Keeping Your Motorcycle in Top Condition

The pleasure and thrill of riding on the open road in a motorcycle is unforgettable. It brings a different kind of freedom, fun and excitement for riders. There are no seatbelts to restrict your movement, no feeling of being contained inside. You ride with the wind.

However, nothing is worse than encountering an accident while you are riding a motorcycle. As much as the double pleasure and fun that you get from riding motorcycles instead of a car, injuries and damages tend to be doubly worse if you encounter an accident involving such.

According to statistics of last year, in the United States alone, there had been more than 3,000 fatal and catastrophic motorcycle accidents. In the United Kingdom, the statistics are as terrifying.

It is understandable why every single motorcycle accidents are catastrophic, especially if it is a vehicle versus motorcycle crash accident. With nothing else to absorb the force of impact, motorcycle riders are usually the ones who suffer much.

Now, if you are a motorcycle rider, you not only need to wear and use protective garments and gadgets on yourself and your motorbike. You also need to know the predictable causes of motorcycle accidents. By being aware of the usual incidences, you may be able to prevent an accident from happening, or at least be alert enough to know what to do when you become involved in one.

Usual causes of motorbike crashes and accidents:

1. Poor maintenance – the most distinctive feature of the motorcycle is its two wheels. It is also the main reason why it is essentially more unstable if compared to cars and trucks. For this reason, the motorcycle need constant and careful maintenance to ensure that it will be safe when ridden out on the open road.

Even a somewhat misaligned tire can potentially cause a catastrophic motorcycle crash. Engine and brake failure is also a potential cause.

As such, constant checking to see if the motorcycle is at its top shape is needed. Replace bald and worn out tires. Always check the engine, brakes and other vital parts of the motorcycle.

If you cannot do the maintenance on your own, make sure to have someone with knowledge about motorcycles, a mechanic even to conduct a regular maintenance check.

2. Bad roads – treacherous roads that are already dangerous enough for cars and trucks can become fatal for motorcycles. Beware of roads with big potholes, loose gravel and sand.

Motorcycle riders that have no other choice than ride through bad roads must slow down and be alert to avoid accidents.

3. Road debris – blowouts due to pointed objects littered on the road must be prevented by keeping alert while driving through debris-filled roads.

Beware of oil leaks or spilled oil on the road, too.

4. Weather – passing through ice or rain is very dangerous for motorcycle riders. Always check the weather conditions before going out for a ride. It is wise judgment to avoid riding when the fog and snow is too thick or when there are torrential rains or heavy downpour.

5. Under influence of drugs or alcohol – if it is dangerous to be out driving on a car when drunk or loaded with drugs, it is doubly treacherous to ride out in a motorcycle.

Remember, much of the fun and excitement that can be had by motorcycle riding and being responsible and serious enough to be aware of the dangers.

A motorcycle needs to be stored away during the winter months if it’s too cold or icy in your area to ride it. Find out some things to do before storing the bike and a few motorcycle storage tips.

During the winter months, most people are not able to ride their motorcycles due to the cold, ice, and snow. If you aren’t going to be using it for a number of months, it’s best to store away your motorcycle for the winter. Learn tips that will help you better store your bike for the winter seasons keeping it protected. Before you do store your motorcycle, there are a few things that must be done.

You need to store the bike without the battery being connected. There will be a gradual draw of power all winter long. If the battery is left connected, it will most likely drain completely and your bike will not start up by the next spring.

Change the oil before winter. This is a good practice as it will be months before starting it up again. You want fresh and clean oil inside during this time and not used up dirty oil.

To protect the finish, you have a few options. Wax the motorcycle as it will help give a small layer of protection to the paint work. You can also buy a motorcycle cover which is actually the best option. The cover will protect not just the paint work, but the engine components as well.

When storing your motorcycle, you need a place to put it. It’s best to use a controlled stable environment without too much fluctuation in temperature. A standard garage should be fine in most cases, but make sure that you store the bike away from the garage door.

If you do not have a garage, keep it out of direct sunlight as you don’t want parts of the motorcycle to fade. It will also help to keep everything on the bike at a more constant temperature.

Keep the motorcycle off the ground. This is good for the tires. The floor will be really cold and can damage the lifespan of your tires if you don’t. This can be done with just cardboard. You need to keep it up even higher if you have issues with any flooding or snow. Just a few inches should be fine for this. Remember to give your bike a full check after the winter before using it again.