Hints & Tips

If you haven’t ridden much over the winter months, or you’ve been storing your bike away, there are a few essential checks you should carry out before you hit the road.

• Remove all winter protection – covers and stands.
• Reinstall your battery after the winter charge.
• Check all of your fluid levels.
• Set tyre pressures – your manual will detail the correct tyre pressures for your bike.
• Service – if your bike is due a service, now’s a great time to get it ready for the summer’s riding.
• Brake discs should be cleaned with brake cleaner – always use a cleaner designed for brakes, anything else is likely to damage or impair the brake performance.
• Test the brakes – first sit on the bike and roll forward and apply the front brake, this will get the brakes going. When happy don’t forget to find a safe area to check and operate all brakes.
• Lastly, don’t forget to readjust your mirrors as they may have moved over the winter months.

If you’re going to store your bike away for the winter:

Store your bike away from direct sunlight – this will help to ensure the paintwork is kept in the best possible condition and will protect your plastics from turning brittle.

Cover it with specially designed cover - as a sheet will absorb moisture which can cause rust and mildew, and a tarp prevents moisture from escaping, which may cause surface corrosion.

Use paddock stands to store it – if your bike is being stored for a long period, keeping both wheels on a paddock stand will stop the tyres from deforming and degrading from the cold floor. If this is not possible, avoid leaving the bike on cold concrete; instead use carpet or a wood sheet such as plywood.

Plug your pipes – ensure you cover your exhaust and air intakes, this will stop any unwanted dust or debris entering the bike.

Add fuel stabiliser – you may wish to add a fuel stabiliser, as fuel can degrade over time. Fill your tank with petrol and stabiliser and follow the guidance given on the packaging.

Battery storage – depending on the type of charger you have, it’s often advisable to remove your battery, charge it fully, and then store. However, some chargers are designed to be used right throughout the winter, as they will keep the battery fully charged at all times. Follow the guidance provided with your charger.

Oil your seals – place a small amount of oil over your suspensions seals, this will stop them from drying out and becoming brittle.

Keep your chain well lubricated – salt on the winter roads can affect the chain, avoid this by keeping it well lubricated.

Keep it serviced – ensure you are following the service schedule, it’s designed to keep your bike performing as you’d expect, even through the winter months.

Check the anti-freeze.

Protect exposed surfaces.

Keep it clean – if possible gently hose off the road grit after each ride or at least weekly in order to avoid salt corrosion.

Check your tyres regularly – don’t get caught out with damaged or excessively worn tyres.

Check your lights – there will be lots of riding in the dark over the winter months, so whilst it’s obvious, don’t forget to check all of your lights are operating correctly.

As a seasoned rider you will probably be familiar with the following general maintenance tips, but if you’re new to biking there are lots of maintenance tasks you can do yourself to keep your Suzuki motorcycle in tip-top condition.

Oil
Change your engine oil or gear oil frequently. It lubricates your gears and engine and keeps your engine cool. Not changing the engine oil will cause damage to the engine. Your Suzuki owner’s manual will specify how frequently the oil should be changed and this schedule should be followed to maximise the performance, efficiency and longevity of your engine.

Spark Plugs
Spark plugs should be changed as specified in the owner’s manual (or if a problem is suspected). It is critically important to use the correct spark plug grade and type. 

Tyres
Tyre pressure should be checked once a week or every time you go out. Underinflated tyres tend to affect handling and braking as the lack of pressure means the tyre wall isn’t firm enough to properly cope with the forces exerted on it. Over-inflation can also result in a deterioration in handling, as well as a reduced contact patch with the road. This can result in a lack of grip under braking.

Tyre condition is as important as tyre pressure for safe, reliable riding. Worn tyres are more susceptible to punctures and adversely affect the bike's handling. Cuts and cracks can cause a tyre to fail completely.

Always make sure you replace a tyre with one of the same type and size. You should also have the wheels balanced after a tyre replacement to ensure even road contact and tyre wear.

Chain lubrication
The chain which rotates the rear wheel should be kept lubricated. If it’s kept lubricated, it should last a very long time. If not lubricated, it could become damaged by excess heat, will wear the separate links and could cause it to come off the sprockets. It can also cause wear on the sprockets and bearings which can be very dangerous. The chain tightening procedure is detailed in the owner’s manual. Follow this carefully as too tight is as bad as too loose.

Keep it clean
Cleaning your bike is part of maintenance. Keeping it clean of dirt (and salt in winter) will not only keep it looking good, it also will avoid potential corrosion issues. It’s also a good way to inspect nuts and bolts to ensure they are tightened correctly.

Brakes 
A no brainer: your brakes must be working properly for safe riding. You need to inspect your brakes every day, carefully checking:

• Fluid levels in the reservoirs
• Front and rear brake systems for signs of fluid leakage
• Brake hoses for leakage or cracks
• The brake lever(s) and pedal stroke: these should be firm at all times
• Disc brake pad wear