One in three million households in India has a motorcycle as most people prefer motorcycles for commuting on Indian roads. With the lockdown and pandemic related concerns in most cities, the onus of maintaining and taking care of vehicles has come on the owner. Knowing basic maintenance is strongly recommended as a good understanding of the bike can keep you safe on every ride. We will share some handy tips that will help you understand your motorcycle better and keep it running smoothly –
Get to know your bike
The first step that needs to be taken is to open the owner’s manual that is shared with you at the time of purchase. This includes all the information required about your bike and it will help you familiarize yourself with basic bike language. A manual usually contains easy maintenance tips that can be done by you and these tips come with diagrams for easy understanding. This can be a good headstart for educating yourself on the parts of the bike and general running.
Oil check
Engine oil plays an important role in the smooth operation of the motorcycle. Checking engine oil levels regularly and checking for leakages can save you from potential problems later. Changing oil after a said number of kilometers is needed to make sure your engine runs properly. This information is usually given in the owner’s manual shared with you at the time of the purchase. To change the oil, it’s recommended to warm the bike before as it helps to drain the oil faster.
Tire Pressure
To check the tire pressure, locate the valve stem cap on the inner wall of your tire. The next step is to place the pressure gauge on the valve stem and press down to get the reading. The ideal reading of your tyre will be written on the side of the same tyre for easy comparison. The same step has to be repeated for all the other tyres.
Coolant Change
Coolant is used to avoid overheating of the bike and it keeps a balance of temperature in the bike. It is recommended to change the coolant of your bike every two years though it’s subjective to the usage of the motorcycle. To change the coolant, one has to locate the coolant drain bolt and drain the existing coolant from it, and then use a funnel to refill the necessary amount of coolant back in. To check if the coolant is filled at the right level, you can refer to the owner’s manual that usually specifies the accurate amount of coolant.
Chain Maintenance
Safe chain handling can only be achieved if the bike chains are not rusty or old. To make sure your chains are in good condition it’s essential to lubricate the chain overnight for it to soak. You can also do it right after a ride in case the bike will not be used again.
Following these easy DIY tips can help with the upkeep of your bike. For overall motorcycle maintenance, it’s recommended to purchase bike insurance to safeguard your asset and yourself financially.
