Bike enthusiasts find pleasure in riding their desired motorcycle that no four-wheeler can compensate for. Watching other vehicles be stuck in traffic, you can whizz past them on your bike by manoeuvring it through the narrow streets – a thrill offered by no other mode of transport.
For those who love adventure and chase an adrenaline high, you have probably thought about how your bike is your ideal companion for a road trip. Adventure junkies take their travels seriously and zipping through the hairpin bends on mountainous roads, or navigating a swarming city street – both bring a different sort of thrill and magic.
To ensure that your bike can withstand throughout the journey, you need to keep the bike healthy as ever. Special maintenance and servicing of the bike need to be done before and after the trip.
In this article, we will discuss ten essential bike maintenance tips that will keep your motorcycle well-functioning for a long time.
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Check bike tyres regularly
It is necessary to conduct a thorough check on the conditions of the tyres. Ensure that the air pressure in them is maintained at recommended levels. Look out for tyre cuts and scrapes that could call a potential blowout when riding.
It is a good practice to check tyre treads every week. Also, inspect the wheel balance and alignment.
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Check the engine oil
Engine oil plays a vital role in the smooth operation of the motorcycle. Once in a week, make sure that the engine oil levels are maintained and check for any potential leaks. Because of the carbon deposits, the oil consistency gets thickened.
It further creates issues with engine movements when riding. Continuing to ride the bike in such a condition will lead to an increase in fuel consumption and reduce the engine life significantly.
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Clean out the air filters
Due to the dusty climate in India, the air filters of your motorcycle are likely to get clogged quite often. Hence, cleaning them regularly becomes necessary to maintain the bike’s health. Also, change the bike air filter at regular intervals as recommended.
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Adjust the clutch
A Clutch is an important component of your bike. Make sure that you are not tightening the clutch too much as it would lead it to slip off and increase the fuel consumption as well. Thus, it needs to be adjusted rightly to ensure a hassle-free change in gears when riding the motorcycle.
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Check bike engine
The engine is the heart and soul of your motorcycle. With regular maintenance and servicing, the engine works efficiently and reduces your fuel bills as well. When checking the bike engine, clean the carburettor and maintain the valve clearances.
Every time you travel 1500 km, making it a habit to clean the carburettor float chamber afterward. Also, clean the spark plug after each 750 km covered (in case of 2-stroke bikes), and after every 1500 km covered (in case of 4-stroke bikes).
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Clean bike surface
Keeping the bike surface clean and dust-free is essential as well. However, before you wash the surface, cover the ignition switch unit, H.T. Coil, and silencer with plastic. On the other hand, make it a habit to park your vehicle in shade as frequent exposure to the sunlight can fade its appearance.
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Maintain the battery
Every vehicle battery needs maintenance at regular intervals to ensure hassle-free riding experience. If necessary, top-up the battery with distilled water and inspect it for leakage. In case you won’t be riding the bike for a very long time, keep the battery fully charged before leaving.
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Maintain the brakes
Get the brakes tightened as per your requirements. If you notice a screeching sound, replace the brake pads in the front.
This usually happens due to a lack of oil. Both (rear and front) brakes holding the tyre must be appropriately spaced. Tightening or loosening them too much can be dangerous when riding the bike.
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Check fork oil
For every 12,000 km, you cover, ensure that you replace the fork oil of your bike.
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Maintain an average riding speed
To ensure the health of your bike is maintained for a long time, try maintaining an average riding speed throughout your travel (somewhere from 40 to 60 km). It also helps reduce fuel consumption.
To Conclude
When venturing out in new and unfamiliar territories, you must be extra cautious. Riding a bike involves numerous risks. But when you cannot assess with certainty the vibe of the places in your journey, the risks magnify: What if the place is prone to bike theft? What if the state or the area you are visiting is under siege due to fire outbreaks, lightning strikes, earthquakes, floods, typhoons, hurricanes and landslides, and other such natural calamities?
The cost of repairs or replacement of motor parts can be backbreaking and gigantic. On top of it, being in a strange land means that losing or damaging your bike could be a major hassle. To cleverly tackle such situations, not only you need to adhere to the motorcycle maintenance tips but also need a comprehensive bike insurance plan.
With bike insurance available on Finserv MARKETS, you can avail bike roadside assistance facility, add-ons like personal accident cover for pillion riders and zero depreciation cover, swift cashless claim settlements, hassle-free renewals, and so much more.
Get your two wheeler insurance with us at Finserv MARKETS and travel distances worry-free.
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