This guide outlines 10 simple motorcycle maintenance and riding tips that will care for your bike and extend its lifespan.
Much like cars, motorcycles are often a source of pride and joy for their owners. So, understandably, you may want to find ways to keep yours in good condition. The better you look after it, the longer you will be able to enjoy it for. Let’s be honest, they are expensive, and the last thing you want is countless trips to the mechanic.
5 unusual things you can use WD-40 for
Motorcycle maintenance and riding tips
Below we are going to take a look at ten ways to extend the lifespan of your bike with commonsense motorcycle maintenance. Want to learn more? Then keep on reading.
Prepare for journeys in advance
As much as we may like to jump on our motorcycles at any given chance, they aren’t like other vehicles. You aren’t protected from the elements, and one small crash can cause significant damages.
In order to prevent accidents and keep everything looking new, you need to prepare journeys in advance. Look up the weather to avoid riding in the rain, know the best routes, and take regular breaks. Trust us when we say, by being prepared, you’ll be able to enjoy a better ride.
Follow good riding habits
Believe it or not, one of the best ways to improve the life of your motorcycle is to make sure that you are riding it properly. If you’re being reckless, you’re going to wear things out faster.
Remember to avoid hard acceleration, sudden braking and stick to the speed limits to stop unnecessary overheating as much as possible.
It’s also a good idea to brush up on your defensive driving too, to reduce the risk of a crash. The safer you drive, the safer both yourself and your motorcycle will be.
Keep it clean
Cleaning vehicles aren’t just for good looks. A motorcycle that is washed regularly is going to have a longer lifespan.
This is because dust, dirt, and debris won’t be sitting and corrupting all of the important features of your bike. The longer it’s there, the more damage it will do.
Aim to clean everything with the appropriate products at least once a month. This can be more if you are frequently riding in poor conditions. If you own a Yamaha, you might want to consider getting customizable Yamaha decals as a way to change the look on your bike and also protect the paint job.
Not sure where to get started? There are plenty of great tutorials online for you to follow.
Repair problems immediately
Even with excellent preventative maintenance, over the years, there will be certain repairs that your motorcycle will need. The trick is to get these looked at as quickly as possible.
If you put off problems and avoid getting them fixed, it’s only going to result in larger, more extensive issues. In fact, the damage could end up being irreversible.
Fix things quickly, and you’ll avoid unnecessary expensive repairs. You’ll save money, and your bike will love you for it.
Maintain your tires
Your tires are one of the most essential parts of your bike. If they aren’t taken care of, you are putting yourself at risk of a severe accident. Alongside this, tires that are underinflated will make your engine work harder.
Regularly check your pressure and treads to ensure they are in appropriate condition. You’ll not only have better fuel economy, but you’ll be able to ride with increased peace of mind.
Park under cover
This one should be an obvious tip, but if you aren’t doing so already, make sure that your park your bike under cover as much as possible. This not only prevents damage from rain and hail but also from the sun as well.
If you don’t have a garage, look into getting a motorcycle cover that is waterproof and contains UV protection. This will keep everything in tip-top condition.
Change oil regularly
Without a doubt, one of the most critical steps to follow is to change the oil regularly. In fact, you need to check the levels before you go on any extensive ride.
As a guide, most places recommend that you change it every 2000 miles. However, this will depend on your type of motorcycle, so make sure you read your manual to determine the frequency and grade of oil you should be using.
Don’t forget; it can also be wise to use a stiction elliminator too. This will clean and lubricate the entire oil side of the engine.
Check your air filters
Much like your motorcycle’s oil, it’s also a good idea to check your air filters regularly. If they become clogged, they can cause efficiency issues, damaging your engine.
If you’re unsure how often you should be doing this, try and look at them every time you have ridden on a dirt road to be on the safe side. They may require cleaning or replacement.
Follow a maintenance checklist
Just like cars, motorcycles require a lot of maintenance (some of which we have gone over above). So understandably, keeping up to date with everything and knowing what you need to do next can be challenging.
If you’re worried about skipping essential steps, keep a checklist handy on your phone or in your garage that you can refer to each month. This way, you’ll know when to make any changes and when to schedule your next mechanic appointment.
Check out this maintenance checklist to get started. However, you might want to have a go at making your own personalized to your specific bike.
Avoid over-modifying
Finally, while it might seem cool to modify your motorcycle, you should stay away from making too many changes. Pushing your engine over the limit is going to reduce its lifespan in the long run.
While there are some things you can do to improve longevity, there has to be a certain balance. You don’t want to go making any incorrect changes if you aren’t 100% confident in what you are doing.
Final words
And that’s it! These were 10 ways to extend the lifespan of your motorcycle. By following the above, you’ll be able to continue riding it for many years to come. It may take a bit of hard work, but it will all be worth it in the end.
