There’s more to riding a motorcycle than meets the eye. That’s why owners usually pay careful attention to their motorcycle’s condition.

While you can religiously visit your trusted mechanic for regular checkups, knowing essential do-it-yourself maintenance tips can help take your worries away.

Ready for some handy DIY maintenance tips? Check out these helpful pointers from Honda.

1. Clean your motorcycle.

Cleaning your motorcycle regularly is good for both the bike and the rider. Not only does it allow you to maintain a good-looking ride; it will also familiarize you with some of its parts. That said, you’ll know when there’s a loose screw or a missing bolt.

It’ll be easier to notice gaps in the motorcycle’s fairings, body panels, and cowlings if you regularly clean your motorcycle yourself.

You’ll also get to feel the surface for dents and scratches.

Honda advises its customers to use a microfiber cloth to clean the surface of the bike and not to overexpose their motorcycles to direct sunlight.

2. Check the tires.

Unlike their four-wheeled counterparts, motorcycles typically won’t have room for a spare tire. That said, it’s important to check a bike’s tire condition regularly.

According to Honda, owners can start by checking the wheel balance and alignment. The air pressure should also be maintained at the recommended levels.

Honda also tells its customers to check for possible cuts and scrapes that could cause tire blowouts. Tire treads should also be inspected at least once a week.

3. Change the oil.

Changing the oil is something you can do on your own. It’s important to ensure that your motorcycle’s engine oil is regularly replaced as it’s responsible for lubricating some of the most important components of the motor.

Failure to change the oil can lead to damage.

When to change the oil typically depends on the model of your Honda motorcycle. Honda advises owners to check the manual to see how frequently do they need to top up or change it.

4. Change the air filter.

Air filters keep dirt and other debris out of your bike’s main operational components. So, regular inspection and replacement are prescribed.

5. Lube the chain.

Lubricating the chains on your motorcycle can help extend its lifespan. Excessive heat can easily wear out motorcycle chains, causing the links to become loose and fall off from the sprockets.

On top of the aforementioned DIY maintenance tips, owners should also check some essential components on their motorcycles before hopping on.

Here are some of these things:

• Check the fuel level to confirm it’s not leaking;
• Check all your fluid levels, such as oil, brake fluid, and coolant;
• Check the throttle cable free play;
• Check your lights and horn;
• Check the clutch lever free play;
• Ensure smooth steering movement and notice if there are no restrictions;
• Adjust the rear viewing span of a mirror if you think it is needed;
• Check brake hoses for chafing or leakage.

While these tips can help keep a motorcycle in good condition, Honda still encourages owners to take their bikes to a professional mechanic based on the motorcycle’s prescribed maintenance schedule.

The aforementioned tips are applicable for Honda motorcycles like the AirBlade150. This scoot features ABS, a 50cc SOHC liquid-cooled PGM-Fi eSP engine, a slim body design, a 22.7L U-Box for storage with a power outlet and LED Lamp, and a digital meter panel.

It can be had in Matte Galaxy Black Metallic, Candy Caribbean Blue Sea, and Candy Ross Red color variants.

Pricing is at P109,000.

Photos from Honda

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