Common motorcycle maintenance mistakes

Motorcycle maintenance looks similar to car maintenance, but several habits that seem sensible are actually harmful.

One common mistake is over-tightening plastic body parts. Fairings, side covers and fenders are held by small fasteners into relatively soft mounts, and too much torque cracks the mount rather than making the fit more secure. Tighten until snug and no further.

Another is cleaning lighting units with strong solvents. Headlight and taillight lenses are plastic, and harsh cleaners can cloud them permanently. Warm water and a soft cloth are enough.

Lastly, many riders ignore small cracks in exterior parts. A hairline crack in a fender or cover tends to spread with vibration, so it is cheaper to replace the part early than to wait for it to fail on the road.