Do Motorcycles Need a Lot of Maintenance?
After a long winter or extended time off, your motorcycle should be thoroughly inspected and serviced before you ride it. If you keep up with the regular maintenance schedule in your service manual and you did your due diligence before putting your bike away, then it shouldn’t take you long to get back on the road. Let’s find out what needs to be checked for regular service intervals and after a season off.
What Kind of Maintenance Do Motorcycles Need?
Service intervals (you’ll find these in your owner’s manual) for your motorcycle will vary based on your model and driving style, but in general you should ensure your bike receives routine services approximately every 3000-5000 miles or annually. Ideally, you want to do a quick once-over every month or every couple of weeks, especially if you’re putting on high miles or riding a second-hand bike.
Oil is the lifeblood of your motorcycle so be sure your engine oil level is always full. Given how essential it is, you should see that it’s replaced at a maximum interval of 3000-5000 miles or annually and your oil filter should be replaced along with the oil. Coolant and brake fluids are generally changed every few years, but it’s a good practice to keep an eye on them every few months.
Cleaning and lubricating the chain weekly is usually enough, unless you’re riding off road or you’ve been in wet or muddy conditions; eventually it’ll loosen and need to be readjusted.
Your air filter should be replaced based on manufacturer guidelines or every 10,000 miles; if you ride in dusty conditions you’ll need to clean it monthly. Check the thickness of your brake pads every 3-4 months, depending on your mileage and be sure to check your tires and tire pressure weekly.
How to Prepare Your Motorcycle for Riding Season
Even if you “winterized” your motorcycle, it’s still a good idea to check everything over. Start by thoroughly cleaning your bike and inspect it as you do. Tighten any loose bolts, check your wheels and brake pads, and see if there are any exposed or damaged wires (especially if you see signs of rodents). Lube your throttle and clutch cables and check your forks and seals. If you didn’t change the oil and other fluids before storing your bike then that’s the next step.
Make sure your battery is fully charged before connecting it, then fire it up and let it run for a while. For electronics, go over the fuses and replace any that have blown, and make sure all of your lights and indicators are working including your brake light. Next slowly spin your wheels and thoroughly inspect your tires and wheels.
Once everything is inspected, it’s time for a short test ride. Listen for any strange sounds or rattling, do some U-turns, check your steering and be sure to hit the brakes hard a few times. If everything checks out and feels good, you should be ready to start off the season on two wheels! If you have any questions or service needs contact us here.