Motorcycles have consumables such as brake pads and engine oil that need to be properly replaced. To what extent do you maintain those consumables?
Are you doing it in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations and generally accepted time frame? Or maybe it's just when it gets a little out of shape or feels strange. When I buy a new motorcycle, I send it in for inspection as the shop tells me to, but I tend to neglect it when I get a used motorcycle from a private sale.
I had a sad experience on Christmas Eve a few years ago when I was hurrying home in my beloved Cygnus and suddenly it stopped moving forward at the same time as a tremendous sound of metal coming apart from around the engine. I've been feeling the acceleration getting worse for a little while now, so I was thinking of changing the belt or at least replacing it, but... yes, it was too late.
In this article, I've compiled a list of symptoms of neglecting the replacement maintenance of such wear and tear and the cost of repairs you may be concerned about. The price listed is the total cost of parts and labor to replace them with genuine parts or genuine equivalent parts.
Please note that the labor charges will vary from shop to shop and from model to model. Please note that these are approximate amounts.
Plug replacement
3,000 to 20,000 km
Spark plug manufacturers recommend roughly 3,000 to 5,000km as a guide. Motorcycle manufacturers often note that it is roughly around 20,000 km. It is necessary to look at the condition of the plugs rather than replace them based on the distance, as it varies considerably depending on the type of motorcycle and the condition of the engine.
Approximate replacement cost
125cc scooter: about 24 USD for one scooter
1,000cc class: about 57 to 85 USD for 4 bottles
Risk of failure to replace the plug: low
The role of the plug is to send sparks flying to explode the "mixture" of gasoline and air. The central electrode, which flies sparks, gets very hot and wears out with use. If it causes the sparks to fly poorly, it can reduce fuel efficiency, slow acceleration, and even stop the engine.
And I'm curious about the cost of repairing it when that happens. In most cases, if you have these symptoms, replacing the plugs is often not as important as it could be. However, in rare cases, the electrodes may melt or crack, affecting the pistons and a wider area. The plug inspection and replacement process are not too difficult. If you do it yourself, you can do it for free if you just do the inspection.
Engine oil change
When to replace the engine oil
3,000 to 5,000 km or 6 months
Approximate replacement cost
125cc scooter: 28 USD -47 USD
1,000cc class: about 95 USD
Risk of missing an engine oil change: MAX
The oil has the following roles
- Lubrication to reduce friction between metals
- Cleaning action that disperses the dirt in the oil and prevents it from accumulating
- Sealing action to keep the compressed gas inside the cylinder
- Cooling effect to prevent burning by absorbing frictional heat
- Creates an oil film to protect metals
Engine oil is like blood in human terms, and it plays multiple very important roles on your motorcycle. Failing to change that oil can cause serious problems, such as engine seizure, and will require an engine overhaul or worse, a replacement. When this happens, it's not uncommon for repair costs to be "cheaper to buy a new motorcycle".
Approximate repair costs
125cc scooter: approximately 570 USD to 1,900 USD
1000cc class: 950 USD to 5,700 USD
The oil change can be done in 20-30 minutes if you make an appointment and then go to the shop. You want to find a shop you can go to and maintain it regularly.
Also, if you have a specific tool, even those who are not so good at mechanics can maintain it by themselves. If you ride a lot of motorcycles on a regular basis and get a lot of mileage out of them, you'll save a lot of money.
Brake Pad Replacement
Approximate replacement distance
5,000 - 10,000 km This is the general rule of thumb, but it will vary depending on the driving conditions.
If the motorcycle is mainly driven on roads, the wear rate will be different than if the motorcycle is mainly driven on highways, since the brakes are used more often. Check the mileage as well as the remaining thickness of the brake pads, and it's time to replace them before they fall below 3mm.
Approximate replacement cost
1,000cc class: Double disc vehicle front only, about 142 USD to 190 USD
Risk level for failure to replace brake pads: High
The role of the brake pads is to pinch the disc rotor and slow the motorcycle down. As that padded area wears down and becomes less and less, the brakes become less effective. If the discs are worn down further, the disc rotor will be sandwiched between the base of the brake pads, which will cause damage to the disc rotor, requiring replacement and repair of the disc rotor.
Approximate repair costs
1000cc class: Double disc vehicle front only, about 570 USD
The disc rotor itself is an expensive part, so replacing the pads is a must before it gets sad. Most importantly, a motorcycle with poor braking is extremely dangerous! It is a direct result of an accident and must be maintained responsibly as long as you ride your motorcycle.
Chain replacement
Replacement target
10,000 to 20,000 km
The above is just the general life span of the chain. In fact, the timing of chain replacement can vary quite a bit depending on whether you are maintaining the chain properly or not.
Approximate replacement cost
1000cc: 142 USD - 190 USD
It's so expensive!
Risk of failing to change the chain: medium to max
As mentioned in the "Suggested Replacement Period" section, the timing of replacement is not the only important factor in the case of a chain, but the daily maintenance of tension, cleaning, and refueling is also important.
It is said that the chain should be maintained every 500km. Yes, it's much shorter than an oil change.
Failure to do so will result if you keep driving with a fully extended chain, it can come off or break. If the broken chain escapes backward successfully, it can be repaired for about the same amount of money as a normal replacement, but if it jumps forward and destroys the crankcase, the cost of repair can be outrageous.
Approximate repair costs 1000cc class: 190 USD to 3,326 USD
As an added bonus, the rear wheel could well lock up and lead to a fall.
Chains can cost between 38 USD and 47 USD for maintenance alone. I recommend checking it out when you're on a long touring trip, regardless of the distance, because you can see it from the outside.
Neglecting to replace or maintain consumables will result in unexpectedly high repair bills!
The amounts given here are only approximate costs for replacement and repair of genuine equivalent parts. If the motorcycle is actually stopped, you may have to pay the towing fee, or even a citation if you are on the highway, for example. Don't be bothered, but make sure you replace and maintain your supplies.
Otherwise, you'll have to push your motorcycle home on Christmas Eve like what had happened to me........