3 Things Every Harley Owner Should Be Doing For Their Bike

"Being an owner means being responsible," is one of the things my Dad used to say, and it makes sense. As an owner you should be vigilant and watch for early warning signs to help prevent major disasters later on.

This is true if you are responsible for an animal - you have your dog/cat vaccinated to prevent him or her from getting sick. If you own a house and ignored that the furnace was going out or the roof leaked, you know you'll be into spending some serious money to get them fixed.

I asked Chad, our Service Manager at FX Caprara Harley-Davidson, what are the 3 things he wished Harley owners would do for their bikes, and here's what he said:

Battery Tender

Sure you need it during the winter when your bike is hibernating and the snow is falling. But even in the warmest summer months, if you're not riding for even a week or two, it's a good idea to plug your bike in. 

Brake Service

Everybody loves to go fast, but forget that it's just as important to be able to stop when you need to. If you have your bike routinely maintained (like your owners manual says in the back), you'll be fine. (Are you maintaining your ABS?) The very worn brake pads above are mine, off my bike, while she was getting her 50K mile service.

Tire Pressure

We had a customer bring his bike in for service, swearing up & down that the wheel bearings were gone in his front tire. What was the actual problem? His tire pressure was about 12 pounds under what it should be. If he had just bothered to check he could've saved himself a bit of money.

Doing these three things is not a guarantee that your bike won't need service or repair later on. But it will help you to get to know your bike better and possibly prevent major damage down the road.

Are you maintaining your ABS?

No matter what your summer beach body looks like, you  
should know that ABS (aka Anti-Lock Braking System) - if you have it - is important. (I apologize if you were hoping this blog was going to talk about abdominal muscles!)

Do you know if your bike has ABS? The technology has been around since 2005 in Harley-Davidson Touring & Police models, V-Rod models got it in 2008, and today ABS is an option (if not standard) for every 2-wheeled motorcycle Harley makes. 

Look for the ABS module in the space in front of the motor, between the down tubes of your bike's frame, just behind the front wheel.

Or check out your front brake caliper - there will be a wire running alongside the brake line.

Still not sure if your bike has ABS? Just type your bike's VIN into FXCHD's "Contact Us" webpage and I'll look it up for you.

Ok, so back to maintenance: the memories made while riding your motorcycle will last a lifetime! The brake fluid.... not so much!! It is right in the H-D owner's manual that you should have your brake fluid changed every two years - no matter what your riding style is.

Regardless of who made your motorcycle, your bike will take care of you as much as you take care of it. Changing your brake fluid is part of the cost of properly maintaining your bike - just like oil & filter changes, brake pads, tires, etc.

That's because the "brake fluid ages and absorbs water over time. This reduces its performance and ability to protect the internal components of the brake system. If left unaddressed, it may eventually lead to a loss of brake function." <directly from Harley-Davidson Motor Company, Inc. (it don't get more official than that!!)

And, unless you're a certified mechanic with the necessary 
tools, specifically Digital Tech II, and knowledge to replace your brake fluid as recommended, I urge you to take your bike to your local authorized Harley-Davidson dealer. 

This is where that old saying comes in: If you think it's expensive to hire an expert, try hiring an amateur. Going fast is fun, but being able to stop when you want is necessary for motorcycle riding. Hire the expert and have us service your bike.