How to ensure proper motorcycle maintenance

Whether you are a beginner or a skilled rider, taking care of your bike is one of the most important factors in safe riding. While you may think a motorcycle doesn’t need much care, you should make every effort to keep your bike running smoothly and shining on the road. While you can take it to a bike store for routine maintenance, you should know how to make sure you take care of your motorcycle properly.

Oil Change

Just like your car, motorcycles need oil changes after thousands of miles. The exact frequency depends on your particular bike and the oil you use. However, you can check the owner’s manual for special instructions on changing the oil. Although you can leave it to the professionals, changing your own oil is not too complicated. Follow these steps to properly change your motorcycle’s oil.

1. Ride the bike for a few minutes to warm up the engine. Warm oil is less sticky and easier to drain.

2. Park it upright and turn off the engine. Remove the fill and drain plugs and let the dirty oil drain into the oil pan.

3. Remove the old oil filter and replace it with a new one. Put back the drain plug and use a funnel to pour clean oil to the proper level. Replace the oil filler cap.

Check tire pressure and tread wear

Tires are one of the most important parts of any vehicle and you should take a quick look at them every time you ride. If your tires are worn or under-aired, they can make your entire motorcycle ride unsafe. With this in mind, you should check your tire pressure and inspect the tread regularly. If you are unsure about the safety of your tires, you should always remember that it is much cheaper to buy new tires than to repair your bike after a tire failure.

Keep it clean

Riding on the open road is the best part of owning a motorcycle, but you have to keep it clean to look good on the road. While you should give it a light cleaning after a few trips, you should give your bike a deep clean a few times a year. Knowing how to clean the parts of your motorcycle can help you keep your bike in pristine condition for years to come.

Replace air filter

Air filters keep unwanted debris out of your bike’s engine. In fact, a clogged, dirty air filter can significantly reduce performance levels. Unfortunately, not cleaning or replacing this filter can cause the engine to work harder and slow down your bike. Consider checking your air filter every few months to make sure it’s not causing problems. While you can replace it when it gets dirty, you can clean the current with compressed air.

After learning how to ensure proper maintenance of your motorcycle, you will be able to keep your bike in good condition and extend its life. Just as you should not neglect the basic maintenance of your car, you should also take good care of your bike.

Whether you are a beginner or a skilled rider, taking care of your bike is one of the most important factors in safe riding. While you may think a motorcycle doesn’t need much care, you should make every effort to keep your bike running smoothly and shining on the road. While you can take it…