Motorcycle Maintenance on the Road

Motorcycle maintenance issues happen to everyone, but the last thing you want is for something to happen on the road, far from a service department. Luckily, certain repairs are small and simple enough to perform by the roadside. To learn more about motorcycle maintenance on the road, check out this guide from the experts at Taboo Harley-Davidson®. 

Prevention

As they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. By holding to a regular maintenance schedule and following the advice found in your owner’s manual, you can make it less likely that you’ll need to perform roadside maintenance in the first place. A pre-ride inspection can also be helpful. Problems like brake issues or battery corrosion can be caught early and dealt with from the comfort and safety of your garage. 

Pack a Toolkit

You won’t be able to fix much at all without the proper tools. A basic motorcycle toolkit should include things like screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, tire patches, a fuel siphon, and a portable air compressor. You should also familiarize yourself with these tools and make sure that they are compatible with your model so that you’ll be ready to use them if necessary. 

How to Handle a Situation

If the worst happens and you suffer a mechanical malfunction mid-ride, your priority should be to safely remove yourself from traffic. Pullover or take the next exit, signaling your distress to other motorists if possible. Once you’ve gotten to safety, assess the situation. If you feel safe and think you have the tools/knowledge to repair the motorcycle, you can go ahead and fix it. If you think there’s a possibility that you could be hit by another motorist or you’re not sure that you’ll be able to fix the problem, get someone to pick you up. You may need to call a service department to schedule a service appointment. 

Shop new and pre-owned motorcycles at Taboo Harley-Davidson®. Our dealership in Alexandria, Louisiana offers convenient access to communities like Natchitoches and Lafayette, Louisiana, along with Natchez, Mississippi. We also offer servicing, riding lessons, parts ordering, insurance, and apparel.