Motorcycles can catch on fire. It's rare but if you have an emergency, are you just going to stand to the side and let your bike burn? That answer might have been yes if you had to lug an old-fashioned fire extinguisher around. With the Element E50, you can easily carry an extinguisher and help save your motorcycle before the fire gets out of control!

Main Causes of Motorcycle Fires 

1. Fuel Leaks:
Cracked or damaged fuel lines, loose connections and tank issues can leak fuel onto the engine and ignite. 

2. Electrical Issues:
Faulty wiring, short circuits, aged / frayed wires or malfunctioning electrical components can generate sparks or heat which can ultimately ignite.

3. Overheating:
When your engine overheats due to low oil levels, coolant leaks, or blocked cooling systems, they can generate enough heat to result in fire.

4. Exhaust System Issues:
Damaged or poorly fitted exhaust can ignite flammable materials, especially if the motorcycle is carrying cargo.

5. Hot Parts Igniting Flammable Materials:
Loose clothing, bags, or other materials can come into contact with hot engine or exhaust components and trigger flames.

6. Crash or Collision:
Road accidents can, of course, cause fuel tank ruptures or electrical system damage, leading to your bike catching on fire.

What To Do When Your Motorcycle Catches Fire

The first thing to do is get off the highway or road you're on to ensure yours and the safety of other drivers. Once you're out of traffic, you can assess and identify what stage you're looking at:

Incipient Stage Fires

Hand-held extinguishers are designed for incipient stage fires. That is when a fire is starting and there could be smoldering or localized flames. This is when you can use an extinguisher to help combat or extinguish the fire.

With the Element fire extinguisher handy, you can combat A, B, C, & K class fires. All can happen on your vehicle so it's crucial to have an extinguisher rated for ALL the major fire classes like Element. 

Having an extinguisher handy gives you the chance to put out the fire and save your motorcycle. Without one, all you can do is stand aside and wait. Now if the fire starts to spread to other areas, the fire has left the incipient stage and is now in the growth stage. That's when you need to get out of the way and let the fire department do their thing.

Growth Stage Fires

When a fire is in the growth stage, it's time to call the professionals. The fire has gone beyond your ability to control it so be sure to ask for help. It's important to move to a safe place out of the way and wait for first responders to arrive. It is possible your motorcycle can explode so seek a safe place!

Click here to learn more about the 4 stages of fire. 

Why Are Motorcycle Fires A Big Deal?

source: NFPA Vehicle Fires 

Riding a motorcycle is exhilarating, liberating, and simply more dangerous when it comes to life and limb. Deaths related to vehicle fires have been increasing at an alarming rate. Motorcycle riders are more exposed so it's important to be prepared. 

The Best Insurance Is Element E50

Element is 10.75" long, 1.2" in diameter and just 1/2 a pound. It's hard to believe something so small will discharge for at least 50 seconds, that's 5 times longer than a standard 5lb fire bottle.  Advanced fire protection is easily stored in your backpack, saddle bag, cargo net, or even in your pocket.

 

 

Protect your ride with the advanced fire protection of Element.