As summer heat is upon us, let’s take a moment to talk about the safety and care of your motorcycle. The extreme heat we endure doing what we live for can take a toll on your 2 wheeled machine. I’m going to cover a couple basic things to help keep you and your motorcycle safe through the summer.

First of all let’s talk about your engine oil. Fresh, clean oil is essential for protecting your engine. Most manufacturers recommend changing your fluids every 2500 miles. Certain brand oils claim to be able to extend that mileage as much as double. Do your homework and research what others have used on motorcycles like you have and get suggestions on what has worked well for them. Being Harley Davidson Certified, I can give you my professional opinion on fluids for the HD brand. I can tell you a couple options to help keep your engine running cooler in the summer months. Instead of the HD 20W-50 that most parts counter salesman will be more than happy to grab for you, use straight 60 weight in the summer months. This fluid will protect your motor when ambient temperature are over 80 degrees when 50 weight only covers under 80 degrees. If you’re in to synthetics, try AMSOIL 20W-50, which is what I run in my Nightrain. AMSOIL has superior protection for all moving parts in your motor, cools better than the HD brand, and AMSOIL claims it actually gives you a slight increase in horsepower. Check your fluid regularly through the summer for proper level and discoloration, and don’t forget to change the filter!

The next most important item to discuss is tire pressure. Your tires are your lifeline. Over-inflation or under-inflation can lead to dangerous consequences. I have serviced many bikes that the customer has never checked their own tire pressure, and some have rolled in with only 15 lbs in them. Before any ride, you should check the pressure in your tires. Tire pressure increases as ambient air temperature increases. As your tire rotates and heats up, this will increase your pressure also. Don’t confuse recommended tire pressure which is listed in your Owners Manual with “Maximum Tire Pressure” stamped on the tire itself. Not only is tire pressure critical to the handling of your motorcycle, but over or under-inflated tires will wear your tires out quicker, and dampen your miles per gallon. Check your tires before a ride, and then when you finish your ride, to get a base setting of how to adjust your tire pressure.

One of the most common mistakes is the scheduled maintenance of your motorcycle. Scheduled maintenance includes changing fluids and filters, torquing critical fasteners, lubing and adjusting throttle and clutch cables, adjusting belts and chains, greasing neck and wheel bearings,etc. Neglecting your services, no matter what time of year it is, can cause breakdowns and emergencies at the worst time. None of us want to see a stranded biker on the side of the road when it’s 116 degrees out. Follow these basic guidelines and help keep yourself from being a victim of the Arizona roads.

If you are not comfortable working on your own machine, take it to a reputable mechanic that will take the time to explain what he is going to do, what he has done, and areas of concern. The personalization factor seems to have been lost at too many shops. If someone else was working on my bike, I would want a one on one relationship with them. Get to know your mechanic and build your trust with them to ensure they take care of your bike as if it were their own. That’s the service I strive for with my customers.

Ride Safe, Ride Free.

Carl Beach
Sinner Cycles
http://sinner-cycles.com/
623-255-4974