Motorcycle Maintenance on the Road

Nothing ruins a great touring ride or highway cruise faster than a rattling noise, a flat tire, or an unforeseen breakdown that forces a rider to take an unexpected pit stop. While it’s essential to keep up with regular motorcycle maintenance and perform a thorough pre-ride inspection, sometimes there’s simply nothing you could have done in advance to prepare for a particular breakdown.

So, what do you do when you’re stranded on the shoulder of the highway? Glad you asked! This guide to roadside motorcycle maintenance should help take some of the stress out of a breakdown and get you back on the move in no time.

Should You Stay or Should You Go?

Once you feel your bike is acting up, your priority is to get yourself off the road as quickly and safely as possible. You may need to immediately pull over onto a shoulder or highway median if the issue is severe, or your bike may give you enough time to get to the next exit and pull off in a parking lot.

As you’re doing this, signal your intent to surrounding traffic, watching carefully before making any sudden moves since drivers may not immediately see your distress. Park your bike as far from moving cars as you can.

You’ll first have to decide whether you can stay and repair your bike or whether it would be safer to leave the area and get help. If you can see where the problem is and you’re prepared to fix it, then you can simply address it and get moving again.

Do You Have Your Tools?

The only way you’ll be able to repair your bike is if you have the right motorcycle maintenance tools. A toolkit in your saddlebags or storage compartment should contain everything you need for most minor issues. Some examples include a portable air compressor, wrenches, screwdrivers, tire patches, pliers, and a fuel siphon. You can find these kits pre-assembled for convenience or compile one yourself.

Prevention for Next Time

Once you’ve got your bike fixed, it’s important to keep it in good shape for future rides so this doesn’t happen again. Regular motorcycle maintenance tasks, like oil changes, tire pressure checks, examining your battery, tightening belts and chains, changing filters, and adding coolant will ensure that your bike is in peak condition for the next ride.

If you need help with motorcycle maintenance or repairs, visit Barnes Bros. Motorcycles & Off-Road in Canonsburg, PA. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff will be happy to inspect your bike and make sure that it’s running smoothly. We proudly serve all those in Pittsburgh and Washington, PA.