Bike Maintenance

Even if you plan to take your motorcycle back to the dealers for all its servicing, there are a few essential motorcycle maintenance jobs you should be doing regularly for yourself. If it’s chain-driven, you need to keep the chain unclogged and lubricated, so invest in some lubricant or “lube”. If that seems like a lot of hassle, think about getting an de-greaser. Tyre pressures can make an enormous difference to how your motorbike or scooter handles. Because forecourt air pumps are deigned for cars they’re not always easy to use on two wheels, but you can buy pressure gauges and pumps to use at home.

If you don’t ride for a while, especially in winter, you may find your battery goes flat. It’s not generally hard to take a motorcycle battery out and bring it back to life with a trickle charger, so consider keeping one in the cupboard just in case.

And don’t forget basic stuff like keeping your pride and joy clean. Specialist bike cleaning products aren’t expensive, and will do a better job than washing up liquid at keeping the salt, flies and other nasties at bay. Because we don’t advise riding through a car wash, however good your waterproofs are!