Routine Motorcycle Maintenance Articles | Motorcycles

By: Joe Dively

Taking good care of your motorcycle will ensure a safe and enjoyable ride every time for years to come.  Maintaining your motorcycle is relatively easy.  The key to avoiding problems now and in the future is dealing with any small problems that may occur right away.

A Pre-ride inspection is a great way to find small areas of concern before they become costly or cause unsafe riding conditions.  Before heading out on the road (anytime), be sure to do a quick and easy pre-ride inspections that includes the common T-Clocs test:

T: Tires and Wheels.
Quickly check your air pressure, brakes, and tire thread for cracks, dents and loose spokes.

C: Controls. 
Always make sure that your levers, switches, cables, hoses and controls are in good working order before heading out on the open road.

L: Lights and Electrical System must always be a perfect working order to ensure a safe ride.

O: Oil and Other Filters. 
Check your levels and for leaks.

C: Chasses. 
Be sure that your suspension and rive belt are in good working order.

S: Side Stand.

Doing this quick 3-5 minute safety check each and every time to get your bike out for a ride will help to identify problems before they can cause you or your bike serious harm. 

In addition to this daily pre-ride inspection, you will also be required to take your motorcycle into a certified/authorized motorcycle inspection shop once every year for a detailed inspection required by state law.  This in-depth inspection is designed to find problems that could cause a serious safety hazard to you or other drivers on the road.

While each state’s inspection requirements are a bit different most include the following to be reviewed for acceptable working conditions in their state inspection procedures:

·    Headlights.
·    Rear view mirror.
·    Horn.
·    Hand and foot brakes.
·    Exhaust system.
·    Rear number plate.
·    Number plate light.
·    Tires/treads.
·    Hand holds.
·    Proper sidecar installation and safety lighting.

When it comes to general monthly or quarterly maintenance, most motorcycle manufacturers suggest reading your owners’ manual thoroughly for specific instructions. Regarding general maintenance procedures such as oil changes; lubricating; tire pressure, and so on.  Very bike is different and thus requires a different type of maintenance schedule.  But one thing’s certain: no matter what style bike you have or who the manufacturer is, your motorcycle needs to undergo regular maintenance procedures designed to keep it in tip-top riding shape.