How To Look After Your Motorcycle?
Each biker has their own ideas as to how to maintain a motorcycle, from quick tips to bad tricks. In this article, we discuss some of the best DIY Motorcycle Maintenance hacks and which to avoid! Although some tasks may seem daunting when first attempting them, this quick guide aims to reduce the stress and enable top-quality results even if you consider yourself a motorcycle novice.
Bikers will pick up ideas and methods for motorcycle care along the road, sharing what they've learnt as they go. Just be wary when testing unprofessional advice, as it can sometimes cause more damage. Experienced and veteran bikers can offer more legitimate and educated advice, owing to their wealth of personal experiences with motorcycles.
Moreover, contacting a local Motorcycle dealership or specialist will provide you with professional advice. Our team at Jap & German Motorcycles have a wealth of industry experience to assist with your Motorcycle maintenance needs. Working with a trusted company gives confidence to the owner that their motorcycle is in good hands and will receive the highest quality of service or repairs.
DIY Motorcycle Maintenance Tasks
As with any DIY project, working on motorcycle repairs yourself can save a lot of money and create a great sense of personal satisfaction. Knowing you can take care of your motorcycle gives security and confidence. It'll be easier to notice if your bike is running at its best, and you'll be able to identify when something isn't working correctly.
No one knows your machines the way you do, every motorcycle is personalised, and every biker has setting preferences, whether top speeds, comfort or safety features. To begin learning about motorcycle maintenance, you should consult your owner's manual.
The manual offers a vast amount of information regarding the motorcycle parts, from the location of plugs to the most efficient levels and specifications.
It should also include the parts you will need to remove to access filters/plugs etc., as well as the periodic intervals for cleaning, refilling and charging. You can further broaden your knowledge by joining a motor club. Here fellow bike enthusiasts can discuss useful techniques as well as the tricks that ended up causing more damage!
Plus, you get to socialise with people with the same interests as you, building networks and camaraderie. After plenty of practice, you can become a master of motorcycle maintenance. In the long run, this can help reduce costs and means you can help others out too. Moreover, keeping your motorbike in tip-top shape ensures it looks its best for social rides or club meet-ups! So clean your bike regularly. Whenever you plan to work on a bike without a centre stand, you can use a rear stand device to keep it upright.
Your motorcycle owner's manual will have all the necessary information regarding oil changes. It's recommended to keep your engine running efficiently, you should change the oil every several thousand miles, although this can vary depending on driving habits, type of bike and fuel used. When changing the oil, first, you need to ride the motorcycle for around five minutes; this allows the viscosity to reduce, meaning oil drains away easier. Next, turn the engine off, stand the bike upright and remove the drain plug and oil fill plug.
Old engine oil can now empty into the drain pan. Some fairing may need removing to allow access to the drain plug. You should also remove the oil filter, though be warned this can create a big mess! Using aluminium foil to protect the engine or exhaust from drippage will reduce cleaning time and protect the components from damage.
After all the oil has been drained, you can install a new oil filter and reattach any parts you removed. To refill the oil, use a funnel, and ensure you use the correct type of oil and measurements. Specifications for oil can be found in the owner's manual. Finally, replace the oil fill cap, and the task is complete. Used oil can be recycled at a bike shop or municipal facility. Don't forget to check out your motorbike's fork oil, as this absorbs shocks when riding over unstable surfaces.
The air filter on your motorbike is used to prevent debris from reaching the engine. If this is clogged up and dirty, the motorcycle's performance will be impaired. Switching out a broken air filter for a new one isn't too difficult of a task; however, it can be time-consuming if not checked for extended periods.
With some prior research, you should be able to avoid lengthy waiting times or costly mistakes. Access to the air filter is relatively easy, although the gas tank may need removing to gain clear entry. Parts needing removal will depend on the type of bike you own. After gaining entry to the air box, remove and replace the air filter, putting the removed parts back on afterwards.
Use the cold tyre pressures specified in the motorcycle handbook for the rider, passenger and luggage load. The tyre sidewall is not the source for recommended motorcycle operating pressure.
Tread wear indicators show wear, not air pressure. Inspect tread depth, cuts, bulges and cracking separately from measuring pressure. Have damaged or worn tyres assessed by a specialist.
On a liquid-cooled motorcycle, coolant helps manage temperature and protect the system. Change it only using the model-specific procedure, specified fluid, torque settings and bleeding method. Work on a fully cooled system; if you do not have the correct procedure and equipment, use a workshop.
After a coolant change, complete the specified bleeding and level-checking procedure. Never remove a pressure cap while the system is hot. Check for leaks and have persistent temperature warnings diagnosed rather than repeatedly topping up.
Although having a clean motorbike may seem unimportant apart from aesthetic reasons, it can reduce the risk of clogged, coated and corroded parts. The rock salt used on UK roads during winter can cause invasive damage to your metal motorcycle components. Tubes can easily become clogged up, and metal pipes can begin eroding if salt is left on parts too long. If you use your motorcycle for off-roading or in desert-like environments, cleaning your bike is vital to maintain peak useable life.
Get in the habit of checking your motorbike for damages and washing the chassis after riding in winter with some warm soapy water; even this simple mix will prevent continuous damage. Do not use a pressure jet washer to clean your bike, although it may seem tempting and a quicker solution to handwashing. The high-pressure jets can cause damage to rubber seals and flatten the radiator's slanted fins. Damaged flat radiator fins can allow water to become trapped, or a hole can form, weakening the structure of your motorcycle.
More modern Motorcycle chains are often O-ring chains, these require significantly less cleaning than the old-style and unsealed chains. You should clean the bike's chain when suggested in the owner's manual or when it is clearly dirty. A dry or rusty chain can severely impact the control you have, so it must be kept clean for safety purposes.
Secure the bike on a suitable stand with the engine off. Turn the wheel only by hand, keeping fingers clear of the sprockets. Use cleaner and lubricant compatible with the chain seals; they protect the chain rather than replacing the lubricant sealed inside the joints. Follow the product application instructions and wipe excess away from tyres and brakes.
Use the manufacturer pad and disc limits for your model. Inspect regularly, especially after heavy use, and investigate changed lever feel, noise or dragging promptly.
It's recommended by mechanics that brake pads should be checked every 6,000 to 9,000 miles, although this is subject to various factors. The level of brake wear depends on personal driving habits, and the environments rode in. Areas with more slopes and frequent starts and stops will wear your brake pads down quicker, making braking more difficult, which can be deadly in hilly landscapes.
Ensure you check your brake pads periodically if you drive on sloped roads regularly. For those who ride their motorcycles on regular roads, it's recommended you change the brake fluid every one to two years, depending on the type of fluid. To find exact times, check your service schedule or owner manual.
Battery life varies with type, temperature, charging and use. Resting voltage alone does not show condition under load. Slow starting or repeated discharge needs battery and charging-system diagnosis.
Use the battery and motorcycle manufacturer test procedure. Acceptable voltage readings depend on the system and battery chemistry; do not assume voltage should keep rising with engine speed.
As with most electric batteries, recharging it before it hits rock bottom will benefit the battery's lifespan. Make sure to dispose of your battery. You must ensure old batteries are responsibly and legally disposed of. It is illegal to dump old batteries, whether in your household rubbish bin or on the roadside. It can cause irreversible damage to local ecosystems and wildlife. Using a reputable and professional motorcycle battery replacement service will avoid these unwanted worries, ensuring the battery is recycled and manufactured into new products.
A practical pre-ride maintenance routine
Before setting off, check cold tyre pressures against the handbook for the load you are carrying, inspect the tread and sidewalls, and look beneath the bike for fresh leaks. Test the headlamp, indicators, horn and brake lamp using both brake controls. Check that the throttle returns freely and the brakes feel normal before moving.
Check oil and coolant using the model-specific method: engine temperature, waiting time and motorcycle position can differ. Never open a hot cooling system. On a chain-driven bike, inspect slack with the engine switched off; turn the wheel by hand and keep fingers clear of the sprockets. Shaft-driven motorcycles need their own final-drive checks.
What current MOT figures say about basic checks
For April to June 2026, lamps and reflectors caused failure in 6.79% of motorcycle tests; the overall initial failure rate was 12.40%. These are Great Britain class 1 and 2 MOT results, not BMW breakdown rates. Source: DVSA, September 2026 release.
A lighting check is useful, but an MOT does not replace servicing. It cannot establish when oil, coolant or brake fluid was last changed. Keep a separate maintenance record and address advisories before they develop into more serious wear.
Plan servicing around time as well as mileage
BMW describes annual servicing alongside mileage-based maintenance in its maintenance guidance. Use the handbook and current schedule for your exact motorcycle to establish what is due. Low annual mileage does not remove time-based requirements for fluids and inspections.
Keep a log with the date, odometer reading, work completed and parts or fluid specification. Review it before a long journey. A service reminder should prompt a check of the schedule, rather than simply a reset of the display. Dusty riding and wet commuting may also call for more frequent condition checks.
Know when a workshop is needed
Cleaning, visual inspections and pressure checks are sensible starting points for an owner. Work on brakes, steering, wheel installation, valve clearances and electronic systems requires the correct procedure, equipment and experience. If you cannot verify torque settings or complete the required checks afterwards, arrange professional help.
Stop riding if you find a fuel leak, loss of braking, serious tyre damage or an oil-pressure warning. Adding fluid or clearing a code does not establish why the problem occurred. Tell the workshop what changed and when, including recent repairs or accessories.
Jap & German Motorcycles provides the best services in and around West London. Whatever you require, our team can assist you with everything from BMW motorbike repairs to providing motorbike spare parts.