Even if you do most of your own basic motorcycle maintenance, it doesn’t hurt to bring the bike in for a motorcycle tune up. This is a good thing to do in the spring, especially if your bike has been stored all winter.
You might be wondering how much does a motorcycle tune up cost. It’s also possible you’re wondering what a tune up entails and whether or not you should bring your bike to a mechanic for a tune-up.
In this post, we’ll be looking at motorcycle tune-ups and what you can expect. This way you can decide on your own whether or not it’s worth it to get a motorcycle tune up.
Let’s jump right into it!
Jump Ahead To:
Is a Motorcycle Tune Up Worth It?
Before diving into the more specific details, let’s take a look at whether or not a motorcycle tune up is worth it. There are a number of costs associated with owning a motorcycle and depending on your skill level a tune up is one of them.
Motorcycle maintenance is a key part of owning a bike. Just about every motorcycle comes with a service schedule that lets you know how to properly maintain it.
Regularly checking on your bike’s condition and having it tuned up is important for it to keep running properly and maintaining your safety on the road. Just like having your car regularly serviced, a motorcycle tune up ensures everything is running smoothly.
It involves having your oil levels checked, brakes calibrated, and other fluids and components changed, checked, and inspected. While many of you will do this maintenance on your own, it can be beyond the skill level of some riders.
The purpose of a tune-up is to keep your bike in the best shape it can be. Surprisingly, regularly maintaining your motorcycle will definitely save you money in the long run and provide a better riding experience overall.
It also helps with selling your bike in the future. Regular tune ups help to ensure your bike retains its resale value since a prospective buyer will want to know the maintenance history. Don’t forget to save any maintenance records and receipts if you’re planning on selling your used motorcycle.
How Often Should You Get a Motorcycle Tune Up?
Another common question many motorcyclists ask is how often should you get a motorcycle tune up? The answer can be found in the maintenance schedule inside the owner’s manual of your motorcycle.
This is where you’ll find all of the time frames for the important parts of motorcycle maintenance. Alternatively, it’s a good idea to have a tune up at least once every 5,000 miles. This includes checking all of the components and fluids on your bike and replacing anything if necessary.
Don’t forget that the oil should be changed more frequently. It’s a good idea to change your motorcycle oil every 2,500 miles to keep things fresh and lubricated.
Along with every 5000 miles, it doesn’t hurt to check and inspect everything on a six-month basis. However, this depends on how often you’re riding and the overall condition of the motorcycle.
Frequent users, those of you riding regularly, will want to perform these inspections and tune-ups on a more regular basis. This will also allow you to become more comfortable with your own maintenance, saving you money by not visiting the mechanic as often.
As for the components to check on your bike, this depends how long it has been between maintenance periods. For example, engine oil, brake pads (check out our Duralast brake pads review), and filters need to be checked on a regular basis. On the other hand, brake fluid, valves, and spark plugs don’t need to be checked as often.
Depending on what needs to be done, it can be an affordable or expensive tune up. Regardless of the cost, it’s a good idea to stay on top of motorcycle maintenance as necessary.
How Much Does a Motorcycle Tune Up Cost?
It’s hard to set a specific cost for a tune up. The price depends on what needs to be done and if you’re using a mechanic or doing everything yourself.
For a basic motorcycle tune up, including an oil change, filter change, and basic inspection, you could expect to spend between $60 and $150. A more labor-intensive tune-up, such as for a spark plug change or valve check, can cost up to $500 or more
Obviously doing all of your own maintenance and motorcycle checks will save you money in the long run. It also helps if you can find OEM parts from a local dealer rather than relying on aftermarket parts from your mechanic.
DIY Motorcycle Tune-Up
It’s not too difficult to do your own motorcycle tune-up at home. Assuming you have a set of basic motorcycle tools, all of the information for maintenance should be available online.
YouTube is full of helpful tutorials covering everything from oil changes to valve clearance checks. It’s even possible to find the dedicated service manual for your bike with a quick Google search.
All you really need is a basic tool set, some WD-40, spanners, wrenches, and motorcycle oil for your bike. With this gear you can do most of your own maintenance at home.
You are some helpful tips for your own DIY tune up to keep everything running in optimum shape:
- Regularly check all of the fluid levels. Replace the motorcycle oil and motorcycle oil filter when recommended in the service manual.
- Check the motorcycle battery and its current charge. Considered using a battery tender if you’re planning to store your bike for an extended period of time.
- Check and change the spark plugs as recommended in the service manual.
- Regularly clean and lubricate your motorcycle chain. Check the tension and adjust the chain when required. Using a motorcycle chain brush can make this process easier.
- Inspect the tires on a weekly basis for flat spots and general wear. Check the pressure and add air as necessary. Consider picking up a set of new motorcycle tires if yours are old or worn down.
Get used to following these helpful motorcycle maintenance tips and getting into a check-up routine. This will help keep your bike in better shape and make it easier to find any issues before they become serious problems.
Even if you don’t ride very often, it’s a good idea to keep your motorcycle tuned up. Avoid letting it sit for more than a few months at a time without rotating the wheels and giving in a checkup.
Final Thoughts
Maintaining your own motorcycle doesn’t need to be difficult or expensive. It’s important to be aware of the cost of your average motorcycle tune-up and how often it needs to be done.
Even without much experience, consider doing your own maintenance to learn about your bike and keep costs down. This way you’ll never have to worry about any problems as long as you stay ahead of them.
Maintaining your bike can be a fun learning experience that will save you money in the process. With so much helpful information online, from videos to detailed posts, there’s no reason why you can’t do all of your own basic motorcycle maintenance.
Leave a Reply