Maintenance is important – not just for safety but also for longevity. Regular, thorough checks of your motorcycle can prevent a needless malfunction or motorcycle accident.

In general, making sure everything on your motorcycle works – from brakes to lights – before riding is a good habit to get into. Whether your ride every day or once a month, check your tire treads for air pressure and imperfections before heading out. A cut or a small tear could cause a blowout. Because your safety can depend on wheel condition, also check for loose or missing spokes, or cracks along the wheels’ rims.
Keep a lubricant, as well as a tool kit, on hand at all times when working on or riding a motorcycle. Keeping mechanisms well lubricated prevents rusting and damage to your bike’s exterior. Also keeping your bike clean can help you spot trouble areas before they become a major issue.

Each motorcycle has its own particular maintenance schedule for upkeep, which can be found in the owner’s manual. If the motorcycle is purchased second-hand and there is not owner’s manual, chances are you can find a copy on-line. This is a worthwhile investment even for professional mechanics.

In general, this is a quick checklist of everything you should be keeping up with, no matter the make or model of your motorcycle:
Before every ride:

  • Check the coolant level
  • Check the oil level (change the oil filter at least every 2,000 miles. Every 1,00 miles is better)
  • Check the brake cables and pad thickness
  • Check the suspension and chassis for loose nuts, bolts or leaks
  • Check and lubricate the chain

Once a year:

  • Check wheel bearings
  • Check the engine valves
  • Replace Air filter
  • Replace spark plugs

Every two years:

  • Change the coolant
  • Change the brake fluid
  • Change the fork oil
  • Replace spark plug wires

Keep your motorcycle running smooth, and you and your passenger safe - stick to your maintenance schedule.