Motorcycle Brake Maintainance Guide

Most riders spend time cleaning their motorcycle, checking tyre pressure or replacing the engine oil on time. However, there is one aspect of motorcycle brake maintenance that is typically overlooked – the brakes themselves.

Riders rely on the brakes so much, but they usually don't think about them until something starts to feel amiss.

Brakes that have a soft brake lever, unusual noises or longer stopping distances can all mean that your brakes need attention.

Fortunately, routine brake checks will only require a small amount of time. There are a few simple inspections you can make to ensure that your motorcycle brakes are performing as they should and that you don't have to pay for expensive repairs later on.

Let's take a look at some of the things that every rider should know.

Understanding the Importance of Motorcycle Brake Maintenance

Your brakes are one of the most important safety features of your motorcycle.

Your brakes are used when you slow down on the street, when you brake on a highway or when you brake on a mountain road.

If regular maintenance is not performed, there can be the following consequences:

• Reduced braking performance
• More rapid wear of brake components
• Brake disc damage
• Costly repairs
• Reduced rider confidence

You can always count on your motorcycle to perform at its best when it is in good condition and the braking system is properly maintained.

Regularly Check Brake Pads for Wear and Tear

The brake pads are among the easiest items to check.

The brake pads naturally wear out with each application of the brakes. With time, they become thinner and eventually need to be replaced when they reach the manufacturer's minimum thickness.

Look for signs like:

• Thin brake pad material
• Grinding or squealing noises
• Reduced braking performance
• Longer stopping distances

These can all be signs that the brake pads need to be inspected and may need replacement.

Worn brake pads may also cause additional damage to the brake discs, and replacing them before they have worn down to the end of their useful life can help avoid this damage.

Motorcycle Brake Maintenance Guide Baycity Power Parts

Inspect Your Brake Discs

The braking system also has other critical components, the brake discs.

During routine inspections, check for:

• Deep grooves
• Visible cracks
• Blue or discoloured areas caused by heat
• Uneven or abnormal wear

Some wear on the brake discs is normal, but significant damage is not. If the wear or damage is significant, then a professional inspection may be necessary.

Brake discs need to have a suitable, clean braking surface so that the brake pads can work correctly and provide consistent braking performance.

Don't Ignore Brake Fluid

A lot of riders do remember to change engine oil, but don't bother changing brake fluid.

Over time, brake fluid absorbs moisture, which can affect braking performance.

Old or contaminated brake fluid can contribute to:

• A soft or spongy brake lever
• Reduced braking efficiency
• Corrosion inside the braking system

Regularly check the brake fluid level and change it as per your motorcycle manufacturer's service schedule.

Fresh brake fluid contributes to more consistent performance from your motorcycle brakes.

Check the Brake Lever and Pedal Feel

Your bike can frequently alert you to something that is not right.

Be aware of the brake lever or brake pedal's feel.

If you notice:

• Excessive travel
• Softness or sponginess
• Delayed braking response
• Unusual resistance

It is wise to have a thorough brake inspection carried out.

The symptoms are not necessarily indicative of any large-scale repair, but they should not be disregarded.

Listen for Unusual Sounds

Your brakes should feel smooth as you are braking.

If you hear:

• Squeaking
• Grinding
• Metallic scraping
• Clicking noises

It's time to inspect the braking system.

Dirt can produce temporary noise at times.

If a sound continues, however, it can mean that the brake pads may be worn, the brake discs may be damaged or something may not be properly installed.

If the cause is found early, then larger repairs may not be necessary.

Keep Brake Components Clean

The components of the braking system tend to collect dust, mud, road dirt and brake dust naturally.

Keeping brake parts and surrounding areas clean helps with regular inspection and maintenance.

As you're cleaning your motorcycle:

• Do not use high-pressure water to spray sensitive parts of the brakes.
• Carefully clean off excess dirt.
• Check for leaks or other damage during cleaning.
• Keep brake pads and disc surfaces free from oil, grease and other contaminants.

An easy visual brake inspection after each wash can be performed and problems identified before causing significant issues.

Replace Worn Parts on Time

Every brake component has a limited lifespan.

It's not worth taking the chance of putting off maintenance just to get a little more use out of worn parts.

Change out parts as necessary such as:

• Brake pads
• Brake fluid
• Damaged brake discs
• Hardware or retaining clips (if relevant)

When replacing parts, use quality parts that meet the manufacturer's specifications, which will help ensure consistent braking performance.

Adjust Your Riding Habits

Brake maintenance is more than just replacing brake parts.

The way you ride impacts the life of your brakes.

You can minimise additional wear by:

• Braking smoothly whenever possible
• Maintaining a safe following distance
• Using both front and rear brakes smoothly
• Anticipating traffic instead of braking at the last moment

Smoother riding will not only help to prolong the life of your motorcycle brakes, but will also enhance your riding comfort.

Follow Your Motorcycle's Service Schedule

Manufacturers provide recommended intervals for the inspection and maintenance of the braking system.

Scheduled service enables wear to be detected before it develops and causes any issues.

Here are a few of the more common motorcycle brake inspections:

• Brake pad thickness
• Brake discs
• Brake fluid
• Brake hoses
• Calipers
• Overall brake operation

These inspections will help maintain your motorcycle's condition for every ride if performed regularly.

Final Thoughts

It's important to care for your brakes as you would care for your engine or tyres.

Regular motorcycle brake maintenance can help maintain braking performance, prolong the service life of critical parts, and help you feel more confident on the road.

All these simple checks, brake pad replacement, brake inspections, and monitoring your brake discs can help make a difference over time.

Looking for quality motorcycle parts such as motorcycle brake discs, brake pads and motorcycle braking system components? Visit Baycity Powerparts and get your motorcycle ready for every ride.