Nothing beats riding out on the open road on your motorbike. The freedom that owning a bike gives you is like nothing else in the world. But without proper upkeep you won’t always have the smooth riding bike you know and love. Though maintenance is important, it is easy and takes very little time. So before you go on your next big ride, remember these five tips.
1. Know the Bike
The most important part of maintaining a motorcycle, or any other vehicle, is to read the owner’s manual. Within the owner’s manual is all the information you need to keep your bike performing at its best. It is advisable not to attempt any kind of servicing on your bike before reading the manual. This means to read the manual, from cover to cover, not to simply skim through it.
2. Avoid Cold Starts
While it does not seem like a big deal, cold starts can be devastating on the performance of your vehicle. When the engine starts cold, there is no lubrication on the pistons, so the sudden motion of the start can crack, break or even weld the piston to the engine. Most bikes will have a pre-heat, so remember to let it run through before turning the engine over.
3. Chain Tension
Without a chain you don’t have a bike, so remember to check the tension of the chain and make sure it is sufficiently lubricated. If the chain does not have the appropriate tension it can cause wear on the gearbox, which can then result in poor gearshifts and suspension. This can, in the long run, result in a broken drive chain. Remember to read the owner’s manual before attempting any repairs, as you may require a torque wrench with the correct settings.
4. Oil/fluids
Poor oil, or low oil, in your bike is possibly the worst thing for it. It is vital for the performance of your bike that you regularly check your oil levels and change it as per the owner’s manual. Oil is the lubricant for the engine and poor oil levels can leave your engine dry, resulting in serious engine damages, so remember to always keep it topped up. Engine oil is not the only fluid needed for the continued running of your bike, you will also need to check up on the coolant and brake fluid level. See your owner’s manual for the specific levels.
5. Parts
While sufficient maintenance should keep your bike running in top condition, there is a chance you will need to replace a part. Or maybe you just want to increase your motorbikes performance with better parts. As has been said, cold starts can be devastating on your bikes engine, so you may find yourself having to replace pistons, rods or crankshafts after an engine seizure. Some aftermarket pistons come with advanced dry lubricants, specially designed to avoid the problems of a dry start. It is even a good idea to think about replacing the stock pistons early to prevent problems if you live in colder climates. Performance part stores, like Pure Performance Motorsport, who can be found with Pure Performance Motorsport on Ebay and Pure Performance Motorsport on Facebook and on their website (https://www.pureperformancemotorsport.com/), are a fantastic place to look for replacement parts.
Remember to always check your manual before doing any work on your bike. What else do you do to maintain the quality of your motorcycle?