Motorcycle Tech Tips

Motorcycle Tech Tips for Safer Rides

Motorcycles are great tools for having fun and getting around just about anywhere you might want to go. Motorcycles were among the first successful forms of motorized transportation and remain wildly popular more than a century since their inception. Over time, motorcycles have become much more powerful and reliable, but they still require maintenance. The following motorcycle tech tips will help you stay as safe as possible while also saving some money on dealership services.

Change Your Fluids

Oil and brake fluid are the two most commonly needed fluid changes on motorcycles, but many people overlook them. You could take a Harley-Davidson into a dealership for a full change of engine oil, transmission oil and primary oil – but that will set you back a couple of hundred bucks at least. A true DIY biker will handle those fluid changes and save lots of money.

Changing the brake fluid also is important to ensure your motorcycle has the best possible braking power. If you look at the reservoir and the fluid is brown, you need to change the brake fluid. It should be clear and have full viscosity. But when you let it go brown, the fluid has lost viscosity and reduces braking power. Wise motorcycle technology tips always tell you to check the brake fluid.

Brakes

A good DIY motorcycle gearhead can handle the brakes on virtually any modern motorcycle. Most are equipped with disc brakes on the front and rear, but some might still have old-fashioned drum brakes on the rear wheel. Those who know how to change and bleed disc brakes on cars already know how to do the same on motorcycles.

You start by checking the brake pad thickness and for any damage or warpage of the brake rotor. So long as the pads and caliper are in good working order, the rotor should be too. If you let the pads wear down to their rivets, the rotor will suffer damage and likely need replacement along with the brake pads.

If the pads and rotors are fine or otherwise replaced, you just need to bleed the brake lines to ensure you get full stopping power. Brake fluid has the unique ability to draw moisture out of the air, which accumulates inside the brake caliper. If you get too much moisture in there, you lose braking power. Bleeding your brake lines about every six months is a great way to ensure full stopping power.

Battery and Electronics

A motorcycle battery has a reasonable lifespan of about three years. If you live in a very hot environment, your motorcycle’s battery could discharge must faster than in a more temperate environment. A quick and free battery inspection can tell you if the battery is taking a full charge or if it is weak and needs a replacement. It also is a good idea to change the battery every two to three years to prevent dead batteries while on long rides.