First days: Living with a motorcycle: Difference between revisions

Line 169:

You will need a [[What sort of pressure gauges are available?|tire pressure gauge]] to do this. These are available for as little as a dollar or two (or your local currency's equivalent) at an auto parts store.

Checking the tire pressure is about as simple as they come. Locate the valve stem on one of your wheels, and take off the cap. If you don't have a valve stem cap, nip down to the parts store and pick up some spares~~: they~~'re cheap, and they'll keep crud out of your valves. With the cap off, push the pressure gauge down over valve so that the receptacle is seated firmly and squarely. It'll stop hissing when you've found the right position.

Checking the tire pressure is about as simple as they come. Locate the valve stem on one of your wheels and take off the cap. If you don't have a valve stem cap, nip down to the parts store and pick up some spares. They're cheap, and they'll keep crud out of your valves. With the cap off, push the pressure gauge down over valve so that the receptacle is seated firmly and squarely. It'll stop hissing when you've found the right position.

Pull off the gauge, and look at what it indicates. I can't offer you any advice on what pressures you should run, but your owner's manual should have that information. If the gauge indicates too low, get yourself to an air pump (bicycle tire pump, air compressor, etc.) and inflate the tire until it's at the manufacturer's recommendation. Because motorcycle tires are relatively low volume, it doesn't take much air to change the pressure up or down.

Pull off the gauge and look at what it indicates. I can't offer you any advice on [[What tire pressures should I use?|what pressures]] you should run, but your owner's manual should have that information. If the gauge indicates too low, get yourself to an air pump (bicycle tire pump, air compressor, etc.) and inflate the tire until it's at the manufacturer's recommendation. Because motorcycle tires are relatively low volume; it doesn't take much air to change the pressure up or down.

Note that even a small difference in pressure (like 1-2 PSI, or .05 - .1 bar) can noticeably change the handling of the bike. It's worth it to check the tire pressure about once a week, or every time you ride if it's less often ~~than once a week~~.

Note that even a small difference in pressure (like 1-2 PSI, or .05 - .1 bar) can noticeably change the handling of the bike. It's worth it to check the tire pressure about once a week, or every time you ride if it's less often.

====Check the Electrical Components ====

@@ Line 169: / Line 169: @@
 You will need a [[What sort of pressure gauges are available?|tire pressure gauge]] to do this. These are available for as little as a dollar or two (or your local currency's equivalent) at an auto parts store.
-Checking the tire pressure is about as simple as they come. Locate the valve stem on one of your wheels, and take off the cap. If you don't have a valve stem cap, nip down to the parts store and pick up some spares: they're cheap, and they'll keep crud out of your valves. With the cap off, push the pressure gauge down over valve so that the receptacle is seated firmly and squarely. It'll stop hissing when you've found the right position.
+Checking the tire pressure is about as simple as they come. Locate the valve stem on one of your wheels and take off the cap. If you don't have a valve stem cap, nip down to the parts store and pick up some spares. They're cheap, and they'll keep crud out of your valves. With the cap off, push the pressure gauge down over valve so that the receptacle is seated firmly and squarely. It'll stop hissing when you've found the right position.
-Pull off the gauge, and look at what it indicates. I can't offer you any advice on what pressures you should run, but your owner's manual should have that information. If the gauge indicates too low, get yourself to an air pump (bicycle tire pump, air compressor, etc.) and inflate the tire until it's at the manufacturer's recommendation. Because motorcycle tires are relatively low volume, it doesn't take much air to change the pressure up or down.
+Pull off the gauge and look at what it indicates. I can't offer you any advice on [[What tire pressures should I use?|what pressures]] you should run, but your owner's manual should have that information. If the gauge indicates too low, get yourself to an air pump (bicycle tire pump, air compressor, etc.) and inflate the tire until it's at the manufacturer's recommendation. Because motorcycle tires are relatively low volume; it doesn't take much air to change the pressure up or down.
-Note that even a small difference in pressure (like 1-2 PSI, or .05 - .1 bar) can noticeably change the handling of the bike. It's worth it to check the tire pressure about once a week, or every time you ride if it's less often than once a week.
+Note that even a small difference in pressure (like 1-2 PSI, or .05 - .1 bar) can noticeably change the handling of the bike. It's worth it to check the tire pressure about once a week, or every time you ride if it's less often.
 ====Check the Electrical Components ====