Preventive Maintenance Servicing for Motorcycles: Is It Worth the Cost?

When it comes to servicing, many motorcycle owners will have a similar question to ask: does preventative maintenance save money or does it lead to servicing for the sake of it, and unwanted extra cost?

Here we aim to break down the distinction that exists, i.e. servicing that is recommended as part of scheduled maintenance, and work that may be considered to have a preventative element but is not strictly performed with a clear technical reason in mind.

What does preventative maintenance servicing mean?

Preventative maintenance refers to checks, inspections, adjustments and replacement of parts or fluids before an actual fault occurs.

Specifically referring to motorcycles this may include:

• Engine oil and oil filter changes at the manufacturer's recommended intervals.
• Checking and maintaining chain tension, lubrication and wear.
• Inspecting brake pads, discs and brake fluid.
• Checking tyres for tread, damage, age and correct pressures.
• Inspecting steering, suspension, wheel bearings and fasteners.
• Replacing service items such as spark plugs, air filters and fluids according to the manufacturer's schedule.
• Checking valve clearances or other model-specific maintenance requirements when due.

The precise maintenance requirements vary considerably between motorcycles. The manufacturer's owner's manual and service schedule should be the starting point rather than applying the same servicing routine to every bike. Suzuki, for example, advises owners to follow the service schedule in their motorcycle's manual, with particular attention to severe riding conditions.

Preventive maintenance vs reactive repairs

Let’s see how preventative motorcycle maintenance stacks up against reactive repairs.

We should note that preventative maintenance is not a be all and end all solution to repairs or breakdowns, but rather that planned maintenance takes the specific requirements, age and condition of the bike into account.

The Benefits of Preventive Maintenance

Following from that point, we can nonetheless say that preventive maintenance can help reduce the risk of unexpected breakdowns. Key here is the identification of issues like worn components and deteriorating fluids and heading off more serious problems before they occur. This is of particular importance for bikes in regular daily use.

Secondly, preventative motorcycle maintenance can support safety on the bike, with checks made to parts like brakes, tyres, suspension and lights. It’s an important part of responsible bike ownership to ensure a machine is as safe as possible and that poor maintenance or neglect do not lead to poor safety on the road.

Ensuring correct lubrication, chain tension and other adjustments can help protect components and extend life and avoid the issues that come with poor maintenance. Further, a clear record of servicing can help with residual value with, perhaps unsurprisingly, leading manufacturers clearly stating that following a recommended service schedule with optimise resale value.

Can Preventive Servicing Lead to Unnecessary Costs?

You may well be asking at this stage that if your bike is running perfectly well, why should you pay for maintenance that does not appear to be necessary? There is no single answer to this question as bikes, parts and fluids all vary, as do manufacturers’ maintenance recommendations. What we can be clear about is that a component can be checked without automatically having to be replaced, and that actual servicing tasks can be scheduled based on mileage or time, rather than obvious problems or symptoms.

In addition to this, the age and usage of the bike can be considered so that maintenance and servicing can be offered that best suit the motorcycle, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, which may recommend unnecessary work or omit important tasks.

At Dowleys we aim to offer genuine transparency around motorcycle maintenance and servicing. We are happy to answer your questions about the importance or scheduling of any work that we propose. Our aim is always to help customers understand the difference between important work that we strongly recommend and advisory items that may be deferred to a later date.

When Should You Book a Motorcycle Service?

There are a few key milestones where we suggest a service is required.

Most importantly, book a service at manufacturers service intervals, either on time, mileage or both and even on low-mileage bikes. As we mentioned above, this is also a consideration in retaining the value of the motorcycle for future sale.

A pre-journey check is a good point to book in before you set off on a long trip. It may not be a substitute for the full scheduled service and may not be a total guarantee, but it can help identify any issues before you set off, particularly if the bike has been in storage or unused for a prolonged period.

If you are considering buying a bike or have just purchased one second-hand, it’s a good idea to get a full service in at this stage as a simple inspection may not reveal the full extent of potential problems. This is more so when dealing with older bikes or where there’s a partial or absent service history.

To book a motorcycle service or ask for more information, contact Dowleys today.

In conclusion

Preventive maintenance is not about spending money on every possible repair before a problem occurs. It's about understanding your motorcycle's maintenance requirements, identifying potential issues early and making informed decisions about the work your bike needs. Make a comparison of the cost of maintenance with the price of neglect.

Following the manufacturer's service schedule and choosing a garage that explains its recommendations can help you maintain your motorcycle's safety, reliability and condition. At the same time, it is reasonable to ask questions about additional work, understand what is urgent and receive a clear estimate before agreeing to repairs.

A good preventive maintenance approach should help you look after your motorcycle without paying for work that isn't justified by its service requirements or condition.