You’ve got an office job, you’re a social media influencer who’s always on the phone making brilliant videos so why would you want to get your hands all dirty and work on your motorcycle?

(1) Something new to learn

Knowledge is surely power and the more you have the more people trust you and the more you trust yourself to get it right. People study to exercise their brains and not stagnate. It’s the same thing with DIY mechanics and afficanados, they do it to keep this exercise going. There are simpler tasks and the complex ones such as the working of an engine. For that there are many service manuals published for you to get through. In the end DIY is more practical than just studying from a book.

(2) Simply put its nuts and bolts

Most people get scared of working on their motorcycles, but it is just nuts and bolts. What comes out will go the same way back. If you don’t lose parts, nuts or bolts you are sure to get it fixed. Having a tray helps when you remove parts so you know once you have put it together if anything is still left there’s something you have missed out on.

The first few tasks might feel like you are not doing it right but hang in there and once you start putting it back a few times you’ll overcome that fear. If you feel you can’t do it, screw it back in and then refer to manuals or in today’s age whatsapp motorcycle groups or forums.

(3) There’s nothing to be scared of

If you follow a few basic rules, get the right manual, get a little out of your comfort zone to learn, the motorcycle won’t hurt you and you won’t hurt the motorcycle. There is an abundance of information on the tasks that you can do on the web so if you’re stuck somewhere you can always google it out.

(4) You can save money

Motorcycle dealerships run on service charges, simple tasks that can be done at home are charged by the hour as labour rates that overtime can add up to thousands if you’re dropping by often. You really don’t need a professional to do most of the jobs. A simple handlebar swap can be done by having the right tools. So invest in a good toolkit that covers all the nuts and bolts on your bike. We are not even getting into garages that overcharge or for that matter try to bring out more work from your bike that doesn’t need to be done in the first place.

(5) It’s a happy feeling when you get it fixed

Working on your bike means you can carry that satisfaction around with you. Do something at home like putting a shelf and only people who come home will notice and appreciate it. You can feel like a pro when you wrench and ride.

(6) Boosts your confidence

The more you wrench on your bike and fix things the more you gain knowledge and confidence. This can be really helpful especially when you’re on the road doing a multi day ride and when things go wrong, you’d be the one who ‘knows it all’

It also helps when you take your bike to a garage and the mechanic is trying to take you for a ride. You have the knowledge and know what’s beneath that radiator. Garages will be hesitant to tell you tasks that in the first place need not be done.

(7) It’s easy to start

So how do I get started? There are service manuals that are detailed to a point that every nut and bolt is split apart in a diagram. So you know where it goes and the amount of torque it requires so you don’t in real words screw it up.

(8) Tools are fun to have

We all love tools, they are for life and they shine and they can be used for multiple tasks. All you need to do is to get a good quality toolkit that will help you with expanding the task that can be carried out. In a matter of time you will be a master of your motorcycle.

(9) People love you more

Knowing your motorcycle means you are the master of it. It’s going to be you who people are going to come to for issues that they have before they use their credit card at a garage. Most people don’t know what’s beneath that seat and you are the one who knows what’s around all that combustion and knows how to get it fixed too.

(10) You’ll start having a emotional bond with your motorcycle

It’s not just the time you spend riding your bike but the time you spend fixing and maintaining it that will make you feel like you are really owning that machine. You’ll get to know all the quirks of your bike and can start identifying where and what is making that rattle or noise. Having the confidence of working and knowing your bike well means you are safe on the road.

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