You have all kinds of high-performance bikes such as the Yamaha YZF-R1, KTM 450SXF, and the Husqvarna Svartpilen 701. These are just a few of the many motorcycles you can get a glimpse of, on the road nowadays. However, they are only going to look good and perform great whenever the owners properly maintain it every day.

One area of motorcycles you need to pay close attention to is the suspension. Some pretty good suspension manufacturers deliver quality products. But, if you are planning on buying a good one like KYB or Kayaba motorcycle suspension for your motorcycle, you should definitely take care of it as early as you can. If you have just begun your motorcycle adventure, no worries, read on to find out tips and tricks on how to care for the suspension:

Regular Cleaning

This is the most basic form of maintaining any part of your motorcycle, especially with the suspensions. When you are driving on the road daily, you’ll never know what dirt or dust will get inside the suspensions. These are silent killers as it will gradually cause issues for the suspensions. Even something as simple as spraying water on the suspension is already enough to ensure it gets cleaned.

Inspect the Oil

Most of the time, your newly bought motorcycle will come with a manual that will tell you when you need to change the oil. However, when you get a new suspension, you may have to make changes to your regular oil change schedule. Usually, any type of suspension should have its oil changed at least once every year. For those who use their bikes daily, you may need to change the oil more often than usual. You should also consider the terrain you drive on. Dusty roads can potentially deteriorate the suspension oil faster. And if you plan on doing long-distance rides, always check the oil if it is full. If not, you should add more.

Inspect the Seals

The seals keep the oil inside and prevent dirt from entering the internals of the suspension. Over time, bits of rock may come flying and hit the seals, causing the oil to leak out slowly. It is critical for any type of oil leak to be dealt with as soon as possible. A good tip to check if the seal is broken is to wash it, ride the bike a few times, and check whether there’s oil coming out.

Inspect Inner Tubes

The inner sliding tube will get damaged at some point, so you need to inspect it every time you ride. These tubes are usually slick when you feel them. But when it stops feeling slick, there is a big chance it may be damaged, thus creating oil leaks. Some expert mechanics usually do not replace the entire inner tubes if they can be fixed, for instance, dents and nicks.

Inspect Shock Springs

Normally, you would think it is almost impossible to damage the shock springs because they’re entirely protected. But you must agree that there’s still a chance the springs will break, so you should inspect it. Disassembling it is difficult, so you have the option to take it to a motorcycle shop so that mechanics can inspect the springs.

If you need to replace broken parts of your suspension, you can contact any one of the several companies selling branded parts like Kayaba motorcycle suspension. If you get your parts from a reliable supplier, you can expect your suspensions to last longer than usual.

If you own a car or truck, you’ve likely heard of your oil filter. However, you may not know what it is. Understanding some of the essentials of engine maintenance and how your vehicle works can help you keep your car or truck in better shape. This is the guide for you if you’ve ever asked what do oil filters do?

Oil Filters: The Basics

Unsurprisingly, the main purpose of your oil filter is to filter out contaminants from your car or truck’s oil. Engine oil is used by your vehicle to lubricate the moving parts inside your engine including gears, cams, piston, bearings and more.

Your oil is not consumed by the engine running. Instead, the same oil is used continuously and repeatedly until you change it. Therefore, it can pick up unwanted contaminants during its journey around your engine. This is where the oil filter comes into play. The filter helps to keep your oil cleaner for longer. Without it, you would constantly be needing an oil change.

As your oil finishes a loop of the engine and is about to start again, it passes through the oil filter. The benefits of the filter include:

• Catches contaminants in the oil including dirt, soot, varnish and sludge
• Keeps your oil cleaner for longer
• Helps oil flow around the engine more freely
• Improves engine performance

Changing Your Oil Filter

Clearly, the oil filter is an essential part of your engine’s regular operations. It is important to change your oil filter every time you change your oil. If you don’t, the new clean oil will be immediately exposed to the contaminants that were removed from the old oil. Additionally, the oil filter will not be effective in removing contaminants from the new oil.

You may be wondering how long does an oil change take? Depending on whether you do it yourself or have a professional do it, the process can take 15 to 60 minutes. If you are experienced or you take it to a shop that can see your vehicle right away, it will only take about 15 minutes. Otherwise, it can take a while longer.

During your oil change process, replace the filter once you have removed the old engine oil. Keep in mind that it may contain old oil, so you should place your drain pan beneath the filter before removing it. Simple losing the filter with a wrench then clean the mounting surface, ensuring you haven’t removed the gasket with the old filter.

Lubricate the new filter then screw it into place by hand. Typically, you do not need to use a wrench to tighten the filter. However, you should consult the filter’s instructions. Once the new filter is positioned, you can continue with your oil change.

Get Started

Changing your oil and oil filter is a simple maintenance task. Anyone can learn how to do it. Head down to the best auto parts store near you and pick up a drain pan, wrench, funnel, oil and oil filter. You’ll be taking care of your own car or truck in no time.

Your helmet may be the most important piece of motorcycle gear. It can make all the difference in a crash. While everyone’s preferences are different, there are always a few helmets that stand above the rest. AGV’s Corsa helmet is one such helmet. It combines great styling with a high standard of quality into a product that is as comfortable and effective as it is eye-catching.

AGV’s Extreme Standards

For years AGV struggled to create a helmet that was just right. While many helmets were good, almost all had some issue that kept them from being great. The brand’s solution to this is its Extreme Standards project. The main element of this project is a series of head scans used to better profile helmet fitment to a wider range of head sizes and shapes.

The results of this project have been strong. The Corsa and fully carbon fiber Pista GP are both great helmets that fit and feel better than any of AGV’s previous offerings.

The Corsa

AGV’s designers have significantly changed the size of the Corsa to make it a better fit for most riders. Smaller upper and frontal sections, as well as a shrunk visor mechanism, have allowed some major improvements to the helmet:

• The impact absorption material is thicker, offering greater head protection.
• The helmet features AGV’s Super Super Light shell made from composite fiber, aramid and carbon-fiber materials. This is very lightweight but also strong.
• The padding is made from Lycra and Shalimar that is breathable and comfortable.
• A sanitizing treatment helps keep the padding clear and fresh.
• The window is nine percent larger than previous helmets. It provides superior visibility in both track and street settings.
• The helmet is very aerodynamic, especially in a slightly tucked position.
• The helmet feels stable even in high-speed situations.

The chin strap doesn’t always fit comfortably. Additionally, the visor locking mechanism and airflow vents are difficult to operate with gloves on. However, the visor can be locked in three positions: one that is completely open, one for some air flow at low speeds and one for full closure.

All in all, the Corsa offers some of the best head protection combined with an aggressive look, comfortable feel and good aerodynamics. It represents a new day for AGV. It is the motorcycle helmet many riders are dreaming of being able to find.

Choosing the Right Helmet

Every rider has his or her list of favorite helmets. These won’t be the same for everyone because different people have different heads. However, the right helmet is always one that provides effective protection while fitting securely and comfortably. No number of extra features or bargain pricing will overcome inadequate protection or a helmet that is too uncomfortable to wear.

With its Extreme Standards project and the Corsa helmet, AGV will undoubtedly be on many motorcyclists’ lists of favorites. The strong shell, effective impact absorption and comfortable shape check all the most important boxes.

The next time you are looking at motorcycle gear, ask yourself whether a new helmet is in order. Then check out the AGV Corsa for some of the best head protection on the market.