Top 5 Hunting Electric Bike Problems [And What to Do About Them]

You could sit around dreaming of a maintenance-free world. You could think about how nice it would be if vehicles didn't break down and even build a cushy little bubble where maintenance isn't a part of things.

If something breaks, just replace it. 

Or, you can accept that things will break from time to time. Considering you're the type of person who enjoys pulling yourself by your boot-straps, rolling up your sleeves, and getting to work, we know you're more accustomed to option two. 

The simple fact is that your hunting eBike is going to experience failure at one point or another. However, unless you have the money to replace it or the time to send it off to the repair shop, there are some things you can easily do yourself.

That's why we want to take a minute to talk you through some of the most common problems and what to do when you encounter them. 

Thankfully, eBikes are pretty simple, so you'll be ready to roll with the punches in no time. 

Following are the top five electric hunting bike problems:

1. Motor noise 

Motor noise is about the worst of the issues you're bound to encounter.

As you're riding along, you may hear a whirring noise whenever the motor is engaged. Just like on your hunting rig, this is a sine of worn-out bearings. 

Bearings are almost a sacrificial part. While they do feature rolling elements to reduce friction, they will still wear down over time. 

On an eBike that doesn't see adverse conditions, the bearings that could last the lifetime of a motor, mountain, and hunting eBikes are often a different story. Some bearings give up after just around a thousand miles or so. 

There's no need to panic about worn-out bearings, and you can likely have them replaced through the warranty. If the warranty is out, you can opt to replace them yourself to save money. 

You just need to make sure you follow the exact procedure as laid out by the manufacturer.

2. Water in the System

The next most serious issue you can run into is water in the system, including your eBike's battery. 

Some models may warn you if there's water in the battery or other electrical components, and you should act accordingly if you see them. Others don't.

eBikes are tough pieces of gear, but they aren't invincible, and they certainly aren't intended to be submerged in water. 

Getting water inside can be highly dangerous to the electrical components, and you want to keep it out. 

If the bike is submerged in water or known water is inside key components, you will want to remove the battery and store the eBike in a dry area with low humidity for a day or so to allow the moisture to evaporate. 

If you still get any warnings, you may need to use the warranty or replace damaged components.

3. Lack of Power   

What if your eBike checks out and there are no obvious issues, but when you go to start moving, there's no power? 

The motor is trying to provide motion, but it just doesn't have enough oomph. Well, it could have something to do with the speed sensor. 

The speed sensor lets the system know how fast the eBike is going, necessary for motor input.

Without this information, the motor won't know if power is necessary, and power levels can be all off. A tell-tale sign that it is the issue is a lack of speed readings on your display. 

If you are experiencing this issue, you should first make sure there is no debris on the spoke magnet to throw off the reading. 

Next, make sure the spoke magnet is in the correct position and that the spoke is not loose. 

If you're still experiencing issues, locate the wiring and see that it's not damaged or disconnected. Unfortunately, it is common for rough terrain to wreak havoc on this component.

4. Dead battery after charge 

Nothing will stop you in your tracks faster than a dead battery. It is the life force of your eBike, after all. 

It's not something that'll exactly send you into a panic, especially not if you have a spare fully charged and ready to go. 

If your battery is dead after it's been on the charger all night, there are a few things you need to inspect. 

First and foremost, make sure the charger is plugged in and working. If the charger checks out, it's important to think about the area the battery is sitting in while it charges. 

It's not likely to be subjected to extreme heat, which impacts charging, but you might have made the mistake of keeping it somewhere cold. 

If that's true, relocate it to an area where climate conditions are more acceptable and charge again. If the issue persists, it may be time to replace the battery.

5. Dead display

The last issue we will look at is probably the least concerning, which is a dead display. 

This won't keep you from taking the eBike hunting as you normally would. It just means you can't monitor what's going on. You should still get it squared away ASAP because there's a lot of important data you need to keep in mind. 

The solution might be as simple as a loose connection. Some displays use their flat battery, though, and you will need to replace it if it's dead.

If neither of these issues is present, you will want to visit a professional shop that can perform the necessary repair or put your warranty to work. 

Now for the bad news. These are just some of the most common issues across all eBikes. They don't consider that your particular model may have a few quirks that are worth being aware of. 

Some bikes might have issues with handlebars coming loose, others with chains popping off. It all depends on what you have to work with. 

The point is to do the homework, find out what issues others commonly run into, and learn how to deal with them accordingly. That might sound like a lot of homework, but eBikes are nearly as simple as any other bicycle.

They don't rival the complexities of other systems you've already mastered, and you should have no trouble keeping yours in check.