Bought A New Motorcycle? 3 Common Problems It May Have In The Future
If you just purchased a new motorcycle chances are slim you will start having problems right away. As it ages, however, things can start happening that would require repairs. This is why it can be helpful to learn of these different problems now so you can watch out for them and know what to do. Keep reading so you can keep your motorcycle on the road.
Dry Bike Chain
You must keep an eye out on the chain to ensure it is properly lubricated. You do not want it to dry out as it would damage it, such as break in areas. Fortunately, this is something easy to do. Purchase some lubrication made for bike changes and keep it on you so you can lubricate when needed.
Eventually the chain will wear out. To check for this, push up the middle of the chain with your hand, and then pull on the chain at the rear sprocket. The chain should be tight and you should not be able to pull it out from the sprocket. If you can, then it is time to replace the chain. In many cases, if the chain is worn out the rear and front sprockets are worn out also.
Contaminated Fuel
If you must put your motorcycle in storage, such as for the winter months, you must add a fuel additive to the tank, which will prevent the gas from going stale. If you do not do this, the gas in the tank will not only become stale but it will also clog up the fuel system.
If you get your motorcycle out in the spring and it does not start, this could be the problem. Take your motorcycle to a qualified motorcycle mechanic and they can remove the fuel contamination and clean the fuel lines for you.
Low Gas Mileage
If you find that you are not getting good gas mileage on your motorcycle, this can be due to many things. First, check the tires to ensure they have the proper pressure. If the pressure is low, your motorcycle has to work harder, which in turn causes it to use more gas. Check the pressure monthly to prevent this from happening.
Another thing that can affect gas mileage is the oil. If you do not change the oil when you are supposed to the oil becomes thick and dirty. This means the oil cannot move the parts in the engine as quick.
Refer to your motorcycle's user manual to determine how often you should change the oil, as well as the type of oil you should use.
Talk to a motorcycle mechanic to get more information about these things. They can also give you some tips on how to keep your motorcycle in great condition. Visit a site like http://www.monarchhonda.com for more help.