Assuming you drive a moto or even a 250+ Big Bike, what do you do maintenance wise on your bike? What bike do you have?

I bought a new 2014 Honda Wave A. It has 4500 KM on the clock, so I've just been doing oil changes. I don't know what happened to the manual, but I am wondering what PREVENTATIVE things I should be doing. at 5,000km, I am sure Honda recommends having a few things looked at.

I don't know how long spark plugs last on these 100-125cc motobikes.

Do you know about valve clearance?
Do you get your carb cleaned and adjusted ( Better Gas Millage)
A new air filter is about $5.
Use the "Super" petrol, you will get the extra few riel back in a few extra KMs per liter.

What about your suspension and brakes? Front disc brakes need to be serviced after a while.

So what are you driving and what do you generally do to your bike to keep it moving?

I learned the hard way that my 1999 Baja XR650 does not go in for these new fangled fuels. I thought I'd do the right thing and feed it only higher octane fuel - doesn't like it, makes it pingy. Makes sense when I think about it.

I keep it away from Lexus drivers after one tried to flatten it by hooning up the wrong side of the road through a red light, leaving me lying in the intersection with assorted injuries.

Other than that...

NEVER buy fuel out of little bottles at roadside stands.
Check your air filter once in a while.
If you know your bike, it will tell you when the plug(s) need cleaning, regapping or replacing.
Likewise, you should feel when your breaks need attention, just do a visual check from time to time, including lines and fluid levels.
When all else fails, replace the decals, which will make it go faster.

And stay away from Lexus drivers. They're arseholes.

Lexus drivers... Don't get me started. Good advice StroppyChops

Honda Wave 125cc manual is here http://www.motorcycle.in.th/filemgmt/visit.php?lid=218

Oh, and don't run your bike through water deep enough to get it in the air intake (even splashes or bow waves from luxury SUVs) and preferably don't run it through flood water with your exhaust submerged - if you must and you ride a manual, keep the revs up at all times, even when shifting gears. If yours is twist and go, you're likely to end up with water in the exhaust. I think we discussed this elsewhere...

Yeah, water is bad plus you can't see what is underneath.

Sir_Quality_U_Feel wrote:Yeah, water is bad plus you can't see what is underneath.

I hit a submerged dislodged manhole cover the other day - fortunately that just pushed it back in place, hate to think of the outcome if it'd gone the other way. I really do wish they wouldn't leave a four-inch lip on those manholes when they resurface the roads, though, it's like hitting a wall sometimes.

Ouch.

Sir_Quality_U_Feel wrote:Assuming you drive a moto or even a 250+ Big Bike, what do you do maintenance wise on your bike? What bike do you have?

I bought a new 2014 Honda Wave A. It has 4500 KM on the clock, so I've just been doing oil changes. I don't know what happened to the manual, but I am wondering what PREVENTATIVE things I should be doing. at 5,000km, I am sure Honda recommends having a few things looked at.

I don't know how long spark plugs last on these 100-125cc motobikes.

Do you know about valve clearance?
Do you get your carb cleaned and adjusted ( Better Gas Millage)
A new air filter is about $5.
Use the "Super" petrol, you will get the extra few riel back in a few extra KMs per liter.

What about your suspension and brakes? Front disc brakes need to be serviced after a while.

So what are you driving and what do you generally do to your bike to keep it moving?

Brakes don't really need much servicing. You know when they're not working properly (need an adjustment, a bit more oil, new pads or a new seal).

Road bikes might not be as much of a regular thing, but I often change my front/rear sprockets and chain. You can tell they're worn if the teeth on your rear sprocket are getting "pointy/sharp" or are uneven (a "wave" like shape). Lot's of people wait way too long before changing them. Air filter/carb is also a biggie. Especially given how dusty (even in the rainy season) Cambodia can be.

The most important is probably oil changes. I get one every 500km or so, but I also use very basic oil (non-synthetic, 5-6$ oil). If I've been doing lot's of city driving, I'll just check it now and then to see if it's too grey for my liking.

StroppyChops wrote:I learned the hard way that my 1999 Baja XR650 does not go in for these new fangled fuels. I thought I'd do the right thing and feed it only higher octane fuel - doesn't like it, makes it pingy. Makes sense when I think about it.

I keep it away from Lexus drivers after one tried to flatten it by hooning up the wrong side of the road through a red light, leaving me lying in the intersection with assorted injuries.

Other than that...

NEVER buy fuel out of little bottles at roadside stands.
Check your air filter once in a while.

When all else fails, replace the decals, which will make it go faster.

Is there such a thing as an XR650 Baja? Pretty sure you just mean XR 650... I think the whole "fuel from bottles" thing is a bit of a myth. I've used fuel from those bottles probably hundreds of times and though I'm sure some people stretch it, it's usually fine. They usually just put a bit shy of a liter (they don't put rubbing alcohol as some often suggest). Still, it's the cheapest fuel so I also always go to gas stations unless I'm stuck in the sticks. But unless you have a high-end bike, there's no harm.

And yeah, new decals usually do the trick for speed increase/performance boost. Getting a new exhaust bearing also usually does wonders.

Thank you for the info Lexus. I change the oil on my wave every 1000km. Everyone's thoughts?