7 Essential Bike Maintenance Checks Every Owner Must Do

7 Tips to Keep Your Bike in Good Condition

From changing engine oil regularly to making a periodic checklist, here are 7 ways to maintain your bike in good condition.

1. Regularly Check Your Engine Oil

The regular use of bikes may decrease the quantity of oil. Any kind of dust particle makes oil unfit to use. Both conditions affect the bike performance negatively. So, the need to check and change the engine oil arises. Changing engine oil is also necessary because:

• It can cause oil breakdown and thus leads to the wear and tear of the engine.
• The presence of impurities makes the oil acidic and can cause rust to several engine parts.

1. How to check the quality level of engine oil?

To check the level of engine oil, insert a dipstick into the oil reservoir. The level of oil should be between the low and high mark. If the engine oil has turned dark or dirty, change it.

2. Clean the Air Filter Regularly

The main role of the air filter is to prevent dirt and dust from entering bike engines. Once these pollutant particles get collected, they can damage the bike's cylinders and internal bearings. It is important to clean your air filter regularly because:

• It helps in the complete combustion of fuel.
• It prevents damage to the engine and related parts.

3. Be Attentive for Brakes

Brakes ensure security when a sudden obstacle comes in between the ride. The brake should not be either too loose or too tight. Also, the brake pad stops working properly after a certain time. So you should maintain it properly to ensure your safety and that of others on the road. Check the brake fluid and replace it if required. Also, look for leakage, if any.

4. Keep Your Bike Clean

You should keep the surface of your bike clean. You can use the bike manual to know the right way of cleaning the bike. In case you are using water, cover the parts that can get damaged due to water, including the silencer and switch unit. Keeping your bike clean will help to keep your bike in good condition and enhance its life.

5. Check Your Bike’s Tyres

The tyres play an important role in maintaining the overall road performance of the bike. So, you need to keep a check on its quality and condition. Some measures by which you can maintain the quality of the tyres are:

• Give proper air pressure to your tyre
• Check the pressure with a reliable gauge
• Replace the tyre after every 3-5 years

1. What are the signs of worn-out bike tyres?

If your tyre shows any of the below signs, it's time to replace it.

• Damaged sidewalls
• Frequent puncture
• Sudden drop in air pressure
• The outer part of the tyre is worn out
• Bulges on the tyre

6. Prepare a Weekly Checklist

You should make a periodic checklist, preferably weekly, to check all the parts and performance of the bike. Some of the points to include in the weekly checklist are:

• Level of motor oil
• Check the brake fluid
• Air pressure of tyre
• Switches and electric controls
• Bolt tightness
• Check for leakage, if any, and get it repaired

7. Lubricate Your Bike’s Bearing

Any of the exposed parts of the bike need extra care and greasing for better performance. Proper lubrication reduces friction and also gives rusting protection. Some of the major greasing points of the bike are:

• Steering stem bearing
• Swingarm
• Motor bount and linkage bolt
• Wheel bearing

Why Do We Need Bike Insurance?

Selection of the right insurance is also a huge step towards bike maintenance. It helps to deal with repair and damage related expenses. Even if you have already purchased third-party insurance, it is advisable to have a comprehensive plan that offers financial protection to your bike in the following cases:

• Theft or any other man-made damage
• Natural disaster
• Accidents
• Cashless repairs at network garages

Conclusion

Regular checks and maintenance of your bike will help you to be stress-free in the long run. It not only increases the lifespan of your bike but enhances its performance. From tyre pressure checks to greasing bike parts, every step is easy to follow and offers a safer ride experience to you.

While talking about the safety of your ride, you can not ignore the importance of the right bike insurance. It provides financial protection for your bike at the time of any damage or loss. To get any help with the same, you can reach out to us.

So maintain your bike, secure it, and get safe rides!