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It's almost as if revving the throttle at a stoplight
has become a deeply embedded reflex
constantly adjust the fuel-air the throttle at a stoplight isn't just a
mixture, even during idle. EFI habit—it's a way to ensure
systems have largely eliminated everything is in order before they
the need for manual intervention take off. Much like a driver starting
to prevent stalling at stoplights. a car and checking their mirrors or
The days of carburetor-induced engine lights, motorcyclists might
stalls are mostly behind us, and blip the throttle to reassure
yet, many riders continue the habit themselves that their engine is
of revving at idle. running smoothly.
The Mechanical Origins:
Carburetors vs. Fuel Injection Habit: Muscle Memory from When riders have just had their
Carburetors to EFI motorcycles serviced, or when
To understand why motorcyclists they are about to embark on a ride
rev their engines, we first need to If modern motorcycles with fuel after an extended break, a quick
delve into the basics of motorcycle injection don't technically need a throttle blip can provide a
engine technology—specifically, throttle blip to keep things running reassuring sense of control. It
t h e d i ff e r e n c e b e t w e e n smoothly, why do so many riders gives them a chance to feel the
carburetors and fuel injection still engage in this behavior? The bike's vibrations and hear the
systems. Both systems are answer, in large part, comes down familiar sound of the engine,
responsible for mixing air and fuel to habit and muscle memory. For allowing them to get reacquainted
before sending the mixture into the decades, motorcyclists were with the feel of the bike. This is
engine for combustion. But they accustomed to carbureted particularly true after maintenance
function quite differently. engines, where throttle blipping or repairs, when the engine might
served a mechanical function.
Historically, carbureted engines This ingrained behavior doesn't have a slightly different feel or
were the standard on motorcycles, just disappear overnight, even sound than before. The revving
especially before the advent of when the technology changes. acts as a tactile reminder that the
modern fuel injection systems. A bike is ready to go and everything
carburetor works by drawing air It's almost as if revving the throttle is functioning as it should.
through a venturi (a constricted at a stoplight has become a deeply For new riders, the behavior can
area within the carburetor), embedded reflex, an automatic also be a way to test their bike's
causing it to speed up and create a gesture that requires no conscious responsiveness. Giving the
vacuum that pulls fuel into the air thought. Even riders of modern throttle a quick twist at a stoplight
stream. The rider adjusts the motorcycles equipped with fuel- can help them gauge how the
throttle to control the amount of air injection systems often find engine is running after an oil
and fuel entering the engine. themselves blipping the throttle
out of sheer habit. For some, it's as change, tune-up, or other service.
However, carburetors can have second-nature as checking the T h i s s e r v e s a s a w a y o f
some issues, particularly during mirrors before pulling out onto the maintaining a sense of control and
deceleration or when idling. When road. ensuring that the bike is running at
a rider takes their hand off the its optimal performance level.
throttle at a stoplight, the air/fuel This muscle memory is especially The Dopamine Factor: The
mixture can become imbalanced, prevalent among new riders who Thrill of Sound and Power
leading to a potential stalling of the may have learned to ride on older,
engine. This is especially true carbureted bikes, or who grew up While habit and mechanical
when a bike is cold or has not watching others rev their engines. reassurance certainly play a role,
warmed up properly. To avoid Despite knowing that their EFI there's no denying that part of the
stalling, motorcyclists would often motorcycle doesn't need this reason motorcyclists rev their
"blip" or briefly rev the throttle to intervention, they instinctively engines is simply because it feels
maintain the engine's RPM continue the action. It's an good. The sound of an engine
(revolutions per minute). This act automatic part of the riding roaring to life can be exhilarating,
kept the engine running smoothly experience that they may not even even addictive. For many riders,
by ensuring that the fuel and air think about. The rhythmic blip of the revving of the throttle is a way
mixture stayed in balance. the throttle becomes, in many to indulge in the sensory
w a y s , t h e r i d e r ' s w a y o f experience of riding. The sound of
B u t w h a t a b o u t m o d e r n connecting with the bike. the exhaust, the vibration of the
motorcycles? Today, most engine, and the rush of power
motorcycles use electronic fuel R e a s s u r a n c e a n d t h e beneath them all combine to
i n j e c t i o n ( E F I ) , a m o r e Connection Between Rider and create a thrilling experience.
sophisticated system that uses Machine
sensors and a computer to For some motorcyclists, revving
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LHR Motorcycle Magazine Issue 09 January 2025
