The New Rider Chronicles: Basic Bike Maintenance
Not to sound unoriginal and cliché, but basic bike maintenance is crucial to the longevity and performance of your motorcycle.
I could spend hours sharing all the maintenance nuances I’ve learned in the past few months, but when it comes to important bike elements to be mindful of as a new rider, I’m going to stick to the key essentials. For a safer and more enjoyable riding experience, your tires, battery, oil, and chain are the top features to be aware of as a new motorcycle owner.
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TIRES
Tires are the only thing connecting your bike to the road, so keeping your tires in good shape is critical. Not only does proper tire maintenance keep you safe, it can also drastically improve your ride. Low tire air pressure can make it more difficult to steer, lower your gas mileage, as well as overheat your tires and cause irregular wear. Too high of tire air pressure can lead to bumpier and harsher rides, as well as less road grip due to overinflation creating a smaller contact patch with the pavement.
The easiest way to maintain good tire health is to regularly inspect your tires for damage and appropriate air pressure before getting on the road. Just as you would adjust the air pressure in your car tires, follow your motorcycle manufacturer’s recommended tire air pressure for your bike. Note that manufacturer-recommended air pressures are specific to the original tire sizes on the bike, so if you have changed your tires, the pressure needed may vary. Also, be sure to check the age of your tires by referencing the DOT code on the side of your tires. As tires age, performance can degrade even if the tire has been unused, so a good rule of thumb is to replace any tire over 10 years old.
Tire Tip: Adjusting your tire pressure is easy, and an air compressor isn’t required. Many bicycle tire pumps have a universal nozzle and air pressure gauge that allows you to pump up your motorcycle tires. A bicycle pump is an affordable and easy alternative to ensure proper tire health.
BATTERY
If you have a group ride or a long trip mapped out, a dead battery can instantly throw a wrench into any plans. Without a replacement battery on hand, your riding day is scrapped, or worse, you’re stranded. For older bikes, running your motorcycle with a battery that’s too low can also be hard on the bike’s electronics, where the battery can struggle to feed the bike’s electricals while attempting to recharge.
Unlike a car that charges its battery quickly when running, a motorcycle charges its battery at a much slower rate. That’s why it’s important to regularly hook up your battery to a battery tender, which will drip charge your battery to make up for the small amount of charge lost over time. A good battery can last five years or more on average with the help of a battery tender.
OIL
Similar to your car, low or dirty oil can significantly reduce motorcycle performance and even damage or overheat your engine. Regular oil changes as recommended by your motorcycle manufacturer can increase the life of your engine, improve your fuel efficiency, and avoid costly repairs.
Brand new bikes usually come stock with oil that is specifically designed for the break-in period of a new engine. As new parts may be stiff, break-in oil is designed to be thinner to minimize engine wear and contamination. At your first oil change, this break-in oil will be replaced with regular oil that will be run throughout the life of the bike. You need to check the manufacturer’s suggested mileage for your first oil change, but the break-in period is usually in the range of 500–1000 miles.
When preparing for your first oil change, be aware that traditional automotive oil stations do not typically service motorcycles. To get your motorcycle serviced, bring your motorcycle to a local dealer or to a motorcycle shop. The dealer should know what oil to use, especially if they are a brand-specific dealer, but you can always look up the manufacturer recommendations in your user manual to ensure the recommended oil is used.
CHAIN
The majority of motorcycles on the road have a chain, but for the few bikes that have a driveshaft, chain maintenance is not applicable. For those bikes that are chain-operated, cleaning and lubricating the chain is important, but the needed frequency depends on your riding type, terrain, and weather.
Of course a clean chain always looks and sounds good, but if you prefer maintenance over repair, it’s worth it to buy a quality chain and keep it maintained from the onset. While lubricating your chain is an easy thing to do, avoid applying too much or too little. An over-lubricated chain can cause a mess and attract debris that reduces the efficiency of your motorcycle. Whereas a dry chain can cause premature wear on your front and rear sprockets, or worse, chain breakage and loss of control of your motorcycle.
Another tip to chain durability is maintaining proper tension. Too much or too little slack in the chain can cause irregular wear, jam your wheels, or create drag, making it harder to turn over and putting more pressure on your engine. As a beginner, you may not be ready to adjust your chain yourself, so I suggest visiting your local dealer or motorcycle shop to ensure the proper fit.
Motorcycle maintenance may seem complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. While these four elements are the most important, they are simple ways to get acquainted with your bike and ensure that you get the most out of your ride every time.
Get more out of the riding lifestyle and learn about Connecting with the Community in our next article in The New Rider Chronicles.
Start your motorcycle shopping journey and find the nation’s largest selection of new and used bikes for sale from dealers and private sellers at CycleTrader.com.
Destinee Cyr
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