Recommended Ways To Keep Your Motorbike In Good Condition
Wed, 10 Mar 2010
Riding around on two wheels is precarious enough with all the inherent dangers bikers face - four-wheeled much larger vehicles driven carelessly in a bike’s vicinity, potholes, slippery roads, poor visibility, sharp bends and a long list of other potential hazards - without a badly maintained bike making matters worse. Two steps responsible bikers should follow are to maintain their bike regularly and to ensure adequate
motorbike insurance is in place.
The importance of having bike insurance is simple, since without it you and your bike would be unprotected, which is not a constructive position in which to be. With various options to choose from, including full UK and European breakdown coverage, personal effects cover and legal protection, there is no good reason to be without sufficient insurance protection.
The best protection though is of course prevention, which is why it is critical that your motorcycle remains in good condition. Waiting for your bike’s annual MOT or next servicing is not good enough if you want to prevent an avoidable accident from occurring as the result of a defect such as faulty brakes or tyres, so it is up to you to perform regular checks to ensure your bike is roadworthy. Your bike’s handbook should offer more thorough guidelines on how to keep your bike in top condition, however listed below are some basic recommendations.
All the recommended checks are well worth your time and effort, not only to avert possible accidents and to keep you, your bike and others on the road safe, but also to reduce your chances of having to make an insurance claim.
Tyre and wheel check - Tyres should be checked at least once a week when the tyres are cold, so do not conduct this check immediately after coming back from a ride. Inspect the tyres for any damage that could have been caused by debris on the road, and get them replaced if you notice a puncture or other serious defect. Check the tyres’ tread depth, and use a pressure gauge to verify the pressure is fine. If you need to replace the tyres, bear in mind that new tyres are particularly slippery for the first fifty or so miles, so ride with extra care.
In addition, check the wheels for signs of general deterioration or damage, including making sure wheel spokes are not broken or bent.
Light check - If other drivers out on the road cannot easily see you, there is more chance you will be hit, so regularly check that your headlight, taillight and any hazard lights are functioning properly and are not cracked. Also, inspect your indicator and brake lights to ensure they are in working order.
Brake check - Obviously, it is essential not to have defective brakes, so before you set out on a ride apply the brakes to test that they work properly. Frequently check the brake pads for signs of wear, and if you are ever in doubt about their condition, consult a mechanic to find out if they need to be replaced.
Steering check - To avoid faulty steering causing an accident, periodically test the steering to check that all is as it should be. This can be accomplished by lifting the bike so the front wheel is off the ground, and moving the handlebars from side to side. Bear in mind that the handlebar ends should not touch the fuel tank, so if you notice that happening, it is a sign something is wrong.
Drive chain check - It is important for your safety that the drive chain is lubricated and not too loose, so periodically check the tension and adjust accordingly, and lubricate if necessary.
Fluid check - Brake, coolant and clutch fluid must be monitored to ensure the fluids are at correct levels and that no leaks are coming from the hoses, reservoirs or connections. Additionally, when the engine is cold, inspect the engine oil to verify all is well and that there is no leakage around the shock absorber or from the fork tube oil seals.
Winter care - Snow, ice and the salt thrown down on roads after a snowfall can all build up on your bike, corroding it. So at the very least, wipe down your bike after every ride, or better yet hose it off, and coat your bike with a product such as WD-40.
Before setting off - Finally, with your bike fit to be out on the road, before you ride off make certain that the mirrors are adjusted correctly, the lights and mirrors are clean, the horn is working and that all warning lights are off.
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