You love riding your motorcycle. It’s so much more than a “point A to point B” vehicle — it’s your passion, and what you most look forward to doing in your free time.
No matter how long you’ve been riding, you may or may not know a lot about your bike. You might do all of your repairs yourself or take it to a mechanic when anything needs to be fixed. Either way is fine. But whether you’re an expert or not, it’s important to know the basic parts of a motorcycle so you know if anything major is wrong.
It’s good knowledge to have, especially if you go on long road trips. Having a basic knowledge for parts can also come in handy if your bike breaks down and you’re stranded. You may say “Hey, I need someone to do my term paper on motorcycle mechanics!”, but we’ll reply there is no need to go this deep. So here are the basic parts of a motorcycle.
Brakes
It’s useful to know how your brakes work. Not only because they’re essential for stopping, but because knowing how to replace them yourself can save you a lot of money. Not to mention, it’s useful information to know in a pinch.
Motorcycle brakes come in two different types — drum and disc brakes — with one set of brakes being on the front wheel and another set on the rear wheel.
Chain
The chain connects the transmission to the rear wheel. And it makes the rear wheel turn, which powers the motorcycle.
Engine
The engine powers the vehicle, and in this case, a motorcycle. Knowing what type of oil your engine takes is essential, especially if you have a leak or are running low while riding.
Frame
The frame, typically made from aluminum or steel, is the core structure of the bike, since it supports the engine and key components/parts.
Suspension
The suspension serves a few purposes: handling and braking, first and foremost, but also protecting the rider from bumps, road noise, and vibrations. If a motorcycle doesn’t have good suspension, then it will be a bumpy and unpleasant ride, to say the least.
Tires
Tires are the inflatable rubber tubes that are attached to the wheels. These are what people refer to when their bike is flat and what needs replaced when a driver has a flat tire or the tread of the tires are worn down.
Transmission
The transmission delivers power to the motorcycle. Taking it a step further, the transmission delivers power from the engine to the rear wheel.
Wheels
Wheels are what the tires attach onto. They receive power from the engine and actually put the bike in motion.
Others
There are, of course, other parts on a motorcycle, such as the handlebars and lights, but the parts above tend to be classified as basic and universal. There are more complicated parts as well.
It’s important to know the basic parts above so you can purchase what you need, whether it’s Polaris OEM parts or something more general. Routine maintenance and proper fixes can keep your bike running smoothly and efficiently, and allow you to get the most life out of your motorcycle.
It’s never a good idea to ride your bike if something is broken or damaged as this can lead to the damage worsening and not only affects the ride, but can further damage other parts of the bike. Routine maintenance and necessary fixes cost money initially, but they will save you money in the long run.
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