Motorcycle Maintenance: A Complete Guide for Passionate Drivers

Do you wish you could take care of your motorcycle’s maintenance yourself? For those of you who are passionate about their bikes –or those who want to save a bit of money- there are several steps that you can complete on your own. When you take good care of your motorbike, you are also ensuring a longer lifespan!

SM Sport tells you how to maintain your bike in tip top shape.

The Importance of Regular Motorcycle Maintenance

Regular maintenance will, obviously, allow you to keep your bike in excellent condition. As you might suspect, taking care of all of the different components also allows you to avoid eventual problems and expensive repairs.

You will also be adding to your vehicle’s lifespan, but even more so, you will be ensuring your own safety. When you skip maintenance, components can begin to wear or become defective without you even knowing it.

Just like for cars, regular maintenance is also key in ensuring an advantageous resale value. Moreover, our used motorbikes at SM Sport have been meticulously inspected so as to ensure excellent quality.

When to do maintenance on your motorcycle?

If your motorcycle is new, you will have to complete your first maintenance after 1,000 kilometers or so. After that, some components need to be maintained more regularly than others; this also depends on how often you use your bike. The Owner’s Manual generally indicates recommendations as to what to do and when. 

As for cleaning, a minimal clean is recommended once a month or more, like when weather conditions are harsher and more damaging to the body.

Motorcycle Maintenance Checklist

Regular oil changes and oil filter changes

The oil consumption depends on several factors. As a general rule, an oil and oil filter change should take place every 8,000 km or every six months.

You should also check on your oil levels often since they will vary according to use and weather conditions. Oil changes and filter replacement are essential to an engine’s optimal health!

Regular checks and adjustments to the chain tension

The chain tension can sometimes be overlooked by motorcycle owners. It is important to check on your chain, lubricate and adjust it regularly; not only once your transmission doesn’t run as smoothly as it should!

You should tighten the chain, while allowing for 3 cm of slack. A chain that is too taut will tend to wear prematurely.

Frequent checks of tire pressure and wear

Every two weeks, or every 1,000 km, you will want to check on your tires. It is important to check your tire pressure given that inadequate pressure will not only have an influence over your motorcycle’s road handling capacity and braking efficiency, but also over your tires’ lifespan! If needed, take a look at your Owner’s Manual.

On top of the pressure, you’ll also want to pay attention to your tires’ general overall state. Among other things, check on the flanks and tread to make sure that there are no sharp objects that could cause a flat tire.

Braking System Maintenance

When it comes to the braking system, you will have to check on the brake pads, calipers and brake fluid.

The pads must be replaced once they lose around 75 to 85% of their original thickness. To see any part more clearly, do not hesitate to use a flashlight and mirror.

As for the brake calipers, if there is an accumulation of sand or dirt, they will not work properly. You can check on your calipers by turning the wheel and applying pressure on the brakes. If there is a significant amount of friction, you will want to clean the axles and pistons as well.

Finally, don’t forget to replace the brake fluid according to your motorcycle’s maintenance guide (this is really important for your braking quality) to avoid damage.

Cleaning your motorcycle regularly

Cleaning your bike is not only to make it look pretty! It is an important step to motorcycle maintenance that, among other things, will help prevent rust from forming. In fact, no matter if it is while you are driving or at a complete stop, your motorbike is exposed to several elements like rain, sand, etc.

A good thorough clean will prevent these elements from causing damages to your bike, on the medium to long term.

Inspecting and lubricating cables

Before the beginning of the season –and as you follow the recommendations stated in the Owner’s Manual- take time to inspect and lubricate cables. The cable settings might need to be adjusted or your cables might be too old or used; if they are, they will need to be replaced.

Checking on liquid levels

Oil levels and coolant levels must be checked on regularly. The coolant level is not supposed to go down; this means you should also check on leaks. You will also want to make sure not to go over the recommended levels either.

You will want to check on liquid levels about 5 to 10 minutes after shutting off the engine.

Replacing air filters regularly

In general, air filters are changed at the same time you do maintenance; but do not hesitate to check on them from time to time, making sure they are exempt of dirt and debris.

Battery

The battery charge needs to be checked on regularly with a voltmeter, especially if you only drive over short distances. In fact, in such cases, the battery does not have the time to be charged by the alternator. Using a battery charger for your motorcycle might be necessary.

You will also want to check on the terminals to see if there is any rust. If there is, you should clean it off with a metallic brush.

How to properly store your motorcycle, both in the summer and the winter

To store your bike properly, you will want to drain the oil before winter. The battery can be removed and stored somewhere where it cannot freeze. If you leave it on the motorcycle, plug it to a charger so that it remains in optimal state and does not empty.

You will also want to clean your motorcycle before winter, and cover it with a good quality cover. A cover is also ideal in the summer to protect your motorcycle from the elements.

Periodical maintenance with a professional like SM Sport

For your motorcycle maintenance, place your trust in professional hands. The SM Sport team is located in the Quebec area and includes a motorcycle service and maintenance department to take care of your vehicle. Moreover, we offer the necessary parts and accessories to ensure proper regular maintenance.

Esthetic maintenance: Tips and tricks on how to clean your motorcycle

Preparing your motorcycle for cleaning

Before cleaning your motorcycle, you can remove the seat, the tanks, the fairings and the panels to wash them separately; this will also make it easier for you to access all of the motorcycle parts.

You should clean your bike in the shade, or on a day when it is not sunny outside. The sun will dry your motorcycle more quickly and leave unwanted streaks. Before cleaning your bike, take a moment to remove grease, especially in the wheels.

Choosing the right products and tools

When cleaning, you should avoid household products and use products that are specially made for motorcycles, designed not to leave streaks or scratches.

Purchase some microfiber gloves or towels so that you can be sure not to scratch the body or other components; most importantly, do not use the scrub side of the sponge if you are using one! You should plan for several rags and towels to address cleaner parts and dirtier parts separately.

Water pressure

Even though high water pressure accelerates the cleaning process, you should avoid using too strong a jet, as it could damage the paint and decals, or allow water to enter the electrical components.

Here’s a bit of advice: use cold water given that it eliminates mud more easily. Your motorcycle should also have had time to cool down prior to the cleaning session so that it is not forced to cool down too quickly, which could weaken different parts or cause them to become more fragile.

Clean from the top down

In other words, clean from the cleanest part toward the dirtiest! By cleaning from the bottom up, you could push particles up towards the body and cause them to scratch the paint. Cleaning from the top down will also stop dirty water from trickling down to a cleaner or already cleaned part.

Mind the motorcycle chain

When using water pressure or jet, make sure to be mindful of the chain so that you don’t damage it. Moreover, if the chain has grease deposits, you will need to start by using a degreaser, and then lubricate it once it is clean.

Cleaning your brakes

Brakes should be cleaned with a product that is specially designed to clean brakes! You can apply it gently with a rag.

How to clean chrome motorcycle parts

To clean the chrome components, use a specialized product and rag. Using the right product will not only help you avoid streaks, it will also make them shiny as new!

How to dry your motorcycle

Allowing your motorcycle to air dry will –once more- cause streaks. It is much better to dry it off with a soft towel or rag, ideally a chamois (shammy).

Lubrication after cleaning

We have mentioned the chain, but it is also important to take the time to lubricate cables and the kickstand for optimal results.

All in all, maintenance on your motorcycle is not rocket science. However, it could require a fair amount of time and some mechanical knowledge.

For your maintenance plan, you can also trust in professionals, like in our team at SM Sport, your motorcycle dealership in Quebec. Contact use to find out more! Are you looking for a new motorcycle? Discover our inventory in our Yamaha dealership, KTM, Suzuki and many others.

FAQ about motorcycle maintenance