Do you do anything special to your brand new bike before taking it out?

rjs3118
Profile picture for user rjs3118
Posts
86
Joined
8/19/2020
Location
WNY, NY US
rjs3118
Buying my first brand new bike this week and before I take it out into this world of mud and mess, I was wondering anyone “treats” their bike with anything special to help preserve or make clean up easier? I know with new cars and trucks some people get a rust prevention treatment when it’s brand new and some swear by it. Anyone do anything special as a preventative measure to preserve the look and condition?
1
2
|
SLAPAHO
Profile picture for user SLAPAHO
Posts
1555
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Newport Beach, CA US
Fantasy
638th
SLAPAHO 12/7/2020 2:19pm
12/7/2020 2:19pm Edited Date/Time 12/7/2020 2:22pm
Take pics before riding it for your craigslist ad 2 years from now.
39
rjs3118
Profile picture for user rjs3118
Posts
86
Joined
8/19/2020
Location
WNY, NY US
rjs3118 12/7/2020 2:21pm
12/7/2020 2:21pm
SLAPAHO wrote:
Take pics before riding it for your craigslist ad 2 years from now.
Haha... I was thinking about that.
spimx
Profile picture for user spimx
Posts
1128
Joined
3/25/2019
Location
Port Isabel, TX US
spimx 12/7/2020 2:27pm
12/7/2020 2:27pm
Hell no, it's a dirt bike. I go directly to the track from the dealer. If it goes flipping first ride then I just order parts when I get home.
7

The Shop

See All »
Coughlin639
Profile picture for user Coughlin639
Posts
142
Joined
6/19/2020
Location
Clayton, NY US
Coughlin639 12/7/2020 2:40pm
12/7/2020 2:40pm
Not a bad idea to do a nut/bolt check as well as check fluids and air filter oil. Doesn't hurst to get a rough sag measurement either, but don't get crazy with that because it'll change as the springs settle
6
DPW
Profile picture for user DPW
Posts
1978
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
TX US
DPW 12/7/2020 2:45pm
12/7/2020 2:45pm
sprocket bolts Loctite blue
2
500 Mike
Profile picture for user 500 Mike
Posts
898
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Kingwood, TX US
500 Mike 12/7/2020 2:47pm
12/7/2020 2:47pm
In addition to the above, I would take linkage, steering stem, etc. apart and make sure there is plenty of grease there. Not sure if this is an issue nowadays or not but it wouldn't hurt to check.
4
PJRAUS
Profile picture for user PJRAUS
Posts
1532
Joined
5/28/2016
Location
AU
PJRAUS 12/7/2020 2:52pm
12/7/2020 2:52pm
500 Mike wrote:
In addition to the above, I would take linkage, steering stem, etc. apart and make sure there is plenty of grease there. Not sure if this...
In addition to the above, I would take linkage, steering stem, etc. apart and make sure there is plenty of grease there. Not sure if this is an issue nowadays or not but it wouldn't hurt to check.
Its still an issue and very good advice!
3
mx216
Profile picture for user mx216
Posts
729
Joined
3/21/2009
Location
Portland, OR US
mx216 12/7/2020 2:55pm
12/7/2020 2:55pm
Absolutely take the swingarm, linkage and triple clamps off of the thing and grease them. Then when putting it all back together, follow the service manual for how to torque the chassis. You will have to loosen the engine and exhaust, and each manufacturer will have their own procedure. Usually its done with the bike sitting under its own weight with everything loose and going through the order. Other than that, I would check the sprocket and rotor bolts, and probably the cotter pins on the foot pegs. PDI departments for the most part do a terrible job installing them. Other than that keep an eye on spokes the first couple rides to make sure your wheels don't turn serpentine on you.
4
EngIceDave
Profile picture for user EngIceDave
Posts
2432
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Merritt Island, FL US
EngIceDave 12/7/2020 3:03pm
12/7/2020 3:03pm
Scratch it
Just get it over with.

Same with a new helmet, just drop it. Get it over with
2
2
numbers
Profile picture for user numbers
Posts
637
Joined
10/13/2020
Location
Puyallup, WA US
numbers 12/7/2020 3:04pm
12/7/2020 3:04pm
If I buy a brand new bike i take it apart and grease everything properly. New bikes come with minimal grease. It will save you replacing parts to early and you get to know your bike.
4
3
EngIceDave
Profile picture for user EngIceDave
Posts
2432
Joined
8/16/2006
Location
Merritt Island, FL US
EngIceDave 12/7/2020 3:07pm
12/7/2020 3:07pm
numbers wrote:
If I buy a brand new bike i take it apart and grease everything properly. New bikes come with minimal grease. It will save you replacing...
If I buy a brand new bike i take it apart and grease everything properly. New bikes come with minimal grease. It will save you replacing parts to early and you get to know your bike.
This
3
cdncombatmedic 12/7/2020 3:15pm
12/7/2020 3:15pm
Grease linkage, swing arm, axles, steering stem
Ensure all bolts are torqued
Check all fluids, air filter, tire and fork pressure.
4
Yeti831
Profile picture for user Yeti831
Posts
1323
Joined
1/30/2020
Location
UT US
Yeti831 12/7/2020 3:31pm
12/7/2020 3:31pm Edited Date/Time 12/8/2020 10:38am
Lube all bearings/axles, check torque on hardware, check all fluid levels, break in motor, shred 🤘
3
CRF505
Profile picture for user CRF505
Posts
547
Joined
11/24/2011
Location
Clarkston, MI US
CRF505 12/7/2020 3:43pm
12/7/2020 3:43pm
DPW wrote:
sprocket bolts Loctite blue
Yup. If it's orange, white or dark red this is a must.
rjs3118
Profile picture for user rjs3118
Posts
86
Joined
8/19/2020
Location
WNY, NY US
rjs3118 12/7/2020 3:45pm
12/7/2020 3:45pm
Jeez, I was just thinking about some spray that makes the dirt fall off. You guys seriously take the bike apart even after it was just put together? How much assembly does the dealer do vs the manufacturer ?
Moto520
Profile picture for user Moto520
Posts
3387
Joined
2/4/2013
Location
Schaumburg, IL US
Moto520 12/7/2020 3:55pm
12/7/2020 3:55pm
This question depends on your ocd level.
4
Falcon
Profile picture for user Falcon
Posts
10108
Joined
11/16/2011
Location
Menifee, CA US
Fantasy
798th
Falcon 12/7/2020 3:57pm
12/7/2020 3:57pm
Dealers put the front wheel on, lube the air filter (hopefully,) and check the spoke tension and tire pressure. Depending on the bike, they may be bolting the handlebars on, as well.

As for what I do, I wash it. Seriously! It gets most of the Cosmolene off, so I don't have to smell that crap burning off my engine. I make sure to get all the crap off the chain as well, so I can apply real chain lube. Test the brakes, run a spoke wrench over the spokes and listen for dead ones, then ride.
2

Pit Row

See All »
RCMXracing
Profile picture for user RCMXracing
Posts
848
Joined
8/10/2011
Location
N., TX US
RCMXracing 12/7/2020 4:10pm
12/7/2020 4:10pm
Didn’t see it mentioned, brake cleaner on the rotors, wipe those down.
Also stock air filters sometimes are lacking oil.

As others have said, pretty sad amount of grease from factory. KTM does a little better job than Japan bikes. I always get suspension done, and like to put about 4 hrs on it to break everything in then do the tear down for the lube job while suspension is getting revalved.

Spraying Maxima SC1 or something like it puts a layer that helps grime come off easier. Old days it was WD40!

Best thing you can do is get a complete plastics kit and put your stock ones away with all the pretty pretty graphics. Put stock back on when selling.
5
vansnxtweek489 12/7/2020 4:16pm
12/7/2020 4:16pm
I’ve always been told to take it apart and grease it. Kind of sucks to do but like everyone said, it’s the right thing to do!
2
davis224
Profile picture for user davis224
Posts
6250
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Cornland, IL US
Fantasy
165th
davis224 12/7/2020 4:17pm
12/7/2020 4:17pm
Bare minimum, clean the rotors and oil the air filter if the dealer just slapped it together out of the crate.
deanwhite51
Profile picture for user deanwhite51
Posts
2095
Joined
10/5/2017
Location
Sydney AU
Fantasy
2582nd
deanwhite51 12/7/2020 4:24pm
12/7/2020 4:24pm
I've always re greased all the bearings and run the motor in.
Do a quick oil change and adjust my sag.

Get to the track and set it up from there with clickers, levers and bars.

I've seen way to many people take new bikes straight to the track and head stem bearings or linkage bearings have seized up due to no grease. Not worth the risk.
captmoto
Profile picture for user captmoto
Posts
5139
Joined
4/22/2009
Location
Rancho Cucamonga, CA US
captmoto 12/7/2020 4:31pm
12/7/2020 4:31pm
RCMXracing wrote:
Didn’t see it mentioned, brake cleaner on the rotors, wipe those down. Also stock air filters sometimes are lacking oil. As others have said, pretty sad...
Didn’t see it mentioned, brake cleaner on the rotors, wipe those down.
Also stock air filters sometimes are lacking oil.

As others have said, pretty sad amount of grease from factory. KTM does a little better job than Japan bikes. I always get suspension done, and like to put about 4 hrs on it to break everything in then do the tear down for the lube job while suspension is getting revalved.

Spraying Maxima SC1 or something like it puts a layer that helps grime come off easier. Old days it was WD40!

Best thing you can do is get a complete plastics kit and put your stock ones away with all the pretty pretty graphics. Put stock back on when selling.
That's about it. I did find loose bar clamp bolts loose once. That could have been bad to hit a decent bump and fold the bars down on the clamps. I guess that's why we pay the big buck set up fees, right?
1
OG725
Profile picture for user OG725
Posts
907
Joined
4/27/2020
Location
Stanley, NM US
OG725 12/7/2020 4:40pm
12/7/2020 4:40pm Edited Date/Time 12/7/2020 4:40pm
EngIceDave wrote:
Scratch it
Just get it over with.

Same with a new helmet, just drop it. Get it over with
I was seriously about to post, "Drop it in the driveway just to get it over with".
1
1
kmoto
Profile picture for user kmoto
Posts
22
Joined
12/29/2017
Location
Broadway, NC US
kmoto 12/7/2020 4:42pm
12/7/2020 4:42pm
Check for missing bolts and retorque axles, triple clamps, bar mounts. I was missing 2/4 fender bolts, triple clamps were way over torqued and my footpeg pin was upside down...not all techs are attentive.
crt32
Profile picture for user crt32
Posts
674
Joined
4/20/2015
Location
Oklahoma City, OK US
crt32 12/7/2020 4:44pm
12/7/2020 4:44pm
I used to HAVE to put on my bend of bars, grips, graphics, chain etc. But Saturday morning I bought a brand new yz250 and raced it that night in arenacross. Didnt touch bars, clickers, or anything. Just slightly moved clutch lever up. Even was able to set fastest lap of my class. Most fun I've had in awhile. Dont stress and just rip it!
2
bvm111
Profile picture for user bvm111
Posts
9323
Joined
7/1/2008
Location
Las Vegas, NV US
bvm111 12/7/2020 4:45pm
12/7/2020 4:45pm
i sit on it and blip the throttle making brap brap sounds drooling 🤤
2
Indy mxer
Profile picture for user Indy mxer
Posts
1633
Joined
6/15/2010
Location
Linton, IN US
Indy mxer 12/7/2020 5:05pm
12/7/2020 5:05pm
spimx wrote:
Hell no, it's a dirt bike. I go directly to the track from the dealer. If it goes flipping first ride then I just order parts...
Hell no, it's a dirt bike. I go directly to the track from the dealer. If it goes flipping first ride then I just order parts when I get home.
Lmfao!! Good one.
UpTiTe
Profile picture for user UpTiTe
Posts
7758
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
CA US
Fantasy
4091st
UpTiTe 12/7/2020 5:13pm
12/7/2020 5:13pm
I haven’t bought a new bike in a while, but this is what I do to literally every bike I buy.

I take it down to the frame, minus motor and radiators, change all the fluids except coolant , including suspension. I grease everything then I Re ensemble everything using proper torque specs.

Post a reply to: Do you do anything special to your brand new bike before taking it out?