Touring Bike Maintenance

Touring bikes can see a lot of miles on the long road, so it can really pay to stay up to date on at-home maintenance. It can be hard, certainly, since there’s just so much more fun to have while riding a touring bike than while working on it! But learning how to enjoy and complete basic maintenance on your motorcycle is an important part of ownership and a prime tenet of the Harley-Davidson® lifestyle.

At Crystal Harley-Davidson®, we’re more than just a dealer — we’re Harley riders too! So we know it can be a pain to keep your bike up to date on maintenance. In that spirit, we’ve written up a quick guide with some tips to the basics of motorcycle maintenance. Read on for more information or head into our showroom in Homosassa, Florida, where we’re proud to serve New Port Richey, Spring Hill, St. Petersburg, and Tampa.

Tires

There’s no better place to start on touring bike maintenance than with the tires. Touring bikes are all about those long distance trips, and long distances mean more wear on your tires. First check tire pressure with a simple air pressure gauge and match it against the listed manufacturer recommendation printed on the tire wall.

Next examine the tire tread, which should be worn down evenly between front and back. If it’s not, it might be time to take your touring bike in for service. Take this time to dislodge any foreign objects that may have gotten caught in the tread, since they can come free on future rides and cause serious damage. Finally, check the tire wall for gouges, scalping, or other damage that could indicate it’s time for a replacement.

Fluids

Next up are the different fluids that keep things cool and running. You can check engine oil on your touring bike the same way you would with a car or truck. Just pull out the dipstick, clean it off, reinsert it, and pull it out again. The oil should be golden in color and have a low viscosity. If the oil is sludgy and discolored, it’s time for an oil and filter change. Otherwise, top off the oil and move on to brake fluid.

There’ll be two reservoirs for front and rear brakes. Simply check the levels and top off as needed. The same goes for engine coolant. You’ll also want to inspect the brake pads. Make sure they’re wearing evenly and that there’s still plenty of material to work with. Even if everything seems fine, if you notice any unusual squeaking, grinding, or pulsating, consider getting your braking system checked by a professional.

Electronics

Ensure that all your electronics are in working order; finding out your GPS is off while on the road isn’t the best timing, so think ahead! This goes for your touring bike’s battery as well. Especially when storing your bike, you’ll want to make sure the battery’s charge lasts. Hook it up to a trickle charger or at least remove the leads from the battery posts to avoid unnecessary drainage when not in use. As you might with your car, if your motorcycle doesn’t start, you’ll want to check your battery first. It might just need to be recharged, but if it’s old it might just need to be replaced. If you replace or recharge your battery and it still drains quickly, it might me your alternator needs to be looked at.

With a few basic maintenance tips and some guiding information, you’ll be well on your way to keeping your touring bike running smooth for years to come while also avoiding costly service and repair. A bit of knowhow and confidence goes a long way for any hobbyist, and motorcycle riders are no different. If you need more help with your touring bike, or you’re after parts and service, head to Crystal Harley-Davidson® in Homosassa, Florida, near New Port Richey, Spring Hill, St. Petersburg, and Tampa.