Owning a Bike

Posted: 23 Oct 2011

Bikes are all about freedom, so it’s very tempting to just jump on and ride off every time, but your bike will repay a few moments regular TLC with miles of trouble-free fun.

• Before every run, check that the lights and indicators are working

• After starting, let the bike warm up to normal operating temperature before using high revs

• At least once a week, check oil and fluid levels, tyre pressures and tread depths, lubricate the chain and check it for tension

• The minimum legal tyre tread depth for motorcycles over 49cc is 1mm, but this is a bare minimum, and many bikers feel that 2mm or 3mm means time for new tyres, particularly in winter or wet conditions

• Clean the bike with a damp cloth and mild detergent or specialist cleaner either once a week or after a long run, especially in winter. Thi removes salt that can lead to premature corrosion

• At least once a fortnight, check brakes, cables, forks, hoses and shocks for signs of deterioration

• Use high-detergent fuel regularly rather than cheaper fuel, as it helps to keep your engine clean

Protecting your bike over winter…

• Leave the battery on a specially designed slow or trickle charger, such as Optimate or Acumate

• Empty the petrol tank

• Over-inflate the tyres by 4 psi

• Clean and dry all over

• Spray electrics and metal with corrosion protector

• Turn the wheels every fortnight