Maintaining your motorcycle’s engine is very important for your safety and to keep it in its best running condition. Performing regular and proper maintenance on the engine will also ensure that you will enjoy your ride for a long time. In addition, it would help you a lot in the future if you keep a record of the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance instructions.

In this post, we will be talking about some of the necessary motorcycle engine maintenance tips.

1. Change your motorcycle’s engine oil at 3,000 miles or 6 monthly intervals.
2. Use the fuel grade that is recommended by your motorcycle’s manufacturer.
3. Change the motorcycle fluid depending on the manufacturer’s guidelines.
4. Inspect your motorcycle’s chain twice a month or every 500 to 700 miles.
5. Replace your motorcycle’s spark plugs immediately if you see they are badly corroded or dirty in appearance.

We do recommend that you keep a maintenance schedule to ensure that your engine will improve its performance and remain mechanically sound. As we all know, proper maintenance on the engine will prevent you from undergoing an expensive repair, so it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Motorcycle Engine Maintenance Tips

Motorcycle Engine Oil

Depending on the model, your motorcycle’s engine oil should be changed at intervals of 3,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first. Lubrication is a very important factor in motorcycle care, and the engine oil will keep the engine fully lubricated. In addition, it helps to decrease the noise generated, keeps the other engine parts cool, and it also acts as a piston seal.

For the engine oil to work properly, it should be of good consistency. Remember that it cannot be too thick because it will not be able to go through the tight moving components of the motorcycle’s engine, which needs proper lubrication. It cannot also be too thin because it will not be able to separate the parts. With this, choosing the engine oil is as vital as the frequency of changing it.

In addition, some models do require you to apply lubrication on the steering-head bearings, suspension linkages, wheel bearings, and swing arm. With this, you need to turn the bearings very slowly using your hand and then inspect the wheel bearings at least once a year. Lastly, you might want to check the fork oil, which certainly would need changing every couple of years.

Motorcycle Fuel

For your motorcycle to operate as smoothly as possible, you should also take into consideration the type of fuel you put in it. It may require you to use a higher-grade fuel, depending on the engine malfunction. However, you need to keep in mind that using a higher-grade fuel just for the sake of increasing the motorcycle’s overall performance is not recommended.

You should know that an increase in octane does not necessarily equate to high performance and longevity. With this, we do advise that you only use the fuel grade that is recommended by your motorcycle’s manufacturer. Who knows, it may also cause potential and permanent damage to your engine because of compatibility issues.

Motorcycle Fluids

Depending on the manufacturer’s guidelines, changing the fluid is another important maintenance procedure that you should do, especially while your motorcycle is under warranty. You may not know this yet, but using the wrong fluid, including automobile oil, instead of the recommended oil for your motorcycle could easily void the warranty.

You might also want to check the brake fluid, which is responsible for the brake’s accuracy. If you see that the level is already low, it might result in a loss of compression, which eventually leads to the loss of braking. Another thing, you need to check the battery fluid level. If it appears to be dry, it will not be able to function properly.

You may be able to find fluid engine replacements from your manufacturer’s local dealership.

Motorcycle Chain

If you do not ride your motorcycle frequently, you would want to visually inspect the chain two times a month or every 500 to 700 miles. If you are not familiar yet, the chain’s function is to transfer the power coming from the engine to the rear wheel. With this, you need to clean and adjust it, if necessary, in order to maintain its safe operation.

Maintaining your motorcycle’s chain would mean making sure that it has the correct amount of slack, especially at its tightest spot. Too much tension would likely cause problems with the wheels, as well as the gearbox bearings. One other tip would be lubing up the chain right after you go for a ride while it is still warm.

There could be disastrous consequences if you fail to regularly check your motorcycle’s chain. Not doing so would probably cause serious malfunction to your motorcycle, and as the one riding the bike, it could also lead to serious injuries and abrasions.

Motorcycle Spark Plugs

However small they may be, your motorcycle’s spark plugs are essential to its overall performance. If you see that they are badly corroded or dirty in appearance, it would be in your best interest to replace them immediately to avoid wear. Before you proceed with maintaining the spark plugs, ensure that the motorcycle has cooled down for about 2 hours.

You may try dusting off the old spark plugs. After, unscrew them using a socket for spark plugs or ratchet, and then try inspecting them. If it appears to be orange, then it is fine. However, if you see that it is white, it might be an indication that the engine is already overheating. On the other hand, a black spark plug would mean that the fuel and air mixture might be too rich.

It is important that you know that before you remove them, you should use a can of compressed air to blow in the hole where the plugs are placed. Doing so will effectively remove all dirt and debris so that they will not fall into your motorcycle’s engine once you remove the plug.

Motorcycle Air Filter

When your motorcycle’s air filter is clogged with dust and dirt, your bike will probably not be able to breathe properly, which could result in loss of power or mediocre performance from your motorcycle. You need to remove the filters physically and inspect them if there is any sign of clogging. If you see that they are already in bad condition, you would want to replace them immediately.

If you want your motorcycle to maintain its healthy condition, cleaning the air filter every 10,000 kilometers or so would be necessary. Air filters prevent dirt and dust from entering the engine. If you are residing in an area with lots of dust and dirt, you may be required to clean the filters as often as every week. For areas with less congested air, less maintenance would be required.

To be able to successfully perform maintenance on your motorcycle’s engine, we do recommend that you learn about the different parts and their functions first. Doing so will be able to make diagnosing and preventing future problems a lot easier. It would also be vital that you check the owner’s manual to see if there are any recommendations by the manufacturer.

Conclusion

Performing proper maintenance on your motorcycle’s engine is as important as maintaining the motorcycle itself. After all, it is the engine that does most of the work. Therefore, regular maintenance every 10,000 kilometers is necessary to keep it in its best operating condition. If you neglect this process, it might lead to unnecessary repairs, which could cost you a lot of money.

Are you an experienced motorcycle rider in need of new gear? Or are you just getting started with this fun sport and in need of essential motorcycle riding gear? Either way, we’ve got you covered. As a responsible motorcycle rider, you certainly need protective, as well as stylish and comfortable gear –boots, luggage, gloves, helmet, jacket, pants; you name it.

Riding a motorcycle will expose you to extreme and dangerous risks, so here are some of the most important riding essentials that you need to have:

1. Boots
2. Luggage
3. Gloves
4. Helmet
5. Jacket
6. Pants

In this post, we will be talking about everything you need to know about gears when riding a motorcycle. We will also be providing you with a detailed discussion on why they are important.

Why Do You Need Good and Protective Gear?

When choosing great motorcycle gear, two of the most important factors to watch out for are comfort and safety. Not only do you need to be protected from dangerous crashes, harsh weather, as well as injuries, and abrasions, but you also need to be comfortable while wearing them. Therefore, your chosen gear should not prevent you from moving freely.

Imagine yourself riding a motorcycle at the speed of 27.78 mph on a 100-meter race. If you were to fall at that speed, you would be likely to sustain some serious abrasion and injury, or worse, death. It is considered beyond our strengths to survive a risky crash without even a scratch. This is where motorcycle protective gears come into play.

Inevitably, you are going to go a lot faster when you are riding a motorcycle. Even if you ride around town, you will find yourself hitting the 50-mph mark. On a highway, on the other hand, you might even find yourself riding at more than 85 mph. As you may already know, your bones, organs, and skin are not designed to survive impacts at those given speeds.

In the event of a crash, expect to lose at least 1 millimeter of flesh for every mile per hour that you go exceeding 30 mph. So, if you crash at the speed of 70 mph, how much skin should you expect to lose? This is where we need to reiterate the importance of wearing the essential motorcycle riding gear whenever you ride your bike – to prevent life-threatening and serious abrasions.

Weather is another factor that needs to be considered. You might be wondering: What if it’s cold outside? Even when it feels like 50F outside, the wind blast might make it feel like it’s 25F out. Therefore, you need to have the appropriate apparel for any kind of weather, whether you only need a light jacket or a leather jacket.

When it’s hot outside, wearing a protective jacket can also be of great help, especially because it allows your body to use its natural evaporative cooling effect. When you are riding at great speeds, you can expect the wind to just blow the sweat off your skin. With this, even when you put on a jacket, boots, helmet, pants, and gloves, your body can still cool itself.

What are the Motorcycle Riding Essentials?

Thankfully, humanity has achieved to come up with protective clothing that prevents accidents while providing an easier and more comfortable ride. In this section, we will be discussing one by one the motorcycle riding essentials – from boots, luggage, and gloves to helmets, jackets, and pants. Who knows, you might even save a life when you have the knowledge about these protective gears.

1. Boots

When riding a bike, you need support for your ankles, feet, and legs, especially on uneven, unpredictable, and slippery surfaces. For that matter alone, a strong and sturdy pair of motorcycle boots that come with non-slip soles and great ankle support should only be considered the minimum requirements.

You would certainly want to protect your ankles and feet, as they are the most vulnerable in the event of a crash. To check what happens to your feet during a crash in any given pair of footwear, try grasping your toe and heel and then twisting them. If you don’t think that your feet will survive intact, it should also be assumed that they totally would not survive a crash.

When looking for a great pair of riding boots, you would want to get one that has soles that prevent twisting. Generally, this is achieved by the utilization of a metal plate that runs through the sole. In addition, strong toe boxes and heels lock your feet in place, thereby reducing the impact on those areas. Lastly, it should be laced up tightly to a point just above your ankles.

2. Luggage

A great set of motorcycle luggage has the potential to become extremely useful. You can totally use it when you go on a tour or when you need to move things from point A to point B or even shopping. While saddlebags are normally the way to go, you should not limit yourself. Luckily, you may increase its capacity by using a tail bag or a tank bag.

3. Gloves

You need your hands to do things, and unfortunately, they’re also the first ones to touch the ground in a crash. In order to protect your hands, a great pair of motorcycle gloves are considered essential. When choosing motorcycle gloves, go for those that can fully cover your palm, fingers, your wrists, and the back of your hands.

Retention straps found on the wrists should be there for the gloves to stay in their place. While this is a minimum feature, you should also consider looking for gloves that are sturdy, strong, and made of abrasion-resistant materials, as well as protected stitching. Lastly, you would also want armor, specifically for the knuckles.

4. Helmet

According to studies, at least 45% of the impacts to helmets happen around the face, specifically in the area not covered by a three-quarter-type or open-face helmet. Using this information, you would certainly want a full-face helmet, as they keep the wind from getting into your eyes, as well as bugs from getting into your mouth.

Helmets generally have a 5-year lifespan. After that period, the glue and everything else that keeps the bond intact will begin to deteriorate, therefore, decreasing safety. These helmets are designed to destroy themselves in the event of a crash, wherein they dissipate the energy that would otherwise be shifted to your head.

You need to be aware that even though the helmet could experience a crash without any scratches or any sign of damage, it can still sustain unseen effects. To be sure that the helmet is capable of protecting your head, you need to buy a new one from a well-known manufacturer and protect it in any way you can.

5. Jacket

A motorcycle jacket covers important and fragile parts of your body, including your back, arms, and ribs. When choosing a motorcycle jacket, you must take into consideration both comfort and safety. It should be noted; however, that fashion jackets do not necessarily protect you from crashes or wind blasts.

Motorcycle jackets can either be leather or textile. High-quality textile jackets can resist abrasion, just like a leather jacket. Some, on the other hand, can help you stay dry even in rainy weather. While leather jackets would give you the classic biker look, they do last a little longer and can fit better to your body.

Both textile and leather motorcycle jackets offer features that you won’t be able to find in normal types. You will notice that the seams are doubled up to protect the stitching against abrasion. In addition, they also provide a snugly fit, even in high-speed wind blasts. Both jackets also can seal out cold air, as well as let in air through the cooling vents.

6. Pants

Your regular jeans will never protect you in a motorcycle riding accident. Jeans made from Kevlar panels provide more abrasion resistance, but nothing compares to the protection a real pair of motorcycle pants provides. As with jackets, motorcycle pants are also available in either textile or leather, which also comes with CE-rated armor found on the shins, knees, and hips.

You would want to choose motorcycle pants that fit snugly but still allow full-leg articulation, as well as comfortable. Try them on first to see if it works for you. You also would want to check the compatibility, especially if you plan on zipping your pants to your motorcycle jacket. The best thing that you can do to check compatibility is to see if they are from the same manufacturer.

Conclusion

Whenever you ride a motorcycle, it exposes you to variations in the weather, as well as dangerous risks. Therefore, it requires your physical ability and full concentration. Fortunately, motorcycle gears exist to protect you in a crash. In fact, state laws consider it a necessity. Now that you have learned each gear’s importance, we hope that you will apply this knowledge to protect yourself.

Motorcycles are considered a very popular vehicular choice because of their good gas mileage and minimum maintenance requirement. It does not matter whether you use your foot or your hand to operate it, but one thing is certain: we all know that engaging the clutch will transfer power from the engine, the transmission, and the rear wheels.

A motorcycle clutch allows a continuous run of the motorcycle that triggers the connection of gears to the motorcycle’s engine. It is composed of a series of circular friction plates that appears with a hole right at the center. These plates are then perfectly fit into a clutch hub. When you pull the lever, the motorcycle clutch releases a pressure that prevents the friction plates from touching each other; thus, causing the flywheel to spin effectively.

In this post, we will be exploring the mystery behind the motorcycle clutch with the hope of answering this very question: how does a motorcycle clutch work? Believe it or not, many riders have no idea that pulling the lever found on the left clip-on disengages the motorcycle’s clutch. Therefore, digging into how motorcycle clutches work would be greatly beneficial for you.

What is a Motorcycle Clutch, and What are its Functions?

A motorcycle clutch is a mechanical coupling that permits the transmission of rotational energy, which can either be engaged or disengaged, ultimately isolating the motorcycle’s engine from the rest of the motorcycle components.

The motorcycle clutch allows the engine to spin while the transmission is standing still when you pull the clutch lever, thereby forcing them both to spin altogether when the lever is out. It might seem a little confusing at first, but we hope that you will be able to determine its function as we go on with the discussions.

As you may already know, all vehicular engines are equipped with a clutch. Its function is to momentarily disengage the engine apart from the transmission. While it is a very simple process, it is essential for a continuous run of a motorcycle. Once the motorcycle rider pulls the clutch lever and slowly releases it, the motorcycle will travel under power.

It is a very important component of your motorcycle. Without the process of disengaging, you will be required to turn the engine on at every stop. In addition, it allows every motorcycle rider to change gears conveniently and easily. Now that we have discussed how important a clutch is for a motorcycle, we will be digging deeper into what happens inside the clutch.

What Happens Inside the Clutch?

To allow a continuous run of the motorcycle, there must be a tool that triggers the connection of gears to the motorcycle’s engine. This is exactly what the clutch is made for. It is also composed of a series of circular friction plates that appears with a hole right at the center. These plates are then perfectly fit into a clutch hub.

Once you pull the lever, it releases a pressure that prevents the friction plates from touching each other. Thus, causing the flywheel to spin effectively. However, when you release the lever, these friction plates will return to their original position. The same process also takes place when you are changing gears.

By pulling the lever, you will be disengaging the transmission from the engine. After that, you may now shift the gear and finally release the lever. These friction plates will be able to take control of the ongoing process of disconnection, as well as the reconnection, as smoothly as possible. The more easily you control the friction plates, the easier your motorcycle ride will be.

What are the Different Types of Motorcycle Clutches?

Basically, there are three different types of motorcycle clutches: the slipper clutch, the centrifugal clutch, and the multi-plate clutch, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. In this section, we will be having a detailed review of these three types for you to be able to determine which one works the best for you.

1. Slipper Clutch

The slipper clutch is a modern clutch used mainly for racing. How it works is that when you come across a sharp curve at high speed, its response is to slow down a bit by shifting into a lower gear. It allows its rider to be able to switch from one gear to another in a short period. It also controls the rear wheel, especially when the rider is forced to step on the brakes when shifting gears.

The slipper clutch will improve the overall engine performance of your motorcycle if you have it installed correctly. To add, it will be able to prevent rear wheel lock-up when the engine breaks down or when the transmission fails. However, you should be informed that slipper clutches are very expensive and it might be difficult to install.

2. Centrifugal Clutch

As the name suggests, the centrifugal clutch utilizes centrifugal force to be able to ignite your motorcycle’s engine. Motorcycles with automatic transmissions have this type of clutch, which basically increases the rpm of the engine. A great feature of the centrifugal clutch is that once the engine reaches a specific speed, the clutch will automatically adjust the speed.

While centrifugal clutches are inexpensive and easy to use, they do come with a series of disadvantages. These clutches are not made for low-speed rides, and they are not specially designed to apply gradual brakes. In addition, they are prone to slippage, especially if the motorcycle is loaded heavily.

3. Multi-plate Clutch

Considered the most common type of motorcycle clutch, it works by utilizing a sequence of steel plates that are alternately stacked inside its housing. Once pressure is applied, the engine transfers power into the gearshift. It also comes in two types: wet and dry.

Multi-plate clutches reduce the amount of force; therefore, they allow smooth and quick shifting. It also lowers the overall load of the clutch. However, you should be aware that the oil causes haul in a wet clutch, causing lesser efficiency.

Conclusion

Getting yourself a motorcycle sure has a lot of benefits, but what’s important is your safety and comfort while you ride it. With this, it is essential that you choose one that will either meet or exceed your expectations. Once you get one, knowing how a clutch works would be advantageous for you to be able to perform proper care and maintenance on it.