Motorcycle Maintenance on the Road

Sudden motorcycle maintenance issues on the road are common and annoying. Even if you have the highest quality bike, you may encounter an occasional snag while you’re running errands or on a long-distance trip. So, you’ll want to be prepared to handle such a situation efficiently and safely.

Check out this guide, where we’ve highlighted a few tips to help you prevent and prepare for a maintenance issue with your bike while you’re on the road. For more ideas, connect with our experts at Ol’ Red’s Motorcycles in Simpsonville, SC, where we happily welcome our friends from Greenville and Columbia, SC, and Charlotte, NC.

How to Prevent a Situation?

To keep all issues at bay and complete your motorcycle trip safely and successfully, you’ll want to maintain your bike. Start by checking out the owner’s manual to see what tasks you should regularly do, like changing the oil, adjusting the tire pressure, and maintaining the battery. When you routinely examine your motorcycle, you have a better chance of identifying any red flags before they pose a threat on the road.

How to Prepare for a Situation?

When you’re out on a trip, bring along a comprehensive toolkit for handling minor repair tasks on the road. Your toolkit should include screwdrivers, wrenches, pliers, tire patches, a fuel siphon, and a portable air compressor. Try to get familiar with the tools and how you can use them on your bike. This way, you’ll be better equipped to fix an issue on the road.

How to Handle a Situation?

If you find yourself amid an unpleasant situation while riding your motorcycle, you’ll want to choose one of the below ways to come out of it.

Remove Yourself from Traffic

The first thing you’ll want to do is get out of the traffic safely and as quickly as possible. Take the next exit to move away from traffic or pull over to the shoulder or median immediately. While you’re leaving traffic, remember to turn on your hazards so that other motorists can see you. This way, you will be safe, and you can ensure others are safe, too.

Fix the Issue Yourself

Once you’re out of traffic, decide what you’re going to do. If it’s a minor issue and you think you’ll be able to fix it yourself, take out your toolkit and get to work. However, before you attempt any repairs, ensure that the task is within your skillset and safe for you to tackle. You’ll also want to make sure that you have the tools to handle the problem.

Seek Assistance of Experts

If you encounter an issue that’s too complex for you to handle, it’ll be a good idea to let a professional technician tackle it. Seek the help of a friend who has a trailer or truck to give you a lift to a service department nearby. Or call a roadside assistance service to come and get you. The sooner you get an expert to fix the issue on your bike, the better it’ll be for you. 

We hope this guide helps you prepare your motorcycle for your next outing. If you want our experts to service it before you hit the road, come down to Ol’ Red’s Motorcycles in Simpsonville, SC. Our friendly team can maintain your bike and help you upgrade your motorcycle to a model that’ll suit your riding style and budget. We proudly serve those from Greenville and Columbia, SC, and Charlotte, NC.