Riding Tips 2: Before Long Ride Tips

Small or big cc motorcycle, we all do love a long distance ride. Especially in group. But are we really sure our bike can take us to our destination? NO! We cannot guarantee. But we can try our best to make sure we can reach our destination without having much trouble. These are thing you should check before starting your long ride with your friends.

1. ENGINE OIL.

     This is the most important thing on your bike. It is like a blood on any motorcycle. The lubricant prevents metal hits metal, like piston hits engine block. A dry engine oil can cause you expensive damages.

Also Read: Changing Your Engine Oil

2. BRAKE SYSTEM

      Braking is not just reducing speed or stopping your bike, but it also the main key for you from getting crash. Even you cannot guarantee the bike can avoid you from hitting something, but a good braking system can reduce the impact force, and not just save your life, but also preventing you from serious injury.
      So please double check your brake pads, and brake fluids. The fluids also has to be compete with your brake system. Don't mix DOT 3 and DOT 4.

Also Read: Understanding Motorcycle Rake and Trail

3. TIRE

(Tire that suitable for most asphalt surfaces)

     Beside brakes, you life also depends on tire. Make sure you wear good type of tire for your bike. And make sure you understand your tires function. Usually a track performance tires (Semi Slick Type) are not suitable on heavy rain. But if you use normal tires are good enough. There are speed limit each tire, make sure you not exceed it. NEVER USE WORN OUT TIRE.

(Semi slick performance tire that has stronger grip but has no control during heavy rains.) 

4. CHAIN

    Chain is easy to maintain and monitor, but often forgotten by us. Chain moves our bike. So broken chain in the middle of road can lead you into disaster. Not just your ride program is interrupted, but you also have to spend some money for towing. Otherwise, you have to push your bike into nearest workshop. Service your chain using chain lube regularly.

Also Read : DIY Chain Service

5. CABLE

    Just make sure cables for throttle, clutch and brake are fully functional. Cables acts as respond for anything for your ride (eg. increasing/reducing speed and changing gear). Usually cable failure can be detected before you starting your ride. So if you notice something wrong with your bike, don't ride until you fix your cables.

6. LIGHTS

   Lights are important for other people noticing that your are 'exist' on the road. Yes, there are lots of dumb people who are not paying attention to you. Headlamp can sure them aware that you are around them. Your tail lamp are for telling people behind you that you are braking and slowing down. Signal lamp also important but still you need to use your hand as signal as motorcycle's signal are not clearly visible especially on daylight.

Also Read: Safe Tips

7. PETROL

   Especially for those who has not or not working fuel indicator, you need to full tank everytimg you start a long ride. and if it is your first time going to the place, make sure you fill every stop at petrol pump. You might don't want troubling your friends 'foot-pushing' you and your bike to nearest petrol pump.

Also read: Riding Tips
   

Tips: Changing Engine Oil

      Now, most of us, the rider wants our bike to last like, forever. But, it takes maintenance to do that. We start with the basic. Changing the engine oil & filter for both air and oil filter. Motorcycle engine are smaller than car. Its complicated but its easier if you wish to DIY.
    Start with changing the engine oil. For those who using 4 Stroke engine, your engine oil must change it regularly. Most of people do it for every 4000 km, but i recommend you to change it in between 2000 km to 3000 km. Most engine oil are cheap. But keep it in mind, not all cheap is the good ones. So I recommend you for superbike engine, use Motul 10W40. Its not the best or the most expensive engine oil, but it will do. Of course other brand like Castrol or Repsol are good as well. Whats more important is the grade. Please pic 10w40 or better. Changing engine oil regularly and using better engine oil will expand your engine lifespan. Here are example for recommended engine oil.

(Motul are the most rider's choice. It said that Motul Engine Oil are suitable for most superbike or bike with large engine size)

(Beside Motul, Castrol also well-known product. It produce better acceleration and take care of your engine as well. But for some reasons, Castrol cost you more than other brand with same engine oil grade)

(Repsol are well-known for Honda Motorcycle.Its suitable for all Honda motorcycle but also can be use for other bike too. If you are using Honda, I recommend you to use Repsol.)

(Everyone knows about Shell. Not even just rider but everyone. This could be the cheapest engine oil that has 10w40 grade. So, if you running out budget, pick Shell instead.)

Why Changing Your Engine Oil?

1. If you do only one thing for you motorcycle and get the shop to do anything else, well changing the engine oil will be the one.
2. Engine oil is like life blood for any vehicle in the world. It doesn't matter if you are using car, truck, motorcycle or even boat, as long its using engine to move.
3. For motorcycle, engine oil is the critical life of your motorcycle's life. Without engine oil, doesn't matter how old or new your bike is, it will seize and die in full pain.
4. Motorcycle are very hard compared to typical car. Its because motorcycle runs higher Revolutions Per Minutes, meaning parts are moving 100 times faster than in car, at hotter temperature and most oil and air are the only thing that keeps your engine cool from melting.
5. So again, do yourself a favor, change your engine oil regularly.      

What Use Of Engine Oil?

1. Simple to understand, its to makes your bike last longer.
2. Not only cools your engine,its also to prevent metal parts contact each other. Trust me, you won't that happens.
3. Since, metal on metal contact can cause  expensive damage to your engine (pistons, blocks and engine head).
4. Engine oil also improve acceleration on your motorcycle. Higher grades provides you smooth acceleration. For those who loves speed, use grade 5w40. This is the most expensive engine oil, but also the best. For who just want a long lifespan, just pick 10w40 instead.

How Often To Change The Motor ?

1. Some change their engine oil too often,some forget to change it at all.
2. Refer to your manual book. See how often recommended. let say it says every 3000 km of mileage, you should change your engine oil, the I say do it before you reach 3000 km of mileage. 2500 km is the better.
3. Changing too often is completely a waste since engine oil is non-renewable source. If you change engine oil once in a month, and mileage not reach 2000 km since last time you change your engine oil, you should change that.
4. Please change engine oil once you reached 2500 km of mileage and above. Or every 6 months.
5. Early change is better but not too soon. We, rider like to be green as well. Don't waste, but often check your engine oil.

Oil Filter and Air Filter

1. I would recommend you to change oil filter at the same time you change the engine oil. Don't ever wash and reuse the oil filter. Don't be cheap. its only cost you around RM10-RM20.
2. For air filter, some of it are washable and you can reuse it. But if you see the air filter has damage or you used it for a long time, just buy a new one. Cost you only around Rm20 but its ensure your engine healthy for a long time.

          So I hope that you could take care of your bike. Engine oil is really a blood to your motorcycle's life. If you not taking care of it, your bike will suffering pain and slowly die. It will cost you more money to fix it. So remember this basic tips. Its simple, but its important.