From t.-c.l.o.c.s. To b.o.b.c.a.t.: Managing Your Harley-Davidson Maintenance Routine
There's more to riding your Harley-Davidson than getting in the saddle and chasing the horizon. As appealing as that sounds, your Harley-Davidson needs a little more attention before each ride, and in many instances, that attention is something you give without knowing it. For example, it's often second nature to glance at the tires to ensure they're properly inflated and check the gauges to determine the fuel level or if it's time for an oil change. But what else should be part of your Harley-Davidson maintenance routine?
As your motorcycle dealer and Harley-Davidson authority, we're here to answer that question to ensure you get the most from your road warrior. Harley-Davidson has an incredible reputation and a rich history of building jaw-dropping powerhouses dripping in chrome and delivering the signature V-Twin rumble. But getting the most from that rumble and your experience behind the handlebars starts with protecting your investment with routine maintenance and pre-ride inspections.
Harley-Davidson uses the T.-C.L.O.C.S. acronym, which was established by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, for pre-ride inspections. Still, we add to that with a second acronym that outlines the basics of routine maintenance for your Harley-Davidson–B.O.B.C.A.T. So, what do these acronyms stand for, and how can you implement them in your riding routine? It's time to find out.
t.-c.l.o.c.s. And Your Pre-ride Maintenance Routine
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation is dedicated to enhancing rider safety, from offering comprehensive riding courses for all skill levels to providing insights that help you get the most from every ride. Pre-ride maintenance is among those insights, with the Motorcycle Safety Foundation simplifying your pre-ride routine with an easy-to-remember acronym–T.-C.L.O.C.S.–that outlines the key components you must check before climbing in the saddle. We like to think of T.-C.L.O.C.S. as the first key component in your bike's routine maintenance needs because it makes you more aware of its condition and critical elements daily.
T.-C.L.O.C.S. stands for Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis, and Side Stand, culminating in a front-to-rear walkaround of your bike before any outing. The tires are first on the list, from ensuring they're adequately inflated to evaluating the tread depth and looking for signs of damage or wear. At the same time, you're also looking at the wheels, spokes, and brakes to confirm that everything is functioning as it should.
Moving from the tires, you'll check the controls, lights, electrical components, and fluid levels. The throttle, levers, and pedals should move freely, and the headlight, taillight, and turn signals should respond as expected. Likewise, the oil and fluid levels should be adequate and show no signs of a possible leak or problem. From there, the last steps in your pre-ride inspection require assessing the chassis, suspension, and side stand. If riding two-up, you'll adjust the suspension to accommodate the additional load. It's also critical to ensure adequate tension on the side stand since this is the only thing keeping your bike upright when parked.
b.o.b.c.a.t. And Your Harley-Davidson Maintenance Needs
Whether purchased new or used, every motorcycle is an investment because it’s your ticket to freedom on the open road. That investment means even more when it’s a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, making routine maintenance a top priority for riders who want to get the most out of their road warrior every mile ahead. Fortunately, we want the same thing and encourage our customers to remember B.O.B.C.A.T. when overseeing their motorcycle’s maintenance needs.
Batteries
One of the most essential aspects of maintaining your Harley-Davidson motorcycle is ensuring its battery is in excellent condition. Harley-Davidson builds high-performance batteries, but reaping the benefits of the battery starts by setting it up for success. For example, keeping your battery on a tender between rides or when stored is essential, with tenders operating conservatively and eliminating the risk of overcharging the battery. Likewise, as you plug the battery into the tender, it allows you to inspect the terminals and battery for damage, leaks, or corrosion and remove any dirt, moisture, or debris.
Oil
Routine oil changes are essential to prolonging the life of your car, truck, or SUV, and your motorcycle is the same. Your Harley-Davidson motorcycle, whether a cruiser, sport bike, or Grand American Touring powerhouse, relies on high-quality oil to lubricate, clean, and cool the engine and its many moving components. As the oil does its many jobs, it eventually becomes sludge and loses effectiveness. Moreover, riding in harsh conditions, like dusty environments or frigid climates, can decrease the oil’s longevity, leading to more frequent oil changes.
Brakes
We often think about how fast we can travel on our bikes, but our stopping power is just as critical. Because of this, brake maintenance is essential to your motorcycle’s performance and your safety in the saddle. This maintenance starts with regularly inspecting the brake pads and assessing the brake system, removing dirt, debris, and buildup as necessary. Depending on your riding style and the conditions, you may have to change the brake pads more frequently, with Harley-Davidson brake pads recommended to ensure you get the most stopping power and control during every ride.
Cleaning
Your Harley-Davidson won’t always be spotless because, as many riders realize, the best adventures end with bugs on the windshield, dirt on the tires, and plenty of stories to share. Even so, cleaning or wiping down your bike after these outings is an essential part of your maintenance routine. Quickly wiping down your bike after each ride can minimize the buildup of dirt and debris and keep your bike looking pristine. However, you’ll want to spend some extra time periodically detailing your bike, thoroughly cleaning it, and removing the bugs, dirt buildup, and other debris. Doing this restores your Harley-Davidson to its factory-like condition, making it shine like new and highlighting the eye-catching details that caught your attention the first time you saw it.
Air Filter
Just as your Harley-Davidson motorcycle relies on high-quality oil to keep its engine running, it also needs a premium air filter to block dirt and other debris. The best interval for replacing your bike’s air filter depends on the riding conditions, with Harley-Davidson offering a general guideline in your owner’s manual. However, if you spend most of your time riding in dusty conditions, you’ll need to replace your air filter more frequently to ensure your engine has everything it needs to run its best and most efficiently.
Tires
The tires on your Harley-Davidson motorcycle are essential to your safety in the saddle, making routine maintenance critical. Along with your pre-ride inspection, tire maintenance includes routinely checking the air pressure and evaluating the tread depth. Motorcycle tires are prone to faster wear and tear because the tread patch, or where the tire grips the road, is much smaller. Moreover, if you ride aggressively or on rougher surfaces, the tread takes a beating and wears considerably faster than a bike ridden conservatively on smooth pavement.
Making the Most of Every Ride
As the leading motorcycle dealer in the area, we are always excited to help our customers find the perfect Harley-Davidson powerhouse for their riding needs. However, we’re also in the business of ensuring you get the most out of your investment and can safely and confidently enjoy every moment in the saddle. This means educating our customers on routine maintenance needs and pre-ride inspections designed to set you up for long-term success. From the Motorcycle Safety Foundation's T.-C.L.O.C.S. pre-ride checklist to our B.O.B.C.A.T. acronym for regular maintenance, we have you covered and make it easy to remember the basics of how you can thoroughly get the most of every ride as you bring your Harley-Davidson dreams to life.