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“Long idling on hot days without movement can
cause overheating.”
and increases fuel consumption shorten component life. time—especially ethanol-blended
while reducing performance. gas, which attracts moisture.
While it's fine to enjoy spirited riding
Worse, a neglected or torn filter lets occasionally, frequent hard Letting your bike sit with stale fuel
contaminants in, which can cause a c c e l e r a t i o n , a g g r e s s i v e can clog injectors, gum up
cylinder scoring and damage to downshifting, and track-day style carburetors, and corrode internal
valves. riding on public roads will take a toll. parts.
Contaminated fuel can also cause
Pro Tip: Inspect and clean or Pro Tip: Ride dynamically, but with
r e p l a c e y o u r a i r fi l t e r a s mechanical sympathy. Use full knocking or detonation, harming
recommended. If you ride in dusty RPM range, but avoid living at the the combustion chamber.
c o n d i t i o n s , c h e c k i t m o r e redline. Pro Tip: Use fresh, high-quality
fuel. If storing your bike, add a fuel
frequently.
stabilizer and run the engine for a
5. Improper Chain Maintenance 8. Ignoring Valve Clearance
Intervals few minutes to circulate it. Drain
While not directly part of the carbs if storing for more than a
engine, your chain transfers engine Valve clearance adjustment is month.
power to the rear wheel. A dry, critical for maintaining engine
worn, or loose chain increases efficiency. Tight valves can prevent
engine strain and puts undue proper sealing, cause power loss, 11. Overloading the Bike
stress on the output shaft bearing. and increase the risk of burnt Consistently riding with excessive
valves. Loose valves may lead to w e i g h t s t r a i n s t h e e n t i r e
Additionally, a neglected chain
increases fuel consumption and valve train noise and wear. powertrain. The engine works
power loss. Modern bikes may go tens of h a r d e r t o m o v e t h e l o a d ,
thousands of kilometers before generating more heat and
Pro Tip: Clean and lubricate your increasing wear on the clutch and
chain every 500–800 km or after needing adjustment, but don't transmission.
riding in wet or dirty conditions. assume you're exempt.
Always check chain tension and Pro Tip: Check your service This habit is common among
alignment. manual. Follow valve clearance touring riders who carry luggage,
inspection and adjustment passengers, or modifications
intervals precisely. without considering the bike's load
6. Riding at Low RPMs All the limits.
Time
9. Using Cheap or Wrong Spark Pro Tip: Know your bike's GVWR
“Lugging” the engine—riding at low (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating).
RPMs in high gear—is often Plugs Pack light, distribute weight evenly,
mistaken for a fuel-saving tactic. In Spark plugs are inexpensive but and avoid overburdening your bike.
reality, it causes the engine to work vital. Using the wrong heat range or
harder, increases vibrations, and low-quality plugs can result in 12. Not Letting the Cooling
stresses the bottom end and misfires, poor fuel economy, or System Work
transmission. even piston damage in extreme For liquid-cooled bikes, engine
cases. temperature is regulated by
Modern engines are built to run
efficiently within a specific RPM Fouled or worn plugs cause hard coolant, fans, and thermostats.
range. Riding below that sweet starts, rough idling, and incomplete Neglecting coolant changes or
spot causes premature wear. combustion, which leaves carbon riding with a faulty radiator fan can
deposits in your engine. result in overheating—one of the
Pro Tip: Downshift when needed. quickest ways to destroy an
Keep the engine spinning in its Pro Tip: Always use OEM-spec engine.
optimal torque range—not too high, spark plugs or high-quality
not too low. aftermarket alternatives. Inspect Even air-cooled engines rely on
them periodically and replace as airflow. Long idling on hot days
needed. without movement can cause
7. Constant High RPM Riding overheating.
On the flip side, consistently Pro Tip: Maintain proper coolant
redlining your bike or riding at peak 10. Fueling Up With Old or Dirty levels. Inspect hoses and radiator
RPMs can overheat the engine, Gasoline condition regularly. If you're stuck in
accelerate internal wear, and F u e l d e g r a d e s o v e r traffic often, ensure your fan is
LHR MOTORCYCLE MAGAZINE 25 JUNE 2025
