For motorcycle riders, warmer weather means it’s time to go for a ride. If your motorcycle has been kept indoors in a garage for the whole winter, there are a few things you need to do to get it ready for the road. Making sure you don’t miss any tasks in motorbike maintenance might be facilitated by using a checklist.
Do motorcycles need a lot of maintenance?
Although motorbike riding is an amazing experience, what about maintenance? If you’ve been considering buying a motorbike, you’ll be happy with the reaction. Compared to autos, motorcycle preventive maintenance is usually far easier. Motorcycles are easier to repair since they are smaller and have fewer easily accessible parts. The chain is one area that needs maintenance on many motorbikes but not on vehicles. Additionally, motorbikes usually require less maintenance than other vehicles.
Checklist for maintaining a motorcycle:
1. Start with fresh fuel
The first thing to do is change the gasoline if your motorbike was left indoors throughout the winter. Too much time spent in the tank causes gasoline to get stale. After emptying the tank of any leftover gas using a siphon pump, refuel it.
2. Change the oil
Before you go for your first ride on your bike, you need to change the oil and replace the oil filter, just like you require clean fuel. Your motorcycle’s durability and performance may suffer if you skip this step.
3. Verify the battery’s life
Every month or two, several motorbike riders reconnect their batteries after disconnecting them for the winter. You can probably get going when you reattach the battery. But if it has been left unused during the winter, you may have a dead battery on your hands. It is okay to charge a relatively new battery. If it’s three or four years old, you can discover that it doesn’t hold a charge or that charging it is difficult. In that scenario, it’s generally best to get a fresh battery and take precautions.
4. Examine your tires
Since tires are among the most crucial components of any motorbike, you should give them considerable thought. Make sure their air pressure is at a safe level before you ride. To ensure your tread still has the depth to provide you with appropriate traction, you should also examine it. Before continuing, just check your tires for any rot or fractures in the sidewall if your tread and air pressure are both correct.
5. Inspect your chain
The chain on your bike is one of its most important parts, yet it can degrade or come loose from repeated exposure to the environment. Make sure everything is still snug and lubricated by checking it. It could be necessary to reapply lube and clean the chain.
6. Get plenty of fluids
Your motorbike needs more fluids than just petrol and oil. While coolant and brake fluid are essential for maintaining a motorcycle, they can occasionally leak if your bike is kept outside for an extended amount of time. Verify your levels again and add more or top them off. Alternatively, replace the old fluids with new ones after flushing them out.
7. Remember to bring your cables
Over time, the oil and lubricant in your cable housing may dry out, which may have an impact on how well your clutch and throttle operate. Check to make sure the wires on your clutch, brakes, throttle, choke, and any other devices are still responsive and not frayed.
8. Shine up your bike
Make sure you give your motorcycle a thorough washing as a last step. Cleaning your bike regularly not only preserves the paint and improves its appearance, but it also maintains it in excellent operating order.
When must my motorbike be serviced?
You want your bike to always be prepared for riding! Thus, how frequently should your motorbike be serviced? Every six months or 4,000 miles, you should replace your oil and inspect your chain.
Checking the pressure in your tires should be done more often at least once a month. Long-term maintenance will need you to purge your cooling system (if your engine is water-cooled) and adjust your carburetor roughly every two years. Much of this maintenance may be done more affordably by you, but some people would rather leave it to the professionals. If more serious problems such as engine difficulty arise, you should also get expert advice.
