Owning a motorcycle is more than just a mode of transportation; it's a lifestyle. Whether you're a seasoned rider or a beginner, one thing remains constant: proper maintenance. It is key to keeping your bike running smoothly and safely. For beginners, the idea of motorcycle maintenance always seems a bit daunting! Here is the ultimate guide to give you tips on essential maintenance aspects for enjoyable and worry-free rides. More importantly, maintenance of bikes along with riding gear and riding accessories leads to safety.
What are the things that you need to do to maintain your motorcycle? Let’s find out.
1.Get to Know Your Motorcycle:
Before diving into maintenance tasks, the first step is to take the time to familiarise yourself with your bike and its parts. Understand its components, from engine and tyres to the brakes and their functions. This is especially true for tyres. Understanding your bike tires is crucial for safety, performance, and efficiency. Proper knowledge helps you choose the right tyres for specific conditions, ensure optimal pressure for better grip and handling, and extend lifespan through regular maintenance. It also significantly reduces the risk of accidents. Refer to your owner's manual for detailed information about your bike's specific maintenance requirements and schedule. The dealers are also a great resource to know more about the nitty gritty of your bike. They can be helpful in identifying the best tyre for bikes, off road bike tyres and tubeless tyres, should you have any questions regarding them.
2. Conduct Regular Inspections:
Once you have bought your bike, make it a habit to inspect your motorcycle regularly. Keep a calendar on when you want to get a full check done. This will be good to foresee any signs of wear and tear, leaks, or loose bolts that can lead to discomfort or accidents. Pay attention to the tyres, brakes, lights, and fluid levels. Catching potential issues early can prevent costly repairs down the road and ensure your safety while riding. This is true for accessories as well. Just like your bike, do a thorough check of your riding gloves, rider helmet, side bag for bikes and bike riding shoes. These are likely to get worn or dated if you use the motorcycle regularly.
3.Keep Your Tyres in Good Condition:
Your tyres are crucial for maintaining traction and stability on the road. Check the pressure regularly and inflate them to the recommended levels. Inspect the tread depth and look for any signs of damage or uneven wear. To inspect tyre tread, use a tread depth gauge or check the wear indicators. Examine for uneven wear, cuts, and foreign objects embedded in the tread. Replace tyres when necessary to avoid compromising your safety. You can have a look at www.reisemoto.com to see what kind of tyres are best suitable for your bike and rides. Reisemoto has several tyres that are specially made for a particular need. Choose from Reise tourR, Reise torqR, Reise trailR and Reise traceR for different needs. Once you are familiar with these, you will be able to choose your best tyre for the bike.
4.Maintain Proper Chain Tension and Lubrication:
The chain is an essential part of your motorcycle's drivetrain. Keep it properly tensioned and lubricated to prevent premature wear and tear. Use a quality chain lubricant and adjust the tension according to the motorcycle’s manual. Clean the chain regularly to remove dirt and debris that can cause damage.
5.Change the Oil and Filter:
Regular oil changes are vital for keeping your engine running smoothly and prolonging its lifespan. Refer to the owner's manual for the recommended oil change intervals and type of oil to use. Don't forget to replace the oil filter with every oil change to ensure proper filtration and engine protection.
6.Check and Maintain Fluid Levels:
In addition to engine oil, your motorcycle has other vital fluids that require regular inspection and maintenance, these include coolant, brake fluid and hydraulic clutch fluid. Ensure that these fluids are topped up to the correct levels and free from contamination. Replace them as needed according to your manufacturer's recommendations.
7.Inspect the Brakes and Cables:
Brakes: Your brakes are your first line of defence against accidents, so it's crucial to keep them in optimal condition. Check the brake pads, discs, drum, and liners, for wear regularly. Replace the parts if they are worn down or if they show signs of damage or warping. Bleed the brake system periodically to remove air bubbles and maintain braking performance.
Cables: Checking the cables is as crucial as checking the brakes. Verify that the cables are not only lubricated properly for smooth operation but are tightened to their defined torque.
Suspension setup and maintenance: Firstly, check for any leaks, damage, or wear that comes by age. After that, tune the suspension to your preferences, riding conditions, and comfort.
8.Keep the Electrical System in Check:
Electrical issues can leave you stranded on the side of the road, so it's essential to keep your bike's electrical system in good working order. Check the battery regularly for corrosion and ensure appropriate torque of connections. Inspect the lights, horn indicators, and warning lights to make sure they are functioning correctly. Replace any faulty bulbs or fuses promptly.
Periodical storage of motorcycle: In case you are parking motorcycle for weeks or months unridden, please ensure that you either fill the fuel tank and add a fuel stabilizer or keep it dry and store the motorcycle in a dry, covered area. Covering it with an appropriate cover smooth on the inside and rough on the outside helps in protecting it from dust and moisture.
9.Clean and Protect Your Motorcycle:
While your motorcycle may look like mad, the paint job and materials used are still delicate! Hence, cleaning it regularly not only keeps your bike looking great but also helps prevent corrosion and rust too. Use water along with recommended motorcycle shampoo for exterior and avoid using high-pressure directly on motorcycle parts, since it can force water into sensitive components, fixtures or even start to peel off the lacquer. Apply a coat of wax or sealant to add a layer of lustre and to maintain its shine and durability.
Note: Never use detergent, car shampoo, or even your own body wash to wash your motorcycle.
Important! Do not wash your ICE’d motorcycle right after a ride since they rise to a significant amount of heat, hence, let the metal parts cool down enough to come down from working temperature to ambient temperatures, then wash your motorcycle to get rid of grease and grime. But there’s one place where you want the grease to remain, your chain. Hence, re-lube your entire chain after you’ve washed and dried off your motorcycle.
10.Gear Check:
With all the concentration on the bike and best motorbike tyres, you are bound to leave out the accessories and not pay too much attention to them. But you should be paying attention to bike riding jackets, appropriate motorcycle riding attire, riding gloves; choose top helmet brands and exclusive bags for bike riders. These are all available on www.reisemoto.com. The best brands from around the world are exclusively available here to choose from.
Proper maintenance is the key to enjoying your motorcycle to the fullest while ensuring your safety on the road as well. By following the tips outlined in this ultimate guide, beginners can keep their bikes in top condition and avoid common pitfalls. Mainly, if you cannot perform certain maintenance tasks yourself, don't hesitate to take it to an authorised service center or a professional mechanic. Remember, regular inspections and preventative maintenance go a long way in preserving the performance and longevity of your motorcycle. So gear up, hit the road and enjoy the ride!
-Team Reise Moto
