Motorcycle Care Tips

A motorcycle is not just your pride and joy – it is a resource, a method of transportation and something of value. As with an automobile, motorcycles require maintenance and care to ensure longevity. Taking better care of your ride will also help with rider safety!

11 Tips To Keep Your Bike Looking, and Running, Like New

Here are 11 tips for keeping your new bike from turning into an “old” bike:

1. Follow the recommendations in the manual
   Read it. The engineers that put your bike together know pretty much everything there is to know about it. Trust what they say and follow the input for oil type, maintenance schedules, service procedures, etc.
2. Break it in right
   All this information can be found in your manual—yet another reason to love it. The most critical stage in your bike’s life is the first few hundred miles, followed by the next couple of thousand. Read your manual to see the guidelines it gives concerning the “break-in.”
3. Change the oil
   Scheduling oil changes at the right time with the right kind of oil will make your bike’s engine last much longer. Change it on a regular basis, according to the user’s manual, or more often if you’re in dusty, dirty environments.
4. Clean the air filter
   If your filter isn’t clean, the airflow to the cylinders could potentially be cut off, or worse, allow dirt and dust to grind away at your valves and cylinders. Air filter maintenance should be done often, following the regular schedule, at a minimum.
5. Check your air pressure
   The wrong air pressure in your tires can negatively affect the mileage for your bike. Check your pressure once a week with a reliable gauge. Making sure that it is correct will help reduce the wear and tear in your tires, increasing the length of time they will last. It will also keep your bike performing in the corners at its best.
6. Grease your bearings
   Keep them well lubricated and make sure that you replace them as necessary. If there is any feeling of play around the front or rear axle, they need to be replaced right away. The swingarm is another critical pivot point and it shouldn’t move from side to side.
7. Watch your drivetrain
   The drivetrain is the chain, belt or shaft that transfers power from your transmission to your rear wheel. Depending on what you have, you’ll want to keep an eye out for chain stretch, sprocket wear, belt cracking, or the condition and amount of oil in the shaft housing.
8. Keep your battery charged
   Keeping your battery charged when it is not in use can help to extend its life, typically with a trickle charger. Try to get a sealed, maintenance-free battery to avoid problems from electrolyte solutions getting too low and reducing capacity.
9. Beware of the bling
   Adding lights to make your bike look cool and enhance visibility and performance is very popular, but be careful about using parts that are not of the same workmanship standard as the originals. They might look really good but they might not last as long or work as well in conjunction with the rest of the bike’s parts. Also, some lighting may interfere with the bike’s electrical system causing shorts or even worse. Always have your lighting installed by a professional who is familiar with the make of your bike.
10. Make a checklist
    Before every ride, check the basics: the level of both the motor and transmission oil; the tire air pressures; fuel or brake-fluid leaks; bolt tightness; electrical switches and controls. If something isn’t up to par, fix it or have it addressed by taking it to the shop for evaluation.
11. There’s no need to show off

You may want to ride your bike like they do on T.V. and in the movies, but expect to make more maintenance and repair visits if you do. Break easy, accelerate steadily and turn smoothly to keep your bike and engine from being jarred and make them last longer.

By following these tips, you will be able to reduce the wear and tear of your motorcycle and enhance the bike’s life. The benefits will translate into gas savings, insurance savings, safer trips and money saved in repairs.

911 Biker Law is Orlando’s leading law firm handling motorcycle insurance claims and motorcycle accident cases. Questions, comments or concerns? Visit us at https://www.911bikerlaw.com/ to/ speak with an Orlando Motorcycle Accident Attorney today!