For any auto-adventure enthusiast, ATVs are a significant investment. Just like your daily driver, motorbike, or moped, if you own a quad bike and want it to run smoothly, routine maintenance is necessary. A couple of hours spent on regular maintenance of your ATV can save you days of hassles in the future. It's not at all difficult to service your ATV if you know how to use a wrench. Manufacturers these days aim to make machines that are easier to work on and provide better components.
Some manufacturers make quad bike models that require more work than others. Premium quality bikes can bear and withstand heavy wear and tear, while cheaper bikes may not perform as well under the same conditions. However, if you plan to buy an ATV, you must know everything about them before you spend your money.
Mud can be a huge hindrance to a quad bike. It gets grinded against the fittings and fixtures of the machine and if it is left to dry, chains and brakes suffer the consequences and get clogged up. Damp mud also leads to the corrosion of electrical components that are quite expensive to replace. If you don’t intend to spend hundreds of dollars on the maintenance of your bike, perform a routine servicing. The job may seem a little overwhelming, but it's easier than you think. Below are a few tips on how you can keep your ATV running smoothly:
Chains and brakes
Check the brake fluid and brake tension of your bike. After each ride, wash off the mud from the drive chain and brake cables before it dries as it can pose a safety concern on the next ride. While blasting off heavy grime, don’t use too much water pressure as it may get past seals and bearings and cause permanent damage to the electronic components.
Oil and filter
It is necessary to change your bike's oil from time to time as old oil collects dirt and debris and corrodes your quad’s internal engine components. Frequent replacement of the oil and oil filter will result in an efficient and smooth running engine. Experts recommend replacing these every 15 hours or so of riding.
To drain the oil, the bike needs to be warmed up. Keep the engine running for a few minutes before you unscrew the drain bolt so that the oil flows better, allowing contaminants to drain out.
Air filter
Just like the oil filter, the air filter too can get clogged up with dirt. While cleaning the air filters, don’t use abrasive brushes as they can cause damage. Cleaning solvents or just plain water does the job well. However, don’t clean the filters too frequently and if you are using a paper filter, consider replacing it rather than trying to clean it.
Nuts and bolts
Quad bikes are designed to be bouncy when on rough terrain, so there isn’t any need to check the machinery after each ride. However, sprocket bolts, pivot bolts etc become loose or start to vibrate with time. Routine oiling and tightening the bolts will keep the nuts in their place. Keep checking these small details every three months or so. What may seem like an unimportant task to you can quickly become a threat to your safety on the track.