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How to Maintain Your Bike Before Taking a Road Trip
Do you have a bike? And are you planning to go away on a long trip to take a break from work and daily life? That sounds great, doesn’t it? But it’s important for you to remember that it’s not all a breeze when you choose to go on a long motorcycle trip. There are a lot of things to keep in mind before you actually start your trip.
One of the first things you must do is ensure that your bike is going to survive such a long trip. Because the last thing you want is to get stuck in an unknown area due to a breakdown. And the best wat to do this is to get a bike insurance. Going on a road trip with a motorcycle is very different from using a car, especially because you have space only for a few essentials.
So, here are 8 bike maintenance tips that you should take care of before going on a road trip:
1. Check all your paperwork
Even before you set out on your journey, make sure that all the paperwork for your bike (and for you as well!) is up to date. This means things like your driver’s license, motorcycle insurance, and vehicle registration documents are all valid and easy for you to access.
2. See if you need any add-ons to your insurance policy
When you are going on a road trip, you must ensure that your two-wheeler insurance is valid and that it has not expired. However, if it is time to renew your policy, consider getting a comprehensive policy, which covers a wide range of uncertainties like damages due to natural calamities like floods, personal accident to cover for yourself and more.
With this, you can also opt for some useful add-ons like breakdown assistance (to bail you out of trouble in case you’re stranded when your bike breaks down in an unknown place). Here is everything else you should know about your motor insurance coverage for a road trip.
3. Get enough oil for the engine
It might seem like a small thing, but it’s important that you check up on your engine oil before your journey. When the oil in your bike gets old or dirty, it will not function properly, so you might want to check the oil and add or change it as necessary.
Having the right kind of engine oil, and a correct amount will ensure that your engine is running smoothly, which is vital for long trips. If you think you need it a Consumables Cover will help you save on things like oil.
4. Check your tyres and wheels
Your tyres are probably one of the most important parts of your bike. Because you’re going to on the road for hours at a time, you should ensure that they are in the best condition possible. Make sure that all your tyres have the required pressure levels, and your wheels are both properly aligned.
While you’re doing this, you can also check your tyres for any punctures, as you only get two tyres, and you don’t have enough space to carry extra tyres!
5. Change your air filters
One maintenance tip that is often overlooked is to change your air filters. When you ride around with dirty air filters, it can stop fresh air from getting into your bike’s engine. This can affect how much fuel your engine will use, keeping in mind how much pollution there is today in the environment
So, this is a very important step, especially if your trip is through a dusty and dirty area as the dust can get trapped in the engine’s internal bearings and cylinders.
6. Check your brakes
Another part of your bike that you really want to make sure is in perfect shape are your brakes. Since we’re sure you don’t want your brakes to fail when you need them most, get them tested by an expert.
This way you will also know if you need to replace the brake fluid, and if your brake pads have become too thin and worn out and need to be replaced. So, get your brakes inspected at a garage before your trip, so that you know if any changes need to be made – they could literally save your life!
7. Get your batteries checked
Vehicle batteries are a little bit like your mobile phone – they need to be fully charged to work properly. This way you can be sure that all the electricals, like the brakes, headlights and taillights will work properly.
You can check your battery’s health with a multimeter or at a garage. This way, if you know that it is deteriorating you can get it changed (and avoid getting stuck in the middle of nowhere with a dead motorcycle).
8. Fill the tank with fuel
One last thing you should do before your trip is to fill up your tank with fuel. It’s best to do this the evening before you leave so that you don’t forget it in the middle of all the rush to get ready.
Even if your tank is half-full, it is always best to get it topped up before you leave as you don’t always know when you’ll be able to stop again. When you go to fill up your fuel, you can also quickly check the fuel filter and the fuel line to see if there are any signs of damage.
You want to make sure your motorcycle road trip is the best possible experience. So, it’s always good to give your bike a quick check before your journey. If you know what you’re doing you can do it yourself, otherwise it’s probably best to take it to a mechanic for an expert checkup.
Once all that is done, you’re ready to go off on your adventure. Now that everything is set, all that is left is for you to pack up your gear (and maybe any spares, and a tool kit) and some emergency medical supplies. Just remember to review your route before you leave on your exciting journey! 😀
