How Often Should You Ride Your Motorcycle?

A motorcycle offers stress-free and faster movement if you don’t have a car. But, if you own a motorcycle, you should know that it needs proper attention and maintenance to keep it running efficiently. Like the human body, motorcycles need to be taken care of to avoid breakdown. Also, if you don’t use it for some time and allow the parts to develop faults, it might disappoint you at important times.

So, how often should you ride your motorcycle? You should ride your motorcycle at least three days a week to avoid issues. Read on to learn how best to manage and take care of your motorcycle to avoid unwanted faults.

How Long Can A Motorcycle Sit Without Starting?

A motorcycle can sit without starting for 2 to 3 days. This is because if left for too long, the carburetor could get blocked up. The engine is another critical part of the motorcycle. It can die if the motorcycle is left to sit for too long without starting. To avoid a total breakdown, it is advisable to let a motorcycle sit for only 2 to 3 days without starting.

What Happens When A Motorcycle Sits For Too Long?

If you allow your motorcycle to sit for too long, the following happens;What Happens When A Motorcycle Sits For Too Long

1. The Motorcycle Paint Washes Away

Paint, in general, makes an automobile more appreciable and appealing to the eyes. When used on a motorcycle, its value can’t be underestimated.

If you are allowed to sit for too long without using this paint, gradually wash it away. This is due to factors like dusty wind, rain, scratches, e.t.c.

2. Metal Parts Begin to Rust

Rust is not far-fetched when the metal comes into play, especially when it’s been left for too long. When a motorcycle sits for too long, parts made of metal will begin to rust. This is a result of the presence of moisture.

3. Tires Develop Flat Spots

When a motorcycle sits for too long, the tires become brittle, making them develop flat spots.

4. Dust Covers the Motorcycle

Motorcycles are usually parked outside. As a result of this, if left to sit for too long, dust from the wind gets accumulated and covers it up.

5. Carburetor Gets Block

Due to the high sensitivity of the carburetor, if the motorcycle is left to sit for too long, moisture will get in and make it block.

6. Engine Packs up And Oil Gels

When a motorcycle is left to sit for too long, moisture gets in and mixes with the fuel, damages the carburetor, and leaves the engine at the mercy of breakdown.

If a motorcycle is left to sit for too long, the oil naturally becomes a gel.

This is because when a motorcycle sits, it’s neither in motion nor action. Consider, an automobile (motorcycle), just like the human body, if it is not in motion or action, the above will occur. In a nutshell, deterioration of the entire motorcycle occurs when it is left to sit for too long.

How Often Should You Ride Your Motorcycle?

Why purchase a motorcycle if you don’t want to ride it? Aside from the pleasure derived from riding, under or overuse of the motorcycle can damage it. This brings the question of how often should you ride your motorcycle.How Often Should You Ride Your Motorcycle

In other to keep your motorcycle in good shape and working properly, a few clues on how often you ride it is outlined below;

  • Minimum 20 to 30 Minutes: You should ride your motorcycle for a minimum of 20 to 30 minutes every day. This allows a daily recharge and put to check of all components of the motorcycle.
  • Maximum 2 to 4 Days: To avoid the overuse of the motorcycle, you should ride your motorcycle a maximum of 2 to 4 days a week. This prevents the brakes and gears from wearing out.
  • Miles Per Year: You should ride your motorcycle a minimum of 20,000 to 25,000 miles per annum. This preserves the life span and durability of the motorcycle.
  • Strength Of The Owner: Strength varies in individuals based on size. If you are chubby with so much strength and weight, you should ride your motorcycle for lesser hours per day. This helps reduce the weight on the motorcycle and prevents rapid wear out of the brakes and gear. For the elderly and less weight, you can ride for long hours and days in a week. This could increase your rate of exercise and keep the body fit.
  • Make Of The: The design (make) of the motorcycle can determine how often you can ride it. Some designs (make) are stronger in quality compared to the others. So if the make of your motorcycle (quality) is durable, you can ride your motorcycle for longer hours per day.
  • Size Of The Motorcycle: Motorcycles vary in size. Some are a bigger size than others. This size affects some components like the engine and fuel tank. Each component has a specific distance it can cover per day. Like the Engine, if customized for a certain distance, it has to be used within that limit.
  • Fuel In The Tank: The type of fuel in the tank also affects how often you should ride the motorcycle. If it’s treated, it can last long in the tank without deteriorating. Therefore, you need not ride too often.
    If the fuel in the tank is untreated, you have to ride longer hours per day to exhaust and prevent it from affecting the tank.
  • Weather: Most times, the weather is usually unfavorable. It’s important to note that cold weather could winterize the motorcycle. So, you should ride the motorcycle more frequently to avoid it.

Are There Any Downsides to Riding a Motorcycle More Often?

There are downsides to riding a motorcycle more often. Both to the rider and on the motorcycle. Though its ease of movement for people without a car and fun derived, it also has its downsides.Downsides to Riding a Motorcycle More Often

Just like the human body, motorcycles are not to be taken lightly. Below are unavoidable downsides of riding a motorcycle too often.

Cost of Maintenance

Based on the type of your motorcycle the maintenance cost of a bike will vary. From its tire which could go bad from riding typically to its engine, fuel tank, and to mention but a few. You have to buy new tires regularly, service the engine regularly and change the fuel tank once damaged. Also, to prevent accidents, broken pads and gear need to be replaced frequently.

Accidents

Accidents are unpredictable, especially with motorcycles. Due to its speed, when used more frequently, it could occur. This always leads to a long-term side effect of the wound incurred.Downsides to Riding a Motorcycle - Accidents

Also, some accidents could claim the life of the rider and damage the motorcycle beyond repair. That’s why you also need to use the most visible motorcycle helmet all the time while riding to keep your eyes active and the head protective.

Mental Breakdown

It’s not new news that while riding a motorcycle you are being exposed to wind. If the wind is dusty, it gets on your hair and clothes. If peradventure you are on for a meeting, it affects your general appearance and output.

Also, while riding, you tend to be careful to avoid oncoming vehicles and trucks. You do a mental calculation of how to avoid them and stay safe on the road. This, when done too often, could put a strain on the brain, leading to a mental breakdown.

Health Deterioration

While riding a motorcycle, you are being exposed to dust, wind, rain, snow, e.t.c. These get into the body system and gradually build up into an ailment or disease. Most times, we rarely get to notice until the sickness eats deep into the body system.

Also, if you ride your motorcycle too often, it could result in lower back pain. This is because of the position assumed while riding the motorcycle. Erectile dysfunction and loss of hair can also arise.

Tips to Keep Your Motorcycle in Good Condition

We are always carefree about our motorcycles. Most times, we forget that the motorcycle could pack up without proper maintenance. In most cases, we just set out on the motorcycle without checking if the motorcycle is in good condition or not.  This could be life-threatening as accidents are unpredictable with motorcycles.Tips to Keep Your Motorcycle in Good Condition

Outlined are tips to keep your motorcycle in good condition;

  1. Check to top up or replace engine oil
  2. Check the tires regularly. This prevents you from riding with a flat or punctured tire.
  3. Wash the motorcycle daily. This prevents the accumulation of dust on the motorcycle. It also makes the motorcycle appear neat and appreciable.
  4. Park the motorcycle under a shade avoid contact with direct sunlight.
  5. Always keep the air filter clean.
  6. Always examine your battery for any leakage. Top up the water regularly.
  7. Ensure the battery is fully charged, especially when the motorcycle is not in use.
  8. Replace worn-out brake pads.
  9. Replace worn-out gear.
  10. Change the brake oil regularly.
  11. Check the fork and fork oil. Especially after 12000kilometers of riding.
  12. Service the engine regularly.
    12.1 Clean the carburetor at intervals, especially while riding
    12.2 Clean the spark plugs
    12.3 Keep the choke clean.
    12.4 Change whatever part is bad once damaged.

Conclusion

How often should you ride your motorcycle? As typically as the need arises. However, we can’t overlook factors that can affect this. In a nutshell, you should ride your motorcycle as often as 20- 30 minutes a day at minimum and 3 to 4 days a week at maximum.

Also, if your fuel tank is filled with untreated fuel, you have to ride longer to exhaust the untreated fuel. This will help reduce the possibility of the tank getting rusted.

Ryan Walker

Ryan Walker

Hi, I'm Ryan Walker, the chief editor and the founder of this site, Motoable. I’m a bike rider, and I’ve been riding motorbikes for almost thirty-five years. I worked for a renowned motorbike accessories manufacturing company for twelve years as a quality in charge.Later, I start my own business where I sell different bike accessories and safety gear for motorbikes. I created this site Motoable to share my experience with other bikers who are new to this field and don’t have adequate knowledge about motorbikes and their accessories.

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