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13 Bad Habits to Avoid That Will Save Your
13 Bad Habits to Avoid That Will Save Your
Motorcycle Engine
Motorcycle Engine
Your motorcycle's engine is the lubricates moving parts but also Pro Tip: Always consult your
heart of your machine. Whether cools and cleans the engine. Over owner's manual. Use oil that meets
you're riding a commuter bike, a time, oil degrades, collects JASO MA/MA2 standards if you
weekend cruiser, or a high- contaminants, and loses viscosity. have a wet clutch. The wrong oil
performance superbike, preserving Old or insufficient oil leads to can cause clutch slippage or
your engine should always be a premature wear on pistons, valves, accelerated engine wear.
p r i o r i t y . Y e t , m a n y bearings, and even the crankshaft. 3. Cold Revving the Engine
r i d e r s — s e a s o n e d o r P r o T i p : S t i c k t o t h e
new—unknowingly develop bad manufacturer's recommended oil Firing up your bike and twisting the
habits that can silently wreak havoc change intervals. If you're riding throttle before the engine is warm is
on their engines over time. a cardinal sin—especially in cold
hard, often in hot conditions, or weather.
From improper maintenance to using your bike daily, consider
riding techniques that stress changing the oil more frequently. Engines need time for oil to
internal components, these habits circulate fully. Cold revving spikes
can shorten the lifespan of your 2. Using the Wrong Type of Oil RPMs before the oil can properly
motorcycle and drain your wallet lubricate parts, leading to dry
with costly repairs. In this feature, All oils are not created equal. Your friction and internal scoring.
we'll explore 13 bad habits you friend's recommendation or that Pro Tip: Start your engine and let it
should kick to the curb to keep your “universal” oil on sale may not be idle for 30–60 seconds. Ride gently
suitable for your specific engine. for the first few kilometers to allow
engine purring for years to come.
Some oils lack the necessary full warm-up before heavy
1. Skipping Regular Oil Changes
a d d i t i v e s f o r m o t o r c y c l e acceleration.
The most common and easily transmissions or wet clutches. 4. Neglecting the Air Filter
avoidable engine killer? Neglecting Synthetic, semi-synthetic, or Air filters prevent dust, dirt, and
oil changes.
mineral—each type behaves debris from entering the engine. A
Motorcycle engines work at higher differently at various temperatures dirty or clogged air filter restricts
RPMs and generate more heat and RPMs. airflow, causes the engine to run
than car engines. Oil not only rich (too much fuel, not enough air),
LHR MOTORCYCLE MAGAZINE 24 JUNE 2025
