Motorbike Care Guide: Keep Your Bike Healthy for a Smoother Ride

There is a special bond that every motorcyclist has with their motorbike; it is a kind of love that many people cannot understand, because well, they don’t own a motorbike. These people regard the act of riding as a special occasion and they have the highest form of admiration for their bike. But just like every enthusiast, one of the biggest concerns of motorcyclists is that their lovey is in top shape and looks good. Therefore, if you’re one of them, it is a must that you clean it from time to time so that you can ride it in its full shine and splendor. And since the air is warm again and the streets come to life, it would be a shame not to give your bike its much needed care before taking it out on the streets. Let’s take a look at some of the parts that you need to pay most attention to and the way you should use motorbike care products on them.

Take Care of the Paint

In order to keep the paint in its best condition, make sure to regularly use wax. This is important as it helps protect and preserve the lacquer and stops water from spreading into gaps, crevices and holes where metal parts are prone to oxidation. Polish contains some abrasive ingredients which wax does not, so in cases when your motorbike has a worn hazy look or has some scratches, use polish to remove them and restore its good looks. Covering it with wax only will be temporary, so make sure to use them in the following sequence: wash, polish and then wax to seal everything in.

The Importance of the Chain

For the chain to be working in optimal condition, make sure to remove all types of dirt that gets stuck on it (especially grit) as it can infiltrate links and increase friction, which in turn will cause a grinding effect. When applying motorbike care products, make sure to immediately scrub them off as many of them dry very quickly. This is important so that they do not leave grime on the chain. Furthermore, it is essential that you lube your chain to prevent corrosion, stop friction, as well as to increase its lifetime. But before lubing it, clean the chain so that you do not seal any dirt it may contain as well as not to reduce the lube spray’s effectiveness.

Know Your Disc Brakes

Probably one of the most important parts of your motorbike to take care of to in order to ensure maximum security while riding – the brakes. When braking, the pads engage the disc causing metal particles to fling off. These are small iron particles which are not yet oxidised and can easily stick to some other metal parts causing flash rust. Nevertheless, do not worry much about it as the natural oxidation layer on the disc can be removed by braking, leaving a plain iron disc which is prone to oxidation.