5 Maintenance Tips for Motorcycles

The average cost of maintaining a car is $800-$900 a year. The cost of maintaining a motorcycle is $200-$300 a year.

Keeping your bike running is cheaper, but it’s no less important. The best method is to focus on a few crucial areas.

Read on for five maintenance tips for motorcycles.

In this article

1. Oil

This is one of the first maintenance tasks you’ll perform. The oil filter must be changed and replaced before you begin to ride. It affects the performance and lifespan of your bike.

Change the oil every few thousand miles. Check your owner’s manual to find out how often. It depends on factors such as:

How often do you ride
The quality of the oil
Where you drive

Check your oil before you drive. Ride for five minutes to warm up first.

Turn the engine off and put the bike upright. Let the oil go into a drain pan, remove the drain plug and oil filter, and put in a new oil filter. Refill the oil using a funnel then replace the oil fill cap.

2. Air Filters

Motorcycle air filters keep debris out of the engine. If they’re clogged or dirty, you’ll notice a dip in performance.

Keeping the filter clear is a simple but time-consuming motorcycle maintenance task. You may have to remove the gas tank or other components to get to it.

Clean the filter with compressed air. You can also replace it if it’s too difficult to clean.

3. Battery

A few battery maintenance tips can extend its lifespan. Use a trickle charger to keep it at 100%. Clean the top and add distilled or deionized water if the electrolyte level gets low.

You can disconnect a new battery in the winter and recharge it every month. If it’s a few years old, it may need to be replaced.

4. Tires

Several bike maintenance tips involve the tires. They’re one of the most important parts of your vehicle, so you should check them every time you go for a ride.

Check the air pressure by locating the valve stem inside the wheel. Remove the cap and press an air pressure gauge into the valve stem.

If your tire doesn’t have enough, use an air compressor. Let the air out if you’re over-inflated.

The tires also have an indicator to help you check their tread. Look for a small rubber knob in the grooves. You need a new tire if it’s ever at the same level of rubber that meets the road.

Look for any signs of damage such as cracks or rot before you head out. They indicate that you need to go to a motorcycle repair shop for new tires.

5. Chain

A motorcycle’s chain transfers power from the engine to the rear wheel. It’s exposed to the elements, and that puts it at risk of deteriorating or becoming loose.

Raise the back tire and put the bicycle in unbiased. Use a brush to clean the chain.

Rotate the back wheel when you apply chain lube. Let it sit for five minutes before you wipe off any excess lube. It’s best to do this after every ride while your bike is still warm.