Used Motorcycle Maintenance Tips

Buying used motorcycles is a strategic financial move. You use depreciation in your favor to nab a much lower cost motorcycle. But pre-owned motorcycles have already been ridden for hours and will see higher maintenance issues because of it. Proactive maintenance can extend the life of your motorcycle and decrease the number of trips to the mechanic you take. We created the following guide to beginner's used bike maintenance below. If you encounter something beyond your ability, bring your vehicle to The Cycle Exchange. You'll find us in Andover and Ledgewood, New Jersey.

Brakes

Your brakes are your protection against collision. They reign in your speed when you barrel down a hill. They stop you from hitting an animal that darts in your path or an inattentive driver who suddenly brakes. But they need to be in good working order to keep you safe. Used bikes have already been on the road a while, so the brakes will need to be checked more regularly.

Check your brake fluid levels (the front and rear ones). Top off if needed. Check that your brake pads are worn evenly and smooth. If they are too worn down, they'll need to be replaced. If you notice any grinding or odd noises, it's a sign you need a maintenance check.

Tires

Pre-owned motorcycles will have more wear on their tires, so you will want to check them often. First, make sure you have enough tread. Tread helps your vehicle keep traction on the road, but it gets worn down as you ride around town. Your owner's manual will tell you when the tread is low enough that it needs to be replaced.

Second, make sure you have enough tire pressure. Too much and the tires won't have enough contact with the road. Too little and the tires can't cope with the forces pushing on them. Check your owner's manual for the ideal tire pressure level. Then use a tire pressure gauge in the morning (when tires are cold) for the best reading.

Fuel

When the fuel filter on used motorcycles gets clogged, it impacts how they ride. It drains away the power. You'll know it's time to replace when one of two things happen. Either you hear odd sounds when you ride or your engine struggles to start up.

Make sure you use the right fuel. If you only ride occasionally, use higher octane fuels. Ethanol-heavy fuels left sitting in pre-owned motorcycles can turn into a corrosive sludge.

Oil

It's important to check the oil on used bikes just like you do on your car. Enter a dipstick and wipe it clean. Then enter again and examine the results. Make sure the oil is the right color and consistency - otherwise it's time to replace. If you notice metallic shavings or powder floating around, that's an issue as well. It could indicate parts of your engine are grinding together. If everything looks okay, you can top off the oil as needed.

Battery

The battery on used motorcycles have already been in use for many hours, so it's more likely you will experience issues. When pre-owned motorcycles fail to start, inspect the battery first. Hopefully, all it needs is a recharge. But if it keeps dying, it may have an issue. If the battery is replaced or recharged and still draining, you might need your alternator inspected.

When used bikes are stored for a period of time, extra care needs to be given to their batteries. Connect yours to a trickle charge. Or you can remove the leads from the posts to prevent draining.

If you need maintenance help, bring your used bike to The Cycle Exchange. Our expert staff can get your used motorcycle running like new. We proudly serve those in Andover and Ledgewood, New Jersey as well as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and New York City, New York.