When you're new to motorbikes and mechanics, the word maintenance can be frightening. Not. To. Panic. Taking care of your bike involves simple checks and regular maintenance.

Tyre pressure and condition

As they teach you at driving school, an over-inflated tyre means a risk of poor grip and, consequently, a risk of crashing.

An under-inflated tyre means a loss of handling, because the bike will feel much heavier. Here's a useful tool for checking tyre pressure: a pressure gauge. You can find manual or digital tyre pressure gauges.

Checking the condition of your tyres is the quickest check, yet it's essential for trouble-free driving. Slide your finger over the wear indicator, look out for any unidentified objects that may have embedded themselves in your tyre, check whether the tyre is cracking. In short, if you notice anything abnormal, it's best to change your tyre. Safety should always be your first concern. Discover the range of tyres available on moto-vision.com.

 

Checking your oil level and changing your oil

Start by keeping your motorbike upright, with the engine cold or stopped for at least 10 minutes. Your oil level should be between the minimum and maximum levels. If there isn't enough oil, think about topping up. If your oil level drops regularly, it could indicate an engine problem. And that's not good. As you can imagine, the best thing to do in this kind of situation is to go and see a specialist.

Don't forget to change your oil and filters regularly. As a general rule, engine oil should be changed every 6,000 km or so. After that, it all depends on how much you use your car, how many kilometres you drive and so on. If you feel up to doing it yourself, you'll find all the essentials for a successful oil change on Moto Vision.


Chain maintenance

Taking care of your chain and checking its condition is very important. On average, depending on your riding style, you should grease your chain every 500 km to 1,000 km. If you clean your motorbike with a hose or ride in the rain, you'll need to grease it. We recommend the Ipone chain cleaning kit.

 

Our latest tips

  • Warm-up time: remember to respect your motorbike's warm-up time and don't set off with a cold engine, and even less so like a brute. This time allows the engine to reach a certain temperature, which is ideal for the engine to run smoothly. Remember to take it easy for the first few kilometres, even if the warm-up time has been respected. This will ensure the longevity of your motorbike.

 

  • Parts changed: when changing consumables (brakes, tyres, etc.), take it easy. New tyres have a layer of paraffin that slides off. For the first 50 kilometres, take it easy! The same goes for the braking system: new brake pads or discs don't necessarily brake very well at first. Repeat, take it easy and increase your safety distances!

 

  •  Service manual and specialists: if you have the slightest question, don't hesitate to consult your service manual. If you can't find the answer to your questions, go and see a professional.

 

Don't hesitate to post your tips in the comments section!