The 10 Most Overlooked Motorcycle Maintenance Tasks
Just like vehicle maintenance, regular motorcycle maintenance is essential to keep your bike running well, especially for used motorcycles. Sometimes, life gets busy, and simple tasks get overlooked, costing more money in the long run. No need to worry—Cycle Trader is here with a friendly reminder of what to watch out for. Stay covered and prepared by consistently checking these tasks off your list.
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1. Tire Pressure Check
Begin by checking your bike’s tire pressure, starting from the bottom and working to the top to ensure it meets recommended levels. While doing this, inspect for any anomalies like nails or screws that could lead to air loss. If you find any damage, promptly repair your tire. Riding a motorcycle with low tire pressure not only affects handling but can also be dangerous in certain road conditions, so prioritize this task for safety.
2. Chain Maintenance
Experiencing chain failure during a ride is something every rider wants to avoid. Ideally, replace your motorcycle chain every 20,000 to 30,000 miles when properly maintained. Regularly lubricating, adjusting, and inspecting the chain for damage ensures its longevity. Proper chain maintenance not only saves money in the long run but also ensures smoother throttle transitions.
3. Oil Level Check
Checking your motorcycle’s oil levels is a simple yet often overlooked maintenance task. Neglecting oil levels can lead to failures, as insufficient lubrication damages components. The frequency of checks depends on factors like temperature and riding frequency. For guidance on when to check oil levels, refer to your motorcycle manual.
4. Oil Change
While checking oil levels is crucial for motorcycle maintenance, old and dirty oil can still harm your bike. Modern bikes extend the time between oil changes, leading some riders to become complacent. Generally, a full oil change, including filter replacement, should occur every 5,000 miles or once a year. Staying on top of this task will save you money in the long run, and you can complete the task in 6 steps. Refer to your owner’s manual for specific requirements.
5. Conducting Fuel Treatment
With the advent of ethanol in fuel, bikes ridden regularly, especially in humid environments, should use a fuel treatment to prevent the fuel from becoming thick and settling in the tank. Ethanol absorbs water quickly, and once it reaches its capacity, the fuel can turn into a molasses-like consistency. Adding a fuel treatment helps avoid issues such as clogged filters and injectors, as well as fuel settling in the tank.
6. Changing Hydraulic Fluids
Much like ethanol, hydraulic fluid absorbs water over time. Being hygroscopic, it draws moisture past your bike’s rubber seals and calipers if not regularly checked. Contaminated hydraulic fluid can boil during frequent brake use, leading to major brake issues. Consider your area’s climate and moisture levels, and consult your owner’s manual for specific hydraulic fluid maintenance requirements.
7. Checking Brake Pad
The brake pads on your bike wear out faster with frequent riding, and the last thing any rider wants is for a brake pad to fail during a ride. Fortunately, replacing brake pads is much less expensive than replacing entire brake discs. With improvements in brake pad materials over the years, replacement has become a less frequent maintenance task if you stay on top of it. If your brake pad material is 2mm or less, it’s time to replace them!
8. Lubricating the Cables
If you notice your motorcycle’s throttle or clutch beginning to bind and feel gritty, it means that it’s time to lubricate your bike’s cables. By simply spraying your cables with cable lube a couple of times a season, your bike’s throttle and clutch function will continue to operate well. If you are not a frequent rider, you can perform this task with each oil change.
9. Checking Coolant Levels
Just like your car, your bike needs coolant to operate properly. Antifreeze protects your bike’s engine during cold weather, prevents oxidation of aluminum parts, and lubricates the water pump to prevent foaming. It’s recommended to change the coolant every two years and check the coolant overflow tank monthly. If unsure about the frequency for your model, refer to your owner’s manual.
10. General Parts Lubrication
A good rule of thumb is to remember that anything that pivots on your bike is a part that needs to stay lubricated. If you live in an area where there is more frequent precipitation, lubricants on your bike will break down more quickly. Brush grease on any areas of your bike that tend to become rigid before it becomes an issue.
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Routine maintenance does not have to be tedious; in fact, these few minutes of work will save you a lot of headaches in the long run. Focusing on seemingly meaningless tasks on your bike, often taking less than an hour, is likely to save you money and time better spent riding.
If you’re ready to find your next bike, make sure to check out the nationwide inventory of new and pre-owned motorcycles Cycle Trader.
Anna Cecilia Tozzi
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