop tires and excellent front and rear disc brakes. Considered a mini-racing bike, the Honda CRF150R has two variants: the Expert and the regular.

Common Problems with the Honda CRF150R

Despite its known reliability and appeal, especially to younger riders like kids, the Honda CRF150R has its share of flaws and issues. Many users complain about some of its spare parts becoming faulty as the bike increase in mileage. As you read on, you will be enlightened on the pros and cons of buying a CRF150R and what you should know about fixing or handling some issues.

1) Hanging idle

You've probably experienced idling high on your engine at least once if you've been driving for a while. As you wait for the green after pulling up to a red light, you notice that your engine is revving rapidly. Engines typically idle between 600 and 800 rpm. For older engines, idling could go up to almost 1200 rpm or higher. The Honda CRF150R is not exempted from this issue, and different reasons are cited.

Even after the engine has sufficiently warmed up, you might have a problem if it continues to rev up while idling. Aside from being notoriously dangerous, high idle speeds waste fuel and put additional strain on your engine. In the case of cars, you could lurch forward if you were to let go of the brake pedal while the engine is revving. When this happens, you're endangering not only yourself but other drivers and pedestrians as well.

If your Honda CRF150R is idling at a high rate, several issues could be to blame. Some are simple to fix on your own, while others call for specialized equipment or knowledge. It will be in your best interests if you solve the issue right away to prevent accidents and future inconveniences.

Whether in a motorbike like the Honda CRF150R or in cars, a faulty fuse is the most common culprit for engines idling high. The idle air control (IAC) motor is most frequently responsible for controlling the engine idle speed in modern vehicles. Wrong plugs in many various electrical components in your vehicle can have an impact on this.

Your Honda CRF150R may stall or idle excessively if the throttle in your bike isn't working properly. This frequently happens because of dirt accumulation in the air intake. A broken intake tube can also be blamed.

Another reason for high engine idling can be a vacuum port leak in the idle air control motor. The fault may originate from the seal or, more frequently, from one of the connected hoses. Be certain to examine your motor temperature gauge because an overheated engine will frequently idle higher than usual.

Changing filters and replacing the fuses and other parts could mostly resolve the problem with engines idling high. However, this is a do-it-yourself fix that doesn't promise 100% efficacy and reliability. Very often, the problem can't be diagnosed in just one seating, and a trained mechanic should be the one checking your bike. In other cases, special equipment is needed to make the repair possible.

2) Starter issues

Determining the main issue when your motorbike won't start is not always easy. If you can't cite the primary issue, fixing it would force you to leave your bike at home if you need to go somewhere or go for a weekend drive. The most common thing regular riders do is to call their mechanic to do the fixing. However, there are steps you can perform by looking at the signs as to why your motorbike won't start.

If you have a CRF150R, issues with your starter are not out of the ordinary. The good news is, there's always a solution to almost every reason behind starter problems. The first troubleshooting step you can do is check if your battery is working. After doing this, you may do other recommended solutions to get your Honda CRF150R back on track.

The most popular way of checking if the battery is working is by turning the key and checking if the lights are coming on. However, this action can be tricky since there are occasions when the battery could be faulty, and the lights, both at the front and on the rear, can still be lit up. Tuning in for a clicking sound when the key is turned is another common way to diagnose if your battery is working or not.

Dim lights are the first evident symptom of a problematic battery. Another signal is when you hear a short crank on the starter, which is preceded by nothing. If you don't see these symptoms, you must get an actual visual of your battery, then examine the voltage before performing a load test on the battery.

Another thing most riders, including the most veteran ones, do is check the gas tank. Sometimes, they might see their gas gauge full and not look at the tank. However, as we all know, gauges can become non-functional at some points.

Engaging the clutch on your Honda CRF150R is a basic skill that experience riders find effortless to do but a major challenge for newbies. However, if the bike won't start despite you doing the right thing, chances are your CRF150R is damaged. At this point, pump the clutch a few times in an attempt to reset the battery.

Electrical connections are other basic components that riders often overlook. Issues with your bike's electricals are often escaping riders' minds because these are invisible. Make examining and maintaining the connector cables of your engine a habit of avoiding loose wires.

3) Carburetor problems

Most Honda CRF150R think that compared to other bikes, this model is a high-maintenance one. This means that if minor issues are not addressed right away, it could lead to worse problems, giving the owner more headaches in the process. Things like keeping the fuel engine and the carburetor clean are essential, especially when you have a tedious bike like the Honda CRF150R.

There are three general issues many motorcycle owners face with their carburetors which are wrong adjustment, a too rich mixture, or a too lean mixture. Despite the simplicity of this device, carburetors can become a primary reason for bigger problems with your Honda CRF150R. Carburetors need to be tuned and serviced regularly, or they will get damaged prematurely.

A carburetor is considered too lean if the ratio of fuel to air is inappropriate, causing the device to deliver too much air. Common symptoms of a too lean mixture include a wobbly acceleration, spark plugs becoming white or light gray, and a backfiring throttle when closed. If the end pipes of your muffler have a light gray or white color and the downpipes of the exhaust header are turning blue, it also means the carb is too lean.

Like in the case of a too-lean carburetor, the fuel and air distribution are not proportionate in a too-rich mixture. This time, too much gasoline is delivered by the carburetor. What happens is the acceleration becomes sluggish, and too much oil is wasted. In a too lean mixture, the spark plugs and muffler end pipes are white or light gray. When the mixture is too rich, these components are black or sooty.

The fuel screws and the carburetor's balance are not set up properly when there are adjustment issues. A poorly adjusted carburetor system leads to overall bad performance for your Honda CRF150R. You may also hear weird clanging noises from your clutch. Your acceleration becomes erratic, and you may often misfire or backfire when riding your bike.

Conclusion

If you're looking for a good mix of performance and sophistication, the Honda CRF150R is a brilliant choice. Like other motorbikes, this model needs constant care and maintenance to avoid facing issues and end up dumping your bike. Addressing the different problems with your bike is not only for your convenience but also for your safety and peace of mind.