Motorcycle Maintenance on the Road

There’s nothing quite like hitting the open road on your bike. Whether you’re going on a long-distance ride or commuting to work, you can count on your motorcycle to get you to your destinations in comfort and style. However, you can never be sure what situations will arise on the way. Some planning and preparation can go a long way in diffusing a situation before it becomes a major obstacle or an emergency. We’ve crafted this brief guide to handling motorcycle maintenance issues on your ride.

Prepare Yourself for an Emergency

One of the best things you can do to tackle an emergency on the road is to make sure that you’re properly equipped. You should have a repair kit including wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, tire patches, a portable air compressor, and a fuel siphon. Of course, it’s essential to know how to use them properly. This way, you’ll be ready to take care of minor issues that occur every now and then.

Move Out of Traffic

Once you find that there’s a problem with your motorcycle, your first step is to quickly get out of the way of other motorists. If there’s a major issue, you’ll want to pull over into the shoulder or median right away. If you can safely take an exit, go ahead. Signal your distress to other commuters and be extremely cautious as you navigate through traffic.

Fix or Flee?

Fixing your bike is the best method when you are equipped to tackle the problem and you are in a safe place to do so. Even if you know how to fix your motorcycle, you won't want to make the repairs if you are stuck on a narrow shoulder with cars zipping past you at high speeds.

Fleeing is the best way if it's not safe to fix your motorcycle or you’re not equipped to do the repairs. If there is a gas station or mechanic nearby, you can make your way over there. Or you can call up a friend with a truck or trailer to get you and your bike back home or to a repair shop. You can also contact a roadside assistance service to come and fetch you.

Preventive Maintenance

When you proactively take care of your motorcycle, it tends to function smoothly. Perform regular maintenance on your bike, including oil changes, tire pressure checks, examining the battery for corrosion, tightening the chain, filter replacement, and clutch or brake adjustments. If you’re going to hit the road for the long haul, you’ll want to let a professional service your bike, as they’ll be able to thoroughly check the various parts.

We hope you found this guide useful! If you are looking to shop motorcycles for sale near Springfield, MO, or Rogers, AR, head over to Hideout Harley-Davidson®. Our experts will be happy to help you with whatever you need, from answering your queries to giving advice. We are located in Joplin, MO, so stop by our dealership today.