BRAP · For riders
BRAP Pitstop
Motorcycle news, garage tips, interesting facts and in-depth articles for riders.
Fresh from Pitstop
Engine stalls at idle: where to start looking
A bike that pulls fine on the move but dies at the traffic light rarely has a sudden big failure: the cause is usually simple and cheap. In November, when a cold engine is at its fussiest, it shows up most.
Tube vs tubeless tyres: how the repair differs
A puncture is fixed differently depending on the tyre type. The wrong method wrecks a tube quickly, or leaves a tubeless tyre with an unreliable plug.
Liquid vs air cooling: what to check on each
The cooling type decides what you inspect in the garage. November is a good moment to check the system after summer loads, before cold weather brings surprises.
Signs of a worn chain and sprockets
Chain and sprockets wear together, and running a tired set costs more than replacing it on time. November is a good moment to check: the bike sits more often, so you have an hour to do it without rushing.
Chain care: when to clean and when to lube
A dry, dirty chain wears out the chain and sprockets together, and a new set is expensive. November mud, water and road salt strip lubricant off especially fast.
Pre-ride check: two minutes that can save your day
Most small faults show up in the garage, not on the road. In November, with slick asphalt, wet leaves and cold mornings, a quick walk-around matters even more.
Spoked wheels: care and tightening the spokes
Spokes carry constant load and slowly loosen over time. A slack spoke overloads its neighbours and the rim starts to wobble. November is a good moment to inspect the wheels after the season and wash them without rushing.
Starter clicks but won't turn: what to check
A click with no cranking almost always means not enough current is reaching the starter. In November's cold the battery is the first thing to fail, so start there.
Motorcycle oil: mineral, semi-synthetic or fully synthetic
Oil type affects engine protection, clutch feel and how often you change it. Pricier isn't always better: what counts is what your bike's manufacturer specifies.
Wash Before Winter Storage: Never Park the Bike Dirty
Dirt, road salt and dead bugs eat into paint, chrome and aluminium over the winter, and corrosion under a layer of grime goes unnoticed. A washed, fully dried bike looks in spring like the one you put away.
LED turn signals blinking fast: what the flasher relay does
After swapping bulbs for LEDs, turn signals often start flashing twice as fast. It is not a fault: a stock relay senses current, and LEDs draw far less of it.
Octane rating: when pricier fuel gives you nothing
Higher octane does not add power by itself; it only makes fuel more resistant to knock. Paying extra makes sense only when the engine is built for it.
Motorcycle ABS: how it works and what to check in the garage
ABS stops the wheel from locking under hard braking, so the bike stays stable and steerable. November wet leaves and cold tarmac are exactly where it earns its keep.
Tyre wear: indicators and uneven wear
The tyre is your only contact with the road, and in November, with cold, wet asphalt, a bald tread is expensive. Uneven wear also points to problems with pressure or suspension.
Winterizing your motorcycle: a full checklist
November is when the bike goes into storage. An hour in the garage now saves you a weekend and repair money in spring.
Tyres in storage: stands, pressure and flat spots
A bike left on its wheels for months gets flat spots on the tyres, and the rubber dries out and loses pressure. November is the time to deal with it while the bike sits in the garage until spring.
Brake pads: signs it's time to replace them
Pads are a consumable, and how well the bike stops depends on their condition. In autumn, damp, dirt and road salt wear them faster, so now is a good time to check.
Shock absorber wear: signs you can spot in the garage
Shock wear creeps in slowly, and you get used to vague handling. Yet grip and braking distance depend on it. November is a good time to check: the bike is parked and you have time.
Noise and vibration: finding what has come loose
A new rattle or buzz in the bars is almost always something small that has worked loose. Catch it early and you tighten a bolt instead of replacing a cracked bracket or fairing.
Two-stroke vs four-stroke: how upkeep differs
Two-stroke and four-stroke engines need different attention, and the rules for one don't fit the other. Mixing them up with oil or fuel mix gets expensive.