With its vast geographical expanse, India is an exciting territory to traverse on two-wheelers. However, its varied terrains and bad road conditions pose a big challenge for a motorcycle’s mechanicals. Of all the mechanical components of a motorcycle, suspension probably suffers the most when subjected to harsh road conditions. Suspension is robust; however, it still has a limited life and needs to be repaired or replaced based on the usage patterns. There are ways in which you can extend your motorcycle suspension’s lifespan. In this article, we share care tips for your motorcycle’s shock absorbers to keep them working well as new and help them last longer.
Adopt a more caring riding style
Everyone has a different riding style, and this plays a significant role in the longevity of your motorcycle’s suspension. Racing your motorcycle can have adverse effects on the suspension. Also, not being careful over bumps is akin to abuse, which would make the suspension wear out quicker. The higher the speed over rough surfaces, the more it affects the suspension. The key is to ride smoothly and be gentle over bumps and rough roads. This would put less pressure on the suspension and make sure that it lasts longer.
Choose a smoother terrain
The quality and smoothness of the surface you ride on plays a pivotal role in the longevity of your two-wheeler suspension. Besides your riding style, the road you ride on also affects your suspension and its workings. If your daily commute comprises rough roads, try changing the route to a smoother option, if available. A two-wheeler used on rough roads will need a lot more maintenance than the one used on smooth highways. You might end up adding a few more minutes to your daily commute, but it will enhance the life of your motorcycle’s suspension.
Keep it clean
Dirt has never done any good to a motorcycle. A dirty suspension will not work efficiently and will wear out quickly. Of course, it may seem okay for the suspension to look and be dirty from the outside, but in the long run, it causes abrasions, increases friction and may even make the suspension units rust and degenerate. The dirt may even enter the suspension and damage its internal components. It is, therefore, vital to keep your suspension clean from all the dirt and debris.
Inspection
A motorcycle goes through a lot during one’s daily commute, and some wear and tear are entirely normal. However, one should always watch for any signs of oil leakage or other tell-tale signs like rust and cracks.
In theory, the front forks of a motorcycle are sealed from the elements, but you need to check for leakages and wear them periodically. Inside the front suspension, there is oil that needs to be checked for contamination and metal shavings. If the oil isn’t checked and replaced on time, the springs inside the fork may stop functioning. Looking for oil marks on the inner sliders is essential in catching the leakages early, giving the owners a chance to replace the seals before the more critical, expensive components get damaged. The suspension bushings also need to be inspected and serviced promptly to keep the front suspension in good condition.
For the rear suspension, check the springs periodically and keep them muck-free. Though cleaning the rear shock absorbers is often more than enough to take care of them, one should also ensure that they are free of any signs of degeneration like rusting or cracks.
Fork tube maintenance
Inspecting and maintaining the fork tubes is as easy as washing them. However, abrasions, holes or other forms of damage to the tubes can cause an oil leak due to the seals breaking. Inspect the tube surface periodically to ensure that it’s free of any cuts, abrasions or holes. One thing to note is that tubes are strong, and many scratches and dents can be fixed easily rather than you having to replace the tubes entirely.
Replacement
Though motorcycle suspension has a good life and maintaining it goes a long way in keeping it working well as new for a prolonged period, one should replace them after certain intervals. With wear and tear, any suspension would lose its ability to soak up bumps and changing it becomes necessary. Switching to a new suspension once you start feeling that it’s not performing as desired is more effective and better than repairing and using the old suspension for the entire life of the motorcycle. It may increase the cost by some margin, but replacing suspension goes a long way in ensuring your comfort and safety.
Comments (3)
ZAP
17 Jan 2022
ZAP
14 Feb 2022
ZAP
14 Feb 2022