Motorcycling is a passion. Any motorcyclist can attest to that. While driving a motor vehicle is intended to get from one place to the next, and it is therefore more about the practicality of the vehicle, motorcyclists are the ones who are passionately and fascinated by the sporty two-wheeler. No wonder: riding a motorcycle gives you a feeling of freedom and makes everyday worries fade away quickly. In addition, motorcycles fascinate with their sporty design and their outstanding performance, also because of their low weight compared to a car.
Motorcycles, however, need the right care in order to be able to promise safety and performance on the road for a particularly long time. Regular maintenance and a TÜV are also necessary here to rule out that the vehicle poses a danger to road users.
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The maintenance of the motorcycle – what is the difference between minor and major inspection?
A motorcycle should be taken to a workshop once every 12 months to have all assemblies and units checked. A distinction is made here between the small and the large inspection. The small inspection here includes checking the clutch play, as well as the brake pads and the air filter. A visual inspection is usually sufficient. It is therefore sufficient if you have the necessary experience and basic knowledge of motorcycles. Small inspections are therefore often carried out independently by the motorcycle owners. However, every motorcycle owner should be aware that workshop specialists have better trained eyes and are therefore better able to identify defects and problems.
The major inspection, on the other hand, requires not only basic knowledge and the necessary competence, but also special tools. Because during the major inspection, brake fluid or coolant, for example, is replaced here. Since no mishaps must occur during this work, which is crucial for the assemblies of the motorcycle, a visit to a workshop is definitely recommended for the major inspection.
Carry out maintenance yourself – what should you pay attention to?
As mentioned, some motorcyclists prefer to carry out the small inspection themselves. As far as the major inspection is concerned, it is better to trust the experts of a workshop at this point. However, some motorcyclists also save money by having the inspection carried out in a professional workshop, but by purchasing the components that need to be replaced themselves and thus saving money in the purchase price of the components. This means that only the hourly wages of the professionals in the workshop are due and you can be sure that competent work is being done.
However, if you have now decided to carry out the small or even the large inspection yourself, you should plan this work down to the last detail. Think carefully about which steps to take and in what order. Buy necessary components in advance before you start work. Also, before starting work, watch helpful videos on Youtube or order motorcycle work manuals so that you have the necessary steps already in your head. It's also helpful to know someone to turn to for help if you run into problems.
Also make sure that the motorcycle is stable during maintenance work. You should have a reliable main stand for this. A motorcycle tipping over during the work would be fatal and could irreparably destroy important units. So avoid this at all costs with the help of a secure footing.
How can I ideally care for my motorcycle so that it stays in good condition for a particularly long time?
In addition to regular motorcycle maintenance, which consists of minor and major inspections, proper care of this vehicle is also an absolute must in order to be able to assume smooth functioning and absolute safety on the road. You should know that the motorcycle is much more exposed to the classic deterioration and wear and tear than an automobile. Among other things, because the technology and the most important units of a motorcycle are regularly directly exposed to the most diverse weather conditions. So if you prepare yourself to take care of your motorcycle regularly, you can expect longer driving pleasure and a higher resale value in the near future.
For example, you should remember to regularly smear the motorcycle chain with oil . But cleaning the rims can also ensure that scratches do not occur so quickly. And as for the winter – what can be done to ensure that your motorcycle gets through the winter in the best possible way?
Most bikes are de-registered for the winter and given a winter break for good reason. Also for safety reasons, as riding a motorcycle in winter certainly involves risks. Icy roads or wet leaves on the road can quickly become the cause of a fatal accident. It is therefore better to leave your motorbike in the winter. But before the winter break comes, there are a few things you can do to take care of your motorcycle:
Fill the tank to the brim to prevent rust from forming inside the tank. Also change the oil. Also spray the chain liberally with grease – as already described above. You can also remove the battery and store it somewhere that is both warm and dry. In addition, the motorcycle itself can be treated with a preservative spray to protect against the formation of rust. Also pump up the tires before the winter break – and a little more than specified in the manual. So at the beginning of spring, when the first ride with your motorcycle is imminent, you can be sure that the tire pressure is not too low after all these months.
The conclusion and a tip from CarTipsandmore: Every motorcyclist knows how important maintenance and care of the motorcycle is. When it comes to minor and major inspections, some people prefer to entrust their motorcycles to specialists in a workshop. Then you know for sure that high-quality work will be done on the vehicle. Still other motorcycle owners prefer to do the work themselves. With the right know-how and the necessary equipment, this is definitely possible. The care of the motorcycle, on the other hand, can also be carried out by laypersons without hesitation. CarTipsandmore recommends that you check the function of the low beam, high beam, rear lights and brake lights, as well as turn signals, horn and license plate lights after the winter break. Then the trip can start again in the spring without hesitation.