The best way to keep your vehicle running fresh, lean and agile is to do its maintenance on regular basis. All maintenance requirements which owner should follow to keep a motorcycle in good condition are always provided by the manufacturer in the owner’s manual.
It tells you everything you need to know – from what type of engine oil to use and how often should it be changed, to recommended intervals for engine and transmission checks, etc. Failing to follow this maintenance rule could void your vehicle’s warranty and reduce its life.
Every motorcycle needs basic maintenance such as chain adjustment, brake tightening, proper lubricant level maintenance and so on. In some cases, certain components need replacement, e.g., flexible cables, clutch plates (click here to read when NOT to change clutch plates), etc.
Anytime we fail to perform maintenance activities intended by the equipment’s designer, we shorten the operating life of the equipment. Machines maintained properly run longer and perform better. Instead of waiting for a vehicle to fail, we can perform preventive maintenance, predictive maintenance, or reliability centred maintenance.
Most of the riders love their vehicles and follow the preventive type of maintenance either periodically or non-periodically. Rest of them wait till for some kind of a breakdown. Service stations perform very basic maintenance operations in free services provided by the companies.
These jobs are sufficient to run the new vehicle efficiently. Nowadays, service stations remind the owners about upcoming free services via phone, SMS etc but what should be done after you are done with the free services?
Bike Servicing Tips
Here are 14 tips to know before submitting your vehicle to the service station for paid service.
- Authorized service stations are generally not preferred by customers for paid preventive services because the billing amount goes very high. However, you should always prefer company’s authorized service centers because of skilled workers and proper equipment.
- If cost is a very big concern, and you are forced to go to some private garage then always prefer an accessible garage from your home or office for which you have got good feedback from your circle. It reduces your time as well as cost. You can also go to inspect your vehicle during the service if you are free. I often do that even with Yamaha’s authorised service station.
- Always try to adhere to the periodic maintenance as far as possible. After the initial period, you can define your time period according to your usage.
- If you can’t follow the schedule, then go for non-periodic maintenance but it should be preventive. That means, the time period between two successive services is not defined. You can go as per your convenience or as per your usage, but try not to wait for any breakdown.
- Check your vehicle for any scratches and dents before giving the bike to the service stations. Also specify it to the vehicle inspector and if possible, make him note down on the job card. Many service stations refuse their worker’s blunder at the time of delivery, if you observe any scratches or dents.
- Always prefer a service station/garage where job cards are used. Job card is the communication language between vehicle inspector and worker.
- Make a written list of your problems before going to service station otherwise there is a possibility that you may forget something important at the time of rush hours. Make sure that your problems are noted down by the vehicle inspector and he understand what your pain points are.
- Check the tool kit provided in your vehicle. It is advisable to remove it. If you can’t then count the total number of tools before and after service.
- Remove any costly and important stuff from your vehicle (if available).
- Always take a ride with vehicle inspector if you have some dynamic problems in your vehicle. Try to explain and convince him about the issue.
- Ask the center guy to change the engine oil in front of you.
- Never accept any replacement proposal blindly. Make sure whether it is really required or not. You can check the maintenance schedule in the user manual or can have suggestions from outside.
- Ask for a tentative estimate. Remove any of the servicing or replacement proposal which is not very important at the stage, if the estimate is too much for your pocket.
- You can also avail promotional periodic/annual service schemes authorised service stations generally offer. If you are not brief, ask at the reception about it.
Motorcycle Batteries: Explained in Detail
So, these are some very basic pointers to keep in mind while or before submitting your motorcycle for service.
10 Tips to Avoid Accidents While Riding in City: Most Basic But Often Neglected
– Dhruv Panchal
