Sep 4, 2023 | Motorcycle, Motorcycle Maintenance
Your tires are an important part of your motorcycle’s performance. However, how do you know when it’s time to consider tire replacements? Knowing the signs can help you get new tires before your old ones completely go bad…
Tire Replacements: When Is It Time?
Depth of tread
Checking your tires’ depth of tread is the most obvious sign if you’ll need tire replacements. Too much wear on your treads can lead to safety issues and even blowouts. However, it’s actually pretty simple to check if your tread has gotten too low. The least amount of acceptable tread on a tire is 1/32 of an inch, or 1 mm.
Therefore, you can actually use a penny to check your tread levels! All you need to do is find the most worn part of your tires (usually in the center). Place the penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head going first. If any part of the tread reaches the head, you have at least 2/32 of an inch. Knowing these handy tricks are key to timing your tire replacements.
Damage
Damaged tires are unsafe tires. If there are major flaws on your tires, it’s probably time to consider tire replacements. That’s why it’s a good idea to regularly check your tires for any flaws. Keep an eye out for any bumps. broken cords, or uneven wear. These are some of the more harder-to-spot signs of damage than holes or tears. If you notice any of these flaws, then you’ll know it’s time to get new tires.
Age
Tire age is also something you should keep in mind when it comes to tire replacements. Even if the tires have only a few miles on them, they can still deteriorate over time. This can be seen in some obvious and not-so-obvious ways. If your tires are becoming “weather checked”, then that’s a good sign they’re getting up there in age.
However, some tire manufacturers put antioxidants in their tires to help prevent this. Still, the integrity of your tire could still be at risk if it’s too old. If you know it’s been quite a while since you got your tires, you should consider getting tire replacements.
Having good tires is an important aspect of proper motorcycle safety. Older tires are more unsafe and more accident-prone than their newer counterparts. If you notice those signs of wear or age on your tires, try to get some tire replacements as soon as you can.
Jun 3, 2023 | Motorcycle, Motorcycle Maintenance
Every rider hopes that their bike will run without issue. However, there will be some times where something might wear out or break and you’ll have to do some maintenance. However, buying parts can be a bit tricky. That’s why it’s important to know some general guidelines to follow when doing some parts shopping…
Buying Parts: What You Should Know
Manufacturer vs. aftermarket
The first thing to consider when buying parts is if you’d want a manufacturer part versus an aftermarket part. However, many people don’t fully know what the differences between these two types of parts are. Manufacturer parts are parts that come straight from the bike manufacturer. These parts will fit your bike exact, but can be a bit more pricey.
Aftermarket parts are parts sold by other companies. These parts can fit your bike, and others as well. These parts also tend to be cheaper, but this comes with some of them not being as well put together or tested as their manufacturer counterparts. Ultimately, it’s a good idea to do some digging to figure out which part type is best for your needs.
Replacements vs. upgrades
Another common mistake people make when buying parts is getting confused between replacement parts and upgrades. Replacement parts will ensure that your bike acts the same as it did before. After all, the designers intended for these parts to fully replace a broken part only. However, things get trickier with upgrades.
Upgrade parts will change how a certain part of your bike handles. This could include your bike’s speed, traction, exhaust, and many more. Many popular aftermarket parts tend to be upgrades. Remember to keep that in mind when looking for parts, so you get the right kind of part for your needs.
Shop smart
It’s important to be a smart shopper when you’re buying parts. You’ll want to make sure you buy your parts from reputable dealers or sellers. Buying from other riders can be cheaper, but those parts could be used, or have other issues which you may not know about. You also wouldn’t be able to return those parts should you run into a problem.
Also, don’t just buy the first part you see. Do some looking around, and ask others for their opinions. A good idea is to check the reviews for a part before you buy. That way, you’ll see if there are any serious problems that you should know about.
Jan 15, 2023 | Motorcycle, Motorcycle Maintenance
In a lot of pop culture, motorcycle gangs get a bad (or a bad boy) wrap. For example, Sons of Anarchy depicts an outlaw motorcycle gang. In other movies like the John Travolta movie Wild Hogs, some clubs are really just a few friends who get together to ride semi-regularly. What do these two clubs have in common? Biker communities are full of people who come together for the same purpose.
Biker Communities: Finding New Family
Who?
You don’t need to be an outlaw to join a club. Actually, it’s probably best that you aren’t an outlaw at all. Biker communities are a good way to feel at home when you’re on the road. Your friends from your local group become your family. This family will become someone you rely on throughout your biking days.
Where?
Biker communities are all over. They can be big or small, just a couple of people can be considered a club. The best part is, nothing has to be official. Just calling someone to join your ride will be good enough. You can have a destination or not, it’s up to you.
When?
There may be scheduled rides some days, or impromptu “it’s beautiful outside, let’s go for a ride” rides. Either way, enjoy them when you can. If you decide a more formal club works best for you, try finding biker communities with regular rides. If you can’t, you can start your own! This way, you can add a new patch to your vest or jacket.
Why?
Lastly, do we really need to answer the why? Biker communities are a great way to feel more comfortable on the bike or on the road. They can give you confidence and a community of support. There are few other people who will give you the security that your community does.
You don’t need to be part of a gang to be a part of one of the plenty biker communities that are available. Joining the club will bring a new appreciation for your bike, the road, and the community it offers.
May 3, 2020 | Motorcycle, Motorcycle Maintenance
When you have a recreational vehicle of any sort, you are probably going to need a tool or two from time to time. Owning some of common motorcycle repair tools that are get regular use will help for future projects or adjustments. After all, you don’t want to have to take your motorcycle into the shop for every little thing, do you?
Motorcycle Repair Tools: Commonly Used Equipment
Torque Wrench
A torque wrench comes in handy all of the time, making it a must-have for your tool box. This wrench works on everything (not just motorcycles) and helps keep you from stripping or breaking your bolts. A torque wrench is also one of the motorcycle repair tools that will keep you from over-tightening your bolts.
Breaker Bar
Almost opposite of a wrench, you’ll need this to loosen bolts. This tool should be used with great caution, as it can sometimes lead to rounding off fasteners. The breaker bar can be one of your best motorcycle repair tools, or it can be your worse enemy. The key to being successful with this tool is to learn how to use it properly first.
Magnetic Stick
A magnetic stick is a moveable, sometimes extendable, magnet. That’s all. This tool helps in garages, in homes, in cars, and anywhere you might lose small items. This is another of the motorcycle repair tools that you can use for things other than bike repair.
Screwdrivers
Having a full set of screwdrivers can really be a lifesaver. Since screws come in all sizes, screw drivers are not one-size-fits-all. This set of motorcycle repair tools will save a headache when you keep missing the screw because your driver is too big!
Other Items
Other items that are handy to have are things like extra oil pans, drop cloths and rags, and disposable gloves. Gloves will really come in handy (pun intended) when doing work on chains and other parts of the bike that have thick lubricant. The plus side is, most repair tools also serve other purposes.
To finish this off, we will just say: yes, you need to add these tools to your collection. Having your own motorcycle repair tools will save you a ton of money when it comes to doing simple work!
Apr 16, 2020 | Motorcycle, Motorcycle Maintenance
It’s always exciting to get a new motorcycle. It’s also important to break in the bike properly. However, there’s a lot of debate out there over the “right” way to break in a bike. As it turns out, there is a way to do so which will benefit your bike in the long run…
New Motorcycle: Getting Used to It
The break-in period
First, it’s important to know what the break-in period for a new motorcycle is. Generally, this period is during the first 500-1,000 miles of your ride on the bike. However, it’s always a good idea to check the bike’s manual to see what the manufacturer considers to be the bike’s break-in mileage.
Breaking in your new bike is important to help get your bike running at its full potential. The friction in your engine is at its highest during this period. This is because the components haven’t been “bedded in” yet, so you’ll have lesser engine performance until they are.
What to avoid
According to some riders, you should break in a new motorcycle aggressively. They claim this style of breaking in your motorcycle will prevent the engine from being too weak. However, this style does more harm to your engine instead.
The increased friction in your engine produces more metal shavings than in a broken-in bike. These shavings can then get into your engine oil. Given enough time, and you could end up with these shavings clogging up your oil filter. They could even make their way back into the more crucial parts of your engine!
Break-in properly
Instead of the previous method, the best way to break in a new motorcycle is by keeping your throttle low. Try to avoid going over 3/4th of your throttle during those first 500-1,000 miles. You should also avoid high engine speeds, so don’t take your bike out on the highway just yet.
You’ll also want to ride as safely as possible. That means avoiding hard stops, fast starts, and rapid acceleration as best as you can. While you can increase your engine speed to the rev limit for a short period of time, you should do this in quick, one-off goes. Don’t make it a habit to constantly rev your bike up all the way while breaking it in.
Sep 28, 2019 | Motorcycle, Motorcycle Maintenance
Riding anxiety can affect several different kinds of riders. Maybe you’re a new rider anxious to get on the road for the first time. Or, maybe you’re coming back to riding after an accident. Whatever the case might be, this anxiety can leave you second-guessing about going out. That’s why it’s important to know how you can tackle these riding jitters…
Riding Anxiety: Beat those Biking Jitters
Figure out why you’re anxious
The first step in handling riding anxiety is figuring out where it comes from. There are many reasons why this kind of anxiety can pop up. For example, it could come from the crash statistics for motorcycles. Motorcycles can be a bit more dangerous than traditional cars, which can give some pause before they ride.
However, it could also come from a lack of experience. If you haven’t had much or any motorcycle experience, you could be quite anxious over making mistakes. Not only do you not want to look out of your element, but you also don’t want to make any mistakes which could be dangerous.
Think…but don’t overthink
Once you’ve determined where your riding anxiety is coming from, it’s time to think about ways to handle it. For starters, if you’re worried about accidents, then take some steps to make yourself safer. Invest in some good gear, like helmets and jackets, and study why most accidents occur in the first place.
If you’re worried about making mistakes, then it’s a good idea to brush up on some motorcycle riding 101. There’s plenty of online resources you can find that’ll help you figure out what you should and shouldn’t be doing. You can also look for riding classes, which can give you a safer hands-on learning experience.
Experience is key
Of course, the only real way to overcome that riding anxiety is to get out there and ride. If you don’t, that anxiety will keep you from ever giving your bike a good shot. As with most things, the more experience you get riding, the more confident you’re going to feel as you ride.
Still, you don’t have to go crazy when starting out. You can begin with just some simple rides around your neighborhood or town. Once you begin to feel confident there, you can take your riding to the highways and beyond.
