Like other vehicles, motorbikes require regular servicing and care for optimal performance. Proper servicing can help not only keep your rides smooth but also increase the lifespan of your bike.
Without proper servicing, you might not notice any small problems that come up with your bike and wear can build up over time. This can lead to significant, costly issues in the long run. Servicing doesn’t only just prevent issues with the motorcycle’s engine but everything, including the suspension.
So, when it comes to keeping your bike in top condition—regular motorbike suspension servicing is important. The suspension is critical for ensuring a comfortable and safe ride. It plays a massive role in handling any bumps, shocks, and vibrations when you’re out on the road.
A motorcycle’s suspension is typically split into two parts: the front and rear suspension. They are also made up of a few components: the forks, shock absorbers, springs, dampers, and linkage.
- The front suspension of a motorcycle typically consists of two forks, which hold the front wheel. These forks contain springs and dampers, which are designed to absorb shocks. This helps keep the motorcycle stable and safe, especially on uneven roads.
- The shock absorbers (also referred to as the rear suspension) are located at the back of a motorcycle. It serves the same purpose as the forks that hold the front wheel. It absorbs shocks, keeping the motorcycle stable.
- Motorcycle suspensions feature springs, which help with supporting the weight of the motorcycle and rider. They compress and extend to absorb any ‘irregularities’ while riding, like uneven roads and rocks.
- Dampers control the rate at which the springs in the suspension system rebound and compress. They play a critical role in ensuring the suspension doesn’t oscillate excessively after hitting a bump.
- Some motorcycles feature linkage systems as part of their suspension. The linkage connects the rear shock absorbers to the frame, which allows for better control and performance.
In this guide, we’ll be covering everything you need to know about motorcycle suspensions. This includes why a regular motorcycle suspension service is important and why getting a professional to do it is critical.
Servicing Required For Motorcycle Suspension
Regular upkeep is necessary if you want your suspension in top condition when riding and prolonging your motorcycle’s life. We’ve compiled how often you should service your suspension according to industry experts below.
- A race bike should be serviced every day due to the high amount of strain the sport puts on a motorcycle.
- Track bikes are fine with annual services or more frequently if you suspect anything is wrong with the suspension.
- For general road riders, it’s recommended that the motorcycle’s suspension be serviced once or twice a year, depending on mileage and riding conditions.
A typical motorcycle suspension service starts with conducting a visual inspection. A professional will look over the suspension, checking every component and checking for any potential wear or damage, like on the seals, shafts, or springs.
After the visual inspection, the professional will also do an operational check on the suspension. This will test that all the suspension components are working as intended. It also might include checking for any potential issues, like uneven compression or excessive sagging.
Following the initial inspection and assessment, the professional will then service your motorcycle’s fork. This includes disassembly and reassembly of the motorcycle’s fork. During this process, the professional will drain the old fork oil, clean all the components, and refill it with fresh oil.
The professional should also replace any oil seals and dust seals if necessary. This will help prevent any potential oil leakage and protect the internals from any potential contaminants, like dust and dirt. The bushing and springs would also be inspected and replaced if required.
After servicing the motorcycle forks, the professional would move on to the rear suspension. This includes cleaning and inspecting the shock absorbers and checking for any potential wear and damage.
Like the fork/front suspension, the shock oil must be drained and replaced to maintain consistent performance. If the motorcycle features a linkage system as part of its suspension, this would also need to be checked.
After all the components have been checked and any old oil has been replaced, the servicing process would move on to fine-tuning/adjustments where needed. For example, fine-tuning compression and rebound settings for optimal riding performance.
The last part of a routine suspension service would be taking the bike on a test ride. This is to ensure the suspension feels balanced and there aren’t any issues. This is also done to reassess and correct any adjustments made.
Why Servicing Your Motorcycle’s Suspension Is Important
It’s crucial to service your motorcycle’s suspension to maintain the ride quality, safety, and longevity of the suspension components. Failure to upkeep your motorcycle’s suspension can result in severe safety risks when riding.
A motorcycle with a faulty suspension is guaranteed to have poor handling, which can result in accidents. For example, if the suspension gets stuck because of poor maintenance, the rider could get thrown off the bike due to the lack of force absorption.
If suspension springs aren’t properly maintained and adjusted, it can also be deadly. For instance, if a spring is too soft, a bike will tend to move forward when braking and backwards when accelerating. This could lead to incredibly dangerous situations on the road.
Keeping up with your motorcycle’s suspension maintenance is just as important as the engine. If any part of your bike’s suspension isn’t in top condition and properly adjusted, it could lead to poorer handling and result in increased accident risk.
Why Getting A Professional Motorcycle Service Is A Good Idea
Getting a professional motorcycle service is a great investment, especially if you’re a frequent rider. A professional mechanic has years of experience dealing with bikes every day as their job. This gives them the expertise to spot issues that even an experienced daily rider might miss.
Professionals will also follow manufacturer specifications and safety standards. This ensures that all adjustments and repairs (if required) meet strict safety requirements. Professional mechanics also have workspaces specifically designed for working on motorcycles.
Additionally, they would also have professional-grade tools for working on motorcycles. If you were to buy those tools yourself, it would be quite expensive. For instance, motorcycle shops have specialised tools for taking off tyres, precise torque settings, and diagnostics, which are hard to acquire for a home garage.
A professionally serviced motorcycle also retains better resale value. This is because the seller will also be able to back up the history of the vehicle with well-documented services and repairs.
Minor and Major Servicing at Taverner Motorsports
If you’re looking for a motorcycle workshop to handle all your professional routine servicing, including suspensions, think Taverner Motorsports. We’ve been in the business since 1975, servicing all makes and models, specialising in Harley Davidson and British models.
When you choose to bring your bike to Taverner Motorsports, you can expect high-quality customer service and transparency, too. We always provide our clients with an upfront estimation of costs. We also always seek your permission before acting and give you a timeline for completion.
If you have any questions about the workshop services we provide or you’re looking to book your motorcycle with us, contact us today and request a quote. Let us know what services you want and your motorcycle’s make and model.