How to Maintain Your Motorcycle/ATV for Optimum Performance

Motorcycle/ATV maintenance is not only an essential part of owning a bike, but it can make the difference between riding safely and finding yourself in a dangerous situation or an accident. Although modern bicycles require less maintenance than in the past, they still need much more attention than a car. Read on to learn how to maintain your motorcycle or ATV for optimal performance.

There are many different things that you should check on your bike on a regular basis; So many in fact that you could spend all your time doing maintenance and not wasting time riding. So while it’s important to check all the parts on your bike, these are the most important things to check regularly.

tires

Always make sure your ATV or motorcycle tires are properly inflated. Over or under inflation can cause a burst, which is pretty dangerous on a bike, as you probably know. Checking your tires takes only a few minutes; In fact, it’s so short a time that you can do it every time you fill up on gas.

Brakes

Motorcycles and ATVs generally have two brake fluid reservoirs, one in the front and one in the rear; Both brake fluid reservoirs should be checked regularly and topped up as necessary. Brake fluid tends to absorb moisture over time and become less effective, so only use brake fluid from a new, sealed bottle each time you fill the reservoirs. Also, you should regularly check the thickness of the brake pads and replace them as soon as necessary. If you allow the brake pads to go all the way to the metal, your brake disc will be damaged, resulting in unnecessary and expensive replacement ATV parts or motorcycle parts.

Gas

We all know you need gas to run your bike, but the fuel filter and fuel lines are often overlooked as a form of preventative maintenance on an ATV or motorcycle. If you have a fuel filter, make sure it is not clogged and looks clean; Fuel filters should be replaced every two years. Regularly check your fuel lines for cracks or weather damage and replace as necessary. If you are parking your bike for an extended period of time, remember to turn off the fuel cock to prevent fuel from spilling out and flooding the engine.

Petroleum

Regular oil and filter changes will keep your bike running at peak performance. Your oil level should be kept at a high or maximum level, and your oil filter should be changed with every oil change. Typically you should change your oil every 3000 miles or every 3 months. High temperatures, speed, weather, heavy traffic, short trips, and dust can quickly destroy the quality of your oil, so if you drive in these conditions, change your oil more often.

Battery

While the battery is a very common cause of breakdowns, it can be difficult to get to and is unfortunately not checked often. However, your bike battery only requires a little monthly maintenance to function perfectly. Always keep the battery 100% charged; Recharge the battery when the lights appear dim, the starter motor sounds weak, or the battery has not been used in more than two weeks.