In the US, around 8 percent of households own at least one motorcycle. For some owners, it’s about maintaining a vintage bike as a hobby. For others, it’s a daily use vehicle whenever the weather permits.
Sadly, owning a motorcycle doesn’t necessarily equate with solid maintenance knowledge for the motorcycle. You may well find yourself asking a question like:
“Do I need to replace my motorcycle brake?”
If you’ve asked this question, keep reading for five reasons why you should replace your motorcycle brake.
1. It’s the Right Time of Year
The best time you can perform maintenance on any machine is when you’re not actively using it. Riding a motorcycle is a warm-weather activity. Unless you live in a particularly balmy location, your motorcycle is likely stowed safely in your garage for the winter.
That means you can perform some motorcycle brake maintenance without disrupting any riding plans with friends or family.
2. Safety
Brake pads do most of the work in stopping your motorcycle. Unlike many parts on your motorcycle, there are no fixed rules about how long they will last. At best, you get general guidelines because how you ride determines the total wear.
Motorcycle brake replacement ensures that you get maximum stopping efficiency, which improves your safety as you ride. On the off chance you do end up in an accident, though, you can learn more about what to do here.
3. Extends Component Life
As brake pads wear out, they put additional pressure on all the other components of your braking system. While you should expect some wear and tear, putting off brake pad replacement can leave you with unnecessary damage to those other components. That can drive up the motorcycle brake cost when you take it in for service.
4. Reduces Long-Term Costs
Regular replacement of brake pads functions a lot like regular oil changes. It reduces the long-term maintenance costs of your motorcycle. You only pay out for regular maintenance, rather than paying for repairs of catastrophic part failures.
5. Get Better Products
Whether you got your bike new off the lot or bought it used from someone, you got whatever brake pads the manufacturer or previous owner bought. Those pads might prove outstanding or they might prove the cheapest ones available.
Switching them out gives you the opportunity to pick a product that you feel confident about.
Replacing Your Motorcycle Brakes Makes Sense
Replacing your motorcycle brake makes sense for a lot of reasons. It’s a safety issue, for one. Worn out brakes can make riding dangerous for you and the other people on the road.
With the cold weather on everyone’s doorstep and most motorcycles in storage, it’s the ideal time.
It’s practical from a financial standpoint. You extend the life of brake system components and reduce long-term maintenance costs. You also get to pick the best motorcycle brake, rather than settling for whatever the last owner slapped on there.
Looking for more maintenance tips for your motorcycle or car? Check out the articles in our How To section.