Used Motorcycle Maintenance Tips

Buying a used motorcycle is a wise financial strategy if you’re on a tight budget. By taking advantage of depreciation, you can grab a bike at a much more affordable price. Even though you can land yourself an incredible deal, keeping your pre-owned motorcycle on the road requires more than just luck. Regular maintenance will significantly improve the lifespan of the bike. By being proactive about upkeep, you can greatly reduce the cost of repairs.

We've created a brief guide on used motorcycle maintenance. Keep reading to learn more. And if you encounter anything out of the ordinary or just want any information about used Harley-Davidson® motorcycle maintenance, feel free to contact us at Jim Moroney's Inc. in New Windsor, New York. We also serve all those in Newburgh and Cornwall.

Consider Getting a Tune-Up

A comprehensive inspection of your motorcycle, at least once a year, will help identify any current problems as well as potential ones down the line. A good tune-up includes checking spark plugs and air filters, inspecting brakes and drive belts, testing electrical systems, and replacing worn parts such as fuel lines or hoses. Make sure to include getting a tune-up done as part of your used motorcycle maintenance schedule. This will help ensure that everything is in good working order before taking your bike out on long rides or trips.

Keep It Clean

Dirt and grime can build up on your bike over time, which can lead to corrosion and other issues. Regularly washing and waxing your motorcycle can help protect its finish and prevent damage to the parts.

Brakes

Brakes are critical for your riding safety and protect your bike from crashing with other vehicles. You'll be using your brakes to stop or slow down whenever obstacles appear on the road. Regularly checking your brakes is a critical step of used motorcycle maintenance. You will need to inspect the brake fluid levels and top off when needed. Also, check the condition of the brake pads, and if they are worn out, have them replaced. In most cases, grinding of the pads signifies extensive wear.

Tires

Tires on used motorcycles have more tread wear, requiring regular inspection to confirm if the treads provide enough traction on the road. If not, they need to be replaced. The owner's manual is a great tool to guide you in determining when the tread is too low.

Also, always confirm your tire pressure to avoid over-inflation, which reduces contact with the road, and low pressure, which makes it hard for the tires to withstand the forces acting on them. You can use your manual to confirm the proper pressure. Use a pressure gauge to measure the pressure in the morning since checking this during the coolest part of the day results in the most accurate reading.

Oil

Checking your oil consumption is an essential part of used Harley-Davidson motorcycle maintenance. Simply pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean and insert it in. Then pull it out to get the reading as marked on the dipstick. The oil should have a golden color; otherwise, it needs to be replaced. Similarly, any gray powder floating on the oil signifies that engine parts are grinding upon each other and must be inspected. If there's no cause for alarm, you can simply top up the oil to the needed levels.

Battery

A preowned motorcycle's battery is bound to have some issues due to its length of service. Therefore, if the bike occasionally fails to start, the battery might need recharging. If you either replace the battery or recharge the existing one, yet the problem persists, your motorcycle might have a faulty alternator.

We hope that these used motorcycle maintenance tips have been useful. For service or maintenance assistance, contact our team at Jim Moroney's Inc. To see our inventory of preowned Harley® motorcycles, visit our location in New Windsor, New York. We also serve customers in Newburgh and Cornwall.