What the dashboard lights mean
Which lights are normal, which mean take care and which mean stop now — the general rule; match your own bike's symbols in its manual.
This guidance is general — not checked for any one model. Your bike's exact figures and procedures are in its owner's manual or at an authorised service centre.
Safe visual checkDifficulty: Easy
When to do it
- When a light comes on at start-up or while riding
What you need
- Nothing
Step by step
- 1
With the key on, many bikes light most warnings for a few seconds — a bulb check, not a fault. They should go out once the engine runs.
- 2
Look at the colour: green and blue are usually information, yellow/amber means take care and get it checked soon, red means stop as soon as it is safe.
- 3
Find the common lights in the table below, then match them against your manual's list of symbols — symbols and behaviour differ between models.
At a glance
| Light | What it usually means | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Green N | In neutral | Normal |
| Green arrows (flashing) | Indicator on | Cancel after the turn; very fast flashing means a lamp is out |
| Blue headlight symbol | High beam on | Dip it for oncoming traffic |
| Side-stand symbol | Stand is down | Raise the stand before riding |
| Amber fuel pump or tank | Low fuel | Fill up soon |
| Amber engine symbol (MIL / FI) | On fuel-injected bikes, the engine computer has found a fault | If it stays on after starting, have it read at a service centre soon; if it flashes or the engine runs badly, stop riding |
| Amber ABS | ABS may not be working; ordinary braking usually remains | On many bikes it goes out once moving after start-up; if it stays on, get it checked soon |
| Red oil can or drop | Low oil pressure or level | Stop when safe and switch off; check the oil; do not ride with this light on |
| Red thermometer | Engine overheating | Stop and let it cool; never open the radiator cap while hot |
| Red battery | The charging system is not charging | The battery will run down and the bike may stop; go straight to a mechanic |
Warnings
- Symbols and behaviour differ between models — this table is general; your manual is the authority.
- Never silence a warning light by cutting its wire or removing its bulb.
Stop and see a mechanic if
- A red oil, temperature or battery light comes on
- The engine light flashes or the engine runs badly
Sources
- The owner's manual and service booklet: the only reliable source for your bike's figures and procedures.
- The common colour convention for vehicle symbols (green/blue information, amber caution, red danger).
Last reviewed: 2026-10-25