As a motorbike owner, it is important that you know how to properly care for and maintain your bike so that it stays in tip top condition and is enjoyable to ride. German motorbikes are engineered to the highest standard but it is still important that people perform regular maintenance because these are highly complex machines that need looking after.
While in some cases you will need to take your motorbike to a mechanic who can carry out the repairs, often you will find that you can do the work yourself provided that you have the right tools and there are lots of helpful guides which will show you every step involved with each maintenance task.
Electrical Work
Often, the work that needs to be done on a motorbike will be electrical. While this may be daunting, you will find that actually a lot of the electrical work can be done yourself provided that you have the right tools and common sense. Places like RS Components have all you need for motorcycle electrical work and it is then a case of making a reliable connection between two conductors. Crimped connections are quick and easy with no real skills required but you could also create a soldered connection which is a slightly old-fashioned but effective way to make a connection. German brands like BMW do not require as much electrical maintenance as other brands but you still need to look after the bike and know how to carry out basic maintenance and repairs just in case.
Tyres & Wheels
Tyres and wheels are, of course, incredibly important and you need to keep them in good condition so that you can ride safely each day. You should keep a lookout for signs of wear and damage and check the tread depth on a regular basis and replace a tyre if necessary. Additionally, you need to keep them topped up to the recommended levels at all times so that the bike runs efficiently.
Oil Change
It will depend on the motorcycle model but you should usually change the oil every 10,000km but keep in mind that more oil will be used in summer while it will last longer during the colder months of the year.
Filters
The air and oil filters will need changing every so often – you can usually find this out by looking in the bike manual. This is a simple and straightforward task that anyone can do but it is also one which is incredibly important for keeping the bike in tip-top condition at all times.
Brake Pads
You certainly don’t want to take any risks when it comes to the brake pads as these should be changed as soon as they become thinner than 2mm. You should also take a look at the brake lines for signs of wear and consider replacing them with stainless steel lines which can improve brake feel and are more durable than rubber.
German motorcycles are built to the highest standard but as an owner you still need to make sure that you take good care of the bike to keep it working efficiently and to get more out of it. The above tips should help you to do this and you will also find that working on your motorbike can be a rewarding experience.
