Welcome to the first episode of Living the Motorcycle Dream.
And god does it feel good to be in the boots of those lucky few who have such a gorgeous
machine in their parking lot.
Don't make the mistake.
Behind this beautiful attire, is a monster waiting to unleash all it's fury.
So you've got to make sure everything on such a machine is working well.
So you not only have a good time, but come back in one piece.
So here's a quick check list which you might want to consider before you take your Superbike
out for a spin.
The cheat code to ensure that your Superbike is always running like new, is to keep a close
eye on the engine oil level.
Why do you do that?
Well, regular check ups, regular topups, and also changing the engine oil
at the prescribed intervals will not only help the engine perform to the best of it's ability,
it will also help you take preemptive action, also diagnose any engine related problems well in advance
as soon as you see any sudden drop in the engine oil level.
Next up is the chain.
Make sure the chain slack is properly set, the chain is clean and properly lubed.
Because that will help your Superbike run smoothly, it will increase the life of your
chain and your sprocket and also reduce the loss of power at the rear wheel.
And if you're someone who likes to go fast, also plan to stop quickly.
So make sure that your disc-pads are in good condition, and they have a lot of meat on them
so that you can drop anchor, as and when you want to.
Remember, worn out brake pads are not only a health hazard, they also eat into
your disc which are a lot more expensive to replace.
Next up is obviously the suspension.
Make sure, now that the monsoons are here especially, and our roads look like craters,
make sure you have a look at the suspension real good.
And that the oil seals are intact.
Because broken oil seals will not only affect the handling a fair bit, there's a chance
that oil will leak onto your disc and god-forbid your tyres, which can cause a really serious accident.
So watch out for them.
And then, you have the tyre pressure.
Make sure that you're always running the recommended tyre pressure, which is usually find either
on the swingarm or on the chain cover.
What you'll notice that the figures mentioned here are cold tyre pressures.
Which means they have to set before you ride that motorcycle.
Which is why I strongly recommend getting an electrical pump and an accurate tyre pressure-gauge.
Why is tyre pressure so important?
Because the correct tyre pressure goes a long way in not only helping you extract maximum
traction from your tyres but also reducing excessive tyre wear.
For example, inflate the tyres more than recommended, and you'll reduce the contact patch of the tyre,
thereby giving you less grip.
Or if you deflate the tyre too much, it will lead to excessive and uneven tyrewear.
And now just a quick check of all the electricals.
Instrument cluster looks fine.
The horn, indicators, the headlight, taillight, brake lights
and I think we're finally ready to fire up the beast.
Wait, don't hop on just yet.
Let the engine idle for a good minute or two.
Because you're allowing the engine oil to do it's job, basically lube all the internal components
and also helping the engine come up to it's efficient temperature.
And whatever you do, for the love of god, do not over-rev a cold engine.
Because that can cause major internal damage to the engine.
And the last thing, to cross out that list, is obviously warming up the tyres.
Especially if you plan to go to the track or up the mountain for some corner carving.
Because you won't believe the sheer number of accidents that happen only because of cold tyres losing traction.
So make sure you take the entire surface of the tyre up to temperature before you put
the power down.
And help extend that dream of yours, that much longer.
So until next time, thank you so much and subscribe to PowerDrift.