BASICS OF MOTORCYCLE MAINTENANCE
Motorcycles need to be maintained. Other than filling ‘em up with gas, the most routine things that need to be done are:
1) Checking/adjusting your tire pressure
2) Adjusting/lubricating your chain
3) Changing your oil and oil filter
4) Replacing your tires
5) Taking care of your battery
Or, if you are not a regular rider, battery maintenance could be your number 1 item, which might be as simple as keeping a battery tender plugged into your battery while your bike waits for its next outing.
Although you can elect to have your oil and battery replaced by your local motorcycle shop, the other items are simple enough that you ought to be doing them yourself.
Your owner’s manual is a good source of basic bike maintenance as well as other things.
But if you want to get into more “Do It Yourself” maintenance, you will need more info. In which case, a book, or two (or more) may be what you need. I used to do more of my own motorcycle maintenance than I do now (nowadays oil and tire changes are done for me in the shop), but I found that different repair manuals might do a better job of illustrating a particular procedure than others. So over the years I accumulated a few books and referred to each of them before I would start some type of service that I never attempted before. Or, I would simply refer to them for things I just didn’t do that often. They are also a good source of information on motorcycle mechanical operation, in general.
Of course you can buy books specifically for your make and model, which would be wise. Additionally, you may want to consider a book or two that offers broader theory on the various systems that make your bike such an action-packed, entertainment machine.
