How often should you service your motorcycle?
Friday, 27 January 2012 9:50 AM
If you have recently purchased a motorcycle, you will be keen to ensure it stays in great condition it is in now for the foreseeable future. One of the most important elements in good motorbike maintenance is getting it serviced – but how often should this be done?
The truth is, it can change from bike to bike. As you will know, there are many models of motorcycle on the market and they can vary as much as the different types of car that are around.
For instance, a sportsbike is built for speed, while a tourer is designed for longevity and efficiency. As a result, they may have very different requirements when it comes to getting a service.
In addition, how frequently you take your motor for a tune-up depends on you as a rider. You might only take your bike out for a spin on summer weekends, or you may rely on it practically every day to get you to and from work.
How often it is used and the distances it travels will have an impact on when you should think about taking it to a specialist garage.
The best option is to check your owner's manual. In here, the manufacturer should provide guidelines on when it needs to get serviced.
Typically, you will be required to take it in once you clock up a specific number of miles, or once a year if you do not reach that distance before then.
Ensuring that your bike undergoes a regular service should allow any potential problems to be identified and dealt with before they become serious. In addition, basic maintenance tasks like oil replacement can also be carried out, which will keep your wheels running smoothly.
When looking for somewhere to take your motorcycle, you should seek out a garage where the technicians are up-to-date with all of the latest specifications for your particular model.
With this in mind, it may be worth going to a dealership that sells your make of bike, or back to the place where you bought it from.
Once you are there, you could also consider updating your wardrobe by investing in some new safety garments, as it is advisable you keep your biking clothing in as good a condition as possible.
While you wait for your ride to be serviced, you could check out the Dainese products that are available and treat yourself to a new suit or jacket.
Of course, there are things you can do yourself to give your bike the best chance of staying in good shape between services.
Inspect the tyres regularly to look for wear and tear and make sure the tread depth matches the manufacturers' guidelines, as this is the best way to avoid a puncture.
You should also replace your brake fluid every year or two. Other important tasks include keeping an eye on the oil level before every long journey, checking the fuel filter regularly and replacing as necessary and oiling the chain after every ride out.
Remember if you have any concerns about the way your bike is running, simply take it into the garage and ask. It is likely the technicians will be willing to carry out a full fault diagnosis for you and help you identify the problem.
Before you know it, you will be back on the road and wearing your new Dainese leathers.