Tips for Keeping Your Motorcycle in Top Condition

By Dipika Patel

For many riders, their motorcycle is their pride and joy, which means they are keen to look after it in the best way possible.

Whether you are buying used motorcycles or just want to keep your new ride running as well as it did the day you left the showroom, you may find some of the following suggestions helpful.

Motorcycles need regular maintenance, especially if they are being ridden frequently, and there are some checks that you should perform each time you are planning to take your bike on the road.

Always have a look at the oil and coolant levels and if necessary, top them up. You should keep an eye out for any damp patches or stains on the ground under your bike as this could indicate that there is a leak somewhere.

You should also measure your tyre pressure and ensure that both wheels are filled to the manufacturer's recommended specifications. As well as making the treads on the tyres last longer, this will also help prevent damage to your suspension.

Brakes are another key component to keep in good working order - you should regularly assess the pads so that you can replace them when they are beginning to wear.

It is worth remembering that you should not need to fully depress the foot pedal or completely pull back the lever to get the brakes to engage, so if you find you are having to do this, get them checked out.

The drive chain should be properly lubricated at all times - and when you are doing this you can also make sure that it is properly adjusted and not too loose.

Of course, you should not neglect the appearance of your motorcycle, so give it a quick dust and wipe down before you hit the road. Washing and polishing your bike every two months is also advisable to keep it looking as good as new.

Even if you regularly carry out maintenance work on your bike, it will still need to be taken for motorcycle servicing every year.

This is an excellent opportunity to fine-tune your machine and get everything working at its optimum level.

A full oil and filter change should be performed, while adjustments to the clutch and drive chain are often necessary to get your bike back to its best.

Listen to the idle speed of the engine once it has warmed up and make sure it is running at the correct rate.

A thorough inspection of the brakes should be undertaken at every service and any worn pads or callipers will need to be replaced.

Lubricating components such as the levers, pivots and chains is also an important part of the maintenance process to protect the machinery from the weather.

If you do not use your bike during the winter, then there are some things that you should do to prepare it for storage.

Firstly, add a fuel stabiliser to the tank because this will help prevent moisture building up and will ensure the fuel does not go stale while it is not being used.

You should remove the battery if your bike will be off the road for a prolonged period - but you will still need to charge it to prevent it from going flat because it is not being used.

Where and how you store your motorcycle is also important to stop rust developing. You will need a dry place out of direct sunlight and you should invest in a motorcycle cover to keep your bike in the best condition.

P&H Motorcycles is the best-known multi-franchise motorcycle dealer in the South East and we stock a wide range of new and used motorcycles and scooters from quality manufacturers like Yamaha, Honda, Suzuki, Ducati, Victory, KTM and Kawasaki, as well as, motorcycle servicing and repair services.

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