A Checklist for Motorcycle Maintenance

Maintaining your motorcycle helps keep you and everyone else on the road safe. Make sure your bike is up to the task. If you work your way through this checklist, then you’ll hopefully have no unwelcome surprises. Please make sure you check everything, especially if your bike is fresh out of long-term storage.

Brakes, Suspension, and Tires

Brakes

Check the wear on your front and rear brake pads. Stopping distance is inversely proportional to how much wear your brake pads have. Plus, once your brake pads get thin, they will eventually wear out and destroy the brake rotors

Tires

Check your motorcycle tires and make sure they're inflated to the manufacturer's recommendations. If you don't know your manufacturer's recommendations, they can usually be found in your owner's manual. Also, make sure your tires have plenty of tread remaining and are replaced every 5 years on average.

Lights, Mirrors, and Controls

Lights

Start by making sure your headlights and tail lights work. Then, move on to your turn signals and running lights. Replace the bulbs on any lights that don't work.

Mirrors

The mirrors on your motorcycle should be tightly secured yet still easily adjustable.

Controls

Also, make sure that the throttle of your motorcycle isn't sticking open. That could be a disaster when going down the highway.

Fluid Levels

Oil

Consult your owner's manual to find out what the oil level should read on your sight glass. If it's low, top it off.

Brake

The brake fluid reservoirs on motorcycles are transparent so that you can see the level and make sure that you have plenty of fluid. If the level is off, consult a mechanic. Brake bleeding can be tricky.

Coolant (if applicable)

Some motorcycles are air-cooled, while others are liquid-cooled in a manner similar to automobiles. If yours is liquid-cooled, check the fluid level when the engine is cold, never hot. heed the warning signs on the caps.

Your Helmet

Your helmet is the most important thing to check. Always inspect it before riding season for any cracks, scratches, or indentations. Helmets are rated for only one impact. So, if it's been dropped on a hard surface or had any kind of impact, replace it.

If you are in the market for a motorcycle, check out the selection at Windy City Motorcycle Company. We serve those in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Chicago, Illinois, and Detroit, Michigan.