Motorcycle Maintenance Tips

As a responsible motorcycle owner, one of the many tasks you must do is regular maintenance. Your bike is only going to function well if you do what you can to keep it in good shape. Fortunately, that doesn’t mean you have to take it to the shop for every little problem. There are several different motorcycle maintenance tasks that you can do easily at home, provided you’ve got the right tools and knowledge.

Gina's Motorsports of Monee is proud to be your Chicagoland-area motorcycle dealer. We’ve provided some basic maintenance tips below to help you keep your motorcycle in good working order.

Review Your Owner’s Manual

Before you do anything else, the best place to begin with motorcycle maintenance is your owner’s manual. Everything you need to know about your bike is in there, so keep it somewhere that you can easily access it. You don’t have to read it cover-to-cover by any means, but make sure that you know what parts, fluids and tools are recommended for your particular make and model. You can also use your manual to make note of any parts you replace or professional repairs that are performed, as well as routine maintenance tasks like oil changes.

Check Your Tires

The two wheels of your bike keep contact with the road and hold you up, so it’s vital that they be in good shape at all times. You should never ride on bad tires, as this is reckless and could endanger the safety of you and anyone around you on the road. 

Use a tire-pressure gauge to check the front and rear tires, comparing the pressure to the recommended psi levels in your owner’s manual or on the sidewall of the tire. Air them up accordingly. While you’re down there, inspect each wheel for uneven wear, embedded objects, cracks in the sidewall or any other signs of damage that merit immediate repair or replacement.

Inspect Your Brakes

Your motorcycle’s brakes are a necessary safety component, so make sure that you’re inspecting them regularly. Look at both brake reservoirs to make sure there’s enough fluid in each one. Once the fluid goes below the line indicated, you can top it off easily, but if the fluid is all gone, you probably have a bigger issue. Ensure that the brake pads are wearing evenly and that they aren’t too corroded. If your brakes begin to grind or make any strange noises, schedule a maintenance appointment with us here at Gina’s Motorsports of Monee.

Change The Oil

Any motorized vehicle is going to need an oil change at some point and your motorcycle is no different. Remove the dipstick, wipe it down with a soft cloth, reinsert it into the reservoir and remove it to compare the color and consistency of the oil to the chart provided. Clear, runny oil can be topped off, but sludgy, opaque oil needs to be changed immediately. Make sure that you change your oil filter at the same time. If you see metal shavings in your oil, you’ll also want to get that checked out sensei t means that parts of your engine may be grinding together.

Look at Your Lights

Your bike’s lights ensure that you can see and be seen on the highway in dim or dark riding conditions. Make sure that they are functional and bright before every ride. Bulbs can readily burn out. One thing you may want to do is replace your bulbs with efficient LED lights, since these last longer and burn more brightly, improving your visibility. While LEDs do cost more, they’ll save you money down the line due to their efficiency.

Remember: if you need some professional assistance with motorcycle servicing, you can contact the service department here at Gina’s Motorsports of Monee to talk to our professional mechanics. We’ll be happy to schedule a maintenance appointment for you or answer any questions you may have.

Still looking for the perfect bike for spring riding? Visit our dealership in Monee, Illinois, to investigate our full selection of new and used motorcycles for sale. Gina’s Motorsports of Monee proudly serves the greater Chicago metropolitan area as well as all of Kankakee County, Illinois.