How should motorbikes be protected in hot weather?

Hot weather causes discomfort not only for people but also affects daily transportation. With motorbikes operating mainly on the road, protecting and taking care of them is essential, especially for drivers who often travel long distances. So what should be done to keep motorbikes running under the hot summer sun?

Check engine oil, transmission oil and coolant

Riders should change their motorcycle oil regularly. Photo: Motorcycle Cruiser

These fluids help lubricate the internal friction parts and reduce the temperature when the motorbike is running. Therefore, maintaining engine oil, transmission oil and coolant is very important, especially in the hot summer.

First of all, the driver should check the pipes and lines, look closely and look for cracks, rust, damage or softening to find ways to repair or replace. At the same time, the above fluids are likely to deteriorate and even wear out over time.

Therefore, engine oil and transmission oil need to be replaced periodically; if the motorbike is operated continuously under severe conditions, the owner should consider doing it sooner. Coolant needs to be topped up when it falls below the allowable level, and replaced after 20,000 km of use.

Chain and belt maintenance

On vehicles using chains, the driver should remove rust, dirt and grease from this transmission part; at the same time, the chain should be tightened if it is too loose or vice versa, and re-apply oil or grease to increase lubrication. If the vehicle uses a drive belt, replace it if cracks or excessive wear are detected, usually after about 20,000 km.

Check the tires

Check the pressure to make sure the tires are not under-inflated. Photo: Motorcycle

Check the brakes

Make sure your brake fluid is at the correct level and that it is fresh, this will help reduce the temperature when braking. If your vehicle has drum brakes, make sure your brake pads and brake lines are in good condition. Brakes tend to heat up faster when the temperature is high, so check your brakes more carefully before going on a long trip, as they can be lifesavers in an emergency.

Regularly wash and clean your motorbike

In hot weather, motorbikes will be covered with layers of dirt, especially in enclosed areas, which will affect the cooling capacity. Therefore, owners should wash their motorbikes with water and clean them regularly to help the motorbike achieve the best performance and avoid unusual problems.

Leave your motorbike in a cool place

Park in shady areas. Photo: Motor Adventure Bali

This applies when parking, when the driver should try to find shady places such as tree shade, basement, indoors or under a roof to park the motorbike. Or buy sun-reflecting panels for the saddle, to help avoid heat when sitting; if you are more careful, you can use tarpaulins to cover the entire vehicle. However, even in mandatory conditions, the driver should only park the motorbike in the sun for a short time.

Avoid idling

There will certainly be times when the driver has to let the vehicle idle in place, such as when stopping at a red light or in a traffic jam, but this should be limited as much as possible, or find a shady place to do so to help the motorbike reduce the temperature it has to endure. Idling in place is very harmful to the engine, because then the engine is not cooled by air, as well as the radiator (on vehicles using a liquid cooling system).