Do-It-Yourself Motorcycle Maintenance Checklist

If you've ever owned a vehicle, you're probably aware that occasional tune-ups and maintenance are imperative to keep it in good shape for the long haul. Motorcycles are no exception to this rule. However, if you find yourself going to a mechanic for every little task and job, the money you're spending is going to add up really quickly. To save yourself some of that money and also gain a better understanding of your bike, consider doing a few of these routine maintenance tasks on your own. For more information, visit our Burbank, California, location, also serving Pasadena and Glendale, California.

Changing the Air Filter

Your motorcycle's air filter has the important duty of protecting the engine from debris, but over time, it can accumulate so much gunk that it becomes clogged and dirty itself. When this happens, the filter won't be able to do its job as well, and the performance of your bike will suffer. Roughly every 10,000 miles, you'll want to switch this filter out for a new one, which you can do by getting into the bike's air box. With some motorcycles, it's really easy to access the air filter, but with certain models you may need to remove a few components. Just make sure you put them back properly once you're finished.

Changing the Oil

Changing the oil is one of the most crucial parts of proper motorcycle maintenance. Check your owner's manual to confirm how often your bike needs it—usually it will be every few thousand miles. After warming your bike up a bit, you'll need to remove the drain and oil fill plugs and let the used oil drain into a pan. Remove the oil filter, as well. After the oil has drained, install a new filter and then use a funnel to refill the oil tank with the proper amount.

Monitoring the Tires

It's also important to keep an eye on your motorcycle's tires, to ensure that they have proper tread and air inflation. You can use a tire gauge to confirm that the tires have the proper PSI (pounds per square inch), which should be written on the sidewall of each one. If it's too low, simply use an air compressor, which can be found at almost any gas station, to restore it to the proper PSI.

Not only will keeping up with these tasks keep your motorcycle in good condition for years to come, but understanding how to do them will make you a more responsible vehicle owner overall. To learn more about all things motorcycle-related, pay us a visit at BMW Motorcycles of Burbank. We're located in Burbank, California, and also serve both Pasadena and Glendale.