Motorbike Care And Maintenance Tips


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Every motorbike owner needs to understand that maintenance plays a crucial part when you own one. It’s not just for aesthetic purposes, but proper care and maintenance prolongs your motorbike’s life, thus allowing for it to run smoothly. With that in mind, knowing how to take care of your motorbike properly is essential. Proper maintenance helps you save money, not to mention increases the trading value, just in case you’ve decided to let it go and sell it in the near future. Motorbike care can also help you safe while on the road.

Motorbike Care And Maintenance Tips
Motorbike Care And Maintenance Tips

Your manual is the first and the best resource you can check when taking care of your motorbike. Don’t throw it away – keep it and read the charts. These charts have a maintenance checklist telling you the type of care required when needed. Most of these manuals may also contain (I)inspect, (C)lean, (R)replace, (A)adjust, and (L)lubricate. Care and maintenance may vary depending on your motorbike’s make and model, so always remember to read the fine print.

Other than the information that is readily available from your user manual, listed below are the top 11 tips on how to take care of your motorbike and keep it in pristine condition.

  1. Follow The Motorbike’s Proper Break-In Guidelines Break-in is a crucial part of motorbike maintenance.

You need to follow the manual’s guidelines on breaking-in your motorcycle. This includes the number of miles it needs to run at a certain speed. This process gives your new vehicle time to adjust to its shifts and seal correctly. Always plan to rent a bike when you are visiting a new place. You can choose an option of motorbike rentals near me, to get a list of bike rentals. This will allow you to choose a motorbike from different varieties.

  1. Understand The Different Parts Of Your Bike

For beginners, a motorbike may contain numerous parts and can be overwhelming at first. The reality is, it isn’t. As soon as you understand what the individual pieces are for and how they function, the rest is of motorbike care, and maintenance becomes easier.

  1. Change Your Oil Regularly

Make sure that you should perform an oil change regularly. Depending on your motorcycle manufacturer’s instructions, a change oil may be required for every 3,000 miles. Take note that this still varies on the type of oil being used. The weather may also be a factor. During the summer, your motorbike may consume more oil and consume less during the cold winter months.

  1. Regularly Maintain The Brake Pads

This is one of the most important steps in caring for your motorbike. Your brake pads shouldn’t be thinner than 2mm. If it is, it is time that you change it. Not only does it protect your motorbike from further damage, but this can also save your life. Very important – do not skip this process.

  1. Ensure Your Motorbike’s Engine Runs Smoothly

Lubrication plays an important role when it comes to taking care of your motorcycle. It helps your engine run smoothly. It means that no other parts may be affected when it does, resulting in better, longer, smoother running engines. The parts that need lubrication may vary depending on the motorbike you have, but the swingarm, suspension linkages, steering-head bearings, and wheel bearings are the commonly lubricated parts. You can check your bike’s bearings manually by turning it. It can be done every year. The fork oil also needs to be changed every few years to ensure your engine runs smoothly.

  1. Check Your Tires

This applies to all types of vehicles. Before leaving, especially on long trips, check your tire’s pressure gauge. Also, watch out for cracks, holes, tears, and tread. This also ensures the rider’s safety. The overall condition of your tires may be affected by the ground and weather conditions. If you live in an area where it is often damp, you have to inspect your tires more often. Having a pressure gauge in your toolbox comes in handy. When checking the tire’s pressure, though, make sure that the tires are cool – preferably before using it and not during your ride.

  1. Chain Maintenance

Chain maintenance is another crucial part of motorbike care. This means that the chain should have just the right amount of slack at the right spot. There shouldn’t be too much tension to avoid tension to both your gearbox bearings and wheels. You may also lubricate the chain after your trip or ride. The chain must still be warm when you’re doing it to ensure that the chain absorbs oil while it starts to cool down. During change oil, get a cloth and kerosene and use it to clean your chains.

  1. Spark Plug Inspection

This is often left out, but this is another important part of motorbike maintenance. Make sure that they are clean and aren’t corroded. If you see corrosion, the sparkplug needs to be replaced immediately. You may include checking the spark plug during your preventive maintenance checks. Make sure that the engine is cool for at least two hours when checking the spark plugs. Take it out from its bearing, dust it off, and carefully inspect. If it is orange in color, this means that it doesn’t need replacement. If your sparkplug is white, this means that there’s overheating in your engine. On the other hand, black spark plugs mean that the mixture between the fuel and air is dense. Remember to manually screw the spark plugs – not too loose and not too tight.

  1. Clean Or Replace Air Filters

Air filters should also be part of your general motorbike maintenance. This protects your engine. A dirty air filter increases the chances that grit and dirt can get into your engine – so make sure that it is cleaned before it reaches this phase. If you ride on dusty roads more often, you’ll find the need to clean your air filter more often than those who don’t.

  1. Carefully Inspect The Battery

On a monthly basis, your motorcycle’s battery needs to be checked. This includes checking the charge and terminals. The terminals need to be free from corrosion, and this can be done by cleaning them at least once every month. Aside from cleaning the terminals, make sure that the connections aren’t too tight or too loose. Loose connections prevent the motorbike from starting. Also, keep an eye on leaks. Never exhaust the battery as it affects the battery life overall and its performance.

  1. Valve Adjustment

Make sure that you check the user’s manual for valve adjustment procedures. The steps may vary depending on the make and model of your motorbike.

Motorbike care isn’t difficult. By following the checklist from your user’s manual and considering the tips mentioned above, you can minimize unnecessary repairs and cut down costs from emergency part replacements while ensuring your safety while on the road.


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Paul Osborne