70,000-mile maintenance
For three years we have been riding our KTMs on a long and winding road around the world. When we got to Colombia, our gauges had ticked over a distance of some 70,000 miles, roughly equivalent to two...
View ArticleMake Your Motorcycle Last Forever
Motorcycles are made better than ever. Their design, materials and machin-ing are more accurate and precise – and reliability is greater than it’s been before. To that end, here are some tips on how to...
View ArticleMotoMojo – Brake Service and Maintenance
If your brakes seem slow to stop, they pulse, or make unusual noises, if the brake lever feels spongy, or fluid is being lost, it’s definitely time for service. These problems may be due to worn or...
View ArticleChain and Sprocket Service
Chains are simple and effective, but need regular maintenance. A neglected chain may severely damage the engine case, or wrap up in the wheel and sprocket, locking the rear wheel. The two major types...
View ArticleGet Your Bike Ready For Summer – Make sure your motorcycle is safe and reliable
After sitting for months motorcycles need attention before returning to service, which can also help avoid breakdowns and ensure safety. Refer to the owner’s and service manuals for inspection lists...
View ArticleMotoMojo: Changing Gearing
Motorcycles come from the factory with gearing that is a compromise designed for typical or average conditions. Many manufacturers gear for rapid acceleration to give them bragging rights rather than...
View ArticleSuspension Upgrade: Race Tech to the Rescue
Premium motorcycle suspension components are costly and don’t make motorcycles look that much more appealing on the showroom floor. Hence, corporate bean counters tend to cheap out on these vital...
View ArticleCruiseman’s Garage Goldwing Basics DVD
As important as motorcycle maintenance is, over time the costs can certainly add up. With most shops charging anywhere from $60-$100 an hour for labor, doing the work yourself is a great way to save...
View ArticlePulsetech XC100-P Xtreme Charge 12V Battery Maintenance Charger and QuadLink...
Motorcycle batteries discharge during storage, and before you know it, they’re ruined. Pulsetech’s innovative Xtreme Charge battery maintenance charger works on any type of 12-volt, lead-acid battery,...
View ArticleMotoMojo: Motorcycle Brake Service
Replacing brake pads is something that most home mechanics can do with only a few common hand tools. A repair manual for the specific model should be available, and if you don’t have the proper...
View ArticleMotorcycle Maintenance, Some Days It’s Harder Than Others
I have a friend; let’s call him Fred. A long time ago, before he learned to do his own maintenance and before he saw the wisdom in purchasing a trailer, Fred had a unique method for getting his...
View ArticleMotoMojo: Bleeding Brakes
The polyethylene glycol-based brake fluid that comes in our motorcycles is hygroscopic, which means that it attracts moisture from the air. Over time, the fluid absorbs more water, which lowers its...
View ArticleAfter the Ride
I’ve got a friend who takes great pride in the fact that the only water to ever touch his bike is rain. He rides a 1200cc adventure bike, and I suspect that he wants to cultivate that “Indiana Jones”...
View ArticleTouring Tip: Helmet Check
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has noted that DOT-compliant helmet use by riders is on the increase, even in states without universal helmet laws. And you probably already know that...
View ArticlePot Holes, Sink Holes, and Buckled Roads
Not a year goes by that we don’t have to put up with these conditions, but this year it has been much worse than usual. The winter has been brutal to our roadways with the thaw and freeze pattern...
View ArticleGetting the Most Out of Your Battery
All too often, motorcycle batteries die young, murdered by neglect. Dehydration, improper charging, and a slow discharge during storage all shorten a battery’s life. But it doesn’t have to be that way;...
View ArticleTouring Tip: Preparing Your Bike for Winter
Temperatures have started to decline in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere, and it’s time to consider storage and maintenance of our favorite mounts. Because most mechanical systems perform best...
View ArticleMotoMojo – Shock & Fork Springs
During my trip from LA to Panama (see Moto Mundo Maya in the Apr ’10 issue of RoadRUNNER), one of the few shortcomings I noticed on the Kawasaki KLR650 was weak stock springs. Although the bike is a...
View ArticleMotoMojo: Changing Gearing
Motorcycles come from the factory with gearing that is a compromise designed for typical or average conditions. Many manufacturers gear for rapid acceleration to give them bragging rights rather than...
View ArticleMotoMojo: Winterizing Your Motorcycle
Leaving a motorcycle idle for several months can wreak havoc if precautions are not taken. Here are a few minor things you can do to protect your bike and prevent problems when you’re ready to ride...
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