9 Tips to Keep Your Motorcycle in Great Condition
Having a motorcycle in great condition is important for many reasons, the main being that it looks fantastic at bike shows and is guaranteed to catch people’s eyes. Another, probably more important reason, is that it will run better and smoother, improve your fuel efficiency, and you will not need to replace parts due to wear and tear as frequently.
Keep it clean
Keeping your motorcycle clean is self-explanatory as to why it would keep your motorcycle in great condition; dirty motorcycles are more likely to rust and corrode, and dirt can create blockages and completely ruin paintwork if not removed.
Over time, this can mean forking out extra cash to replace and repair parts earlier than expected, such as leaking fork seals and rusted chains.
Therefore, it’s important to give your motorcycle a regular bath with the best products on the market.
Chain and sprocket maintenance
The chain and sprockets are some of the most important parts of a motorcycle; the chain connects the engine to the rear wheel via front and rear sprockets and powers the motorcycle; with no chain, you are going nowhere.
Chain maintenance is very important. This means keeping the chain oiled and at the right tension to reduce wear and tear, extend its life, and lower the chance of it breaking or jumping off the sprocket.
Additionally, sprockets are important to maintain. A sprocket that is worn down may cause the chain to become looser as it can move around more freely, which increases the risk of the chain jumping off the sprocket and locking up your rear tyre.
Check your tyres
Tyres must exceed the minimum wear of 1.6mm to be legally used on roads in the United Kingdom. It’s generally good practice to check your tyre pressures weekly and to generally keep an eye on your tyres for punctures or sharp objects they may have collected as you are riding around.
Uninflated tyres can cause a number of issues, including wobbling at higher speeds.
Do regular oil changes
Do you want your engine to run at peak performance for as long as possible? Of course, you do. That’s why it’s important to stay on top of your oil and change it frequently. You can expect to change the oil in your engine every 2500 – 5000 miles, and if you’re unsure about how your oil is performing, you can check your oil using the oil window or by using a motorcycle-specific oil dipstick.
If your oil is dark or milky in colour, it is a sign that you either need to change it or that there is a problem with coolant getting into your oil. Your oil should be clear and have a yellowish-green colour.
When changing your oil, ensure you change the oil filter at the same time.
Keep your brake pads and discs in good condition
Brake pads and discs that have become worn can be a major contributor to accidents; they can also increase the amount of time it takes to come to a complete stop.
Neglecting to replace these components can put your life and the lives of others in danger. It is of the utmost significance to care for them and to perform routine checks on them. The discs shouldn’t have any cracks, glazing, or scoring on them, and the pads ought to have more than 2 millimetres worth of wear overall.
Replace and clean the air filter
Even motorcycles have a need to breathe every now and then. The air filter performs the function of shielding the engine from debris and dust particles. Because dust and dirt can build up in the air filter and its housing over time, it needs to be cleaned out every 5000 miles.
Keeping the air filters in good condition and replacing them when necessary will make the motorcycle much easier to ride and start.
Take care of the battery to improve its lifespan
Batteries are an incredibly important part of the motorcycle; they power all the gizmos and gadgets your motorcycle contains, from the headlights to the ECU and the starter motor. Have you ever been unlucky enough to encounter a flat battery and had to bump start your motorcycle? It’s not too much fun.
Batteries must usually be changed every 2-3 years, and to extend this life span or even reach it, it’s a great idea to fully charge your battery every few months, increasing this in the wintertime when colder weather affects the chemical processes within the battery, reducing its ability to hold a charge.
Check your coolant levels
Most motorcycles require coolant. If you have an air-cooled motorcycle, you can disregard this step completely; however, if you have a radiator, then listen up.
Your coolant needs to be replaced every two years; this could be more or less dependent on your mileage, but two years is a general rule of thumb. Consult your owner’s manual for the recommended coolant for your motorcycle.
Keep an eye on your bike
This may sound silly, but take care of your motorcycle, and if there are any strange noises, it begins to handle in a different way, or you notice things that are extraordinary, do not ignore these signs. As soon as you start to notice that something may be wrong, take it to a local mechanic, or try to fix the issue yourself, provided you have the know-how.