Motorcycle maintenance: what and when
Your motorcycle needs a service according to your manufacturer's schedule, in kilometres and in time: whichever comes first. If you ride little, a service once a year is usually wise. In this guide you read what a minor and a major service include and which signs you should not ignore.
By Freddy · 20 October 2026
Why does servicing your motorcycle matter?
On two wheels you notice wear quickly: a worn tyre, spongy brakes or a dry chain directly affect your safety. With regular servicing your motorcycle stays reliable, you avoid expensive repairs and it holds its value better.
What is the difference between a minor and a major service?
A minor service covers the basics: changing the engine oil and oil filter and a safety check of brakes, tyres, chain, lights and controls. A major service adds the parts your manufacturer's schedule only calls for after a certain number of kilometres or years, such as spark plugs, air filter, brake fluid, coolant and checking the valves.
Which service your motorcycle needs differs per make and model. It depends on the mileage and the date of the last service.
How often does your motorcycle need servicing?
The answer is in the service schedule in your owner's manual. It gives an interval in kilometres and in time, whichever comes first. If you ride few kilometres, a service once a year is usually still wise: oil, brake fluid and tyres also age when your motorcycle stands still.
Lost the manual? Send us your make, model, year and mileage and we'll find out which service is due.
What do you check yourself in between?
- Tyre pressure: check it regularly, with cold tyres.
- Tread and damage: look for cracks, bulges and embedded nails or stones.
- Chain: is it lubricated and does it have the right slack according to the manual?
- Brakes: does the lever feel firm and is there enough pad left?
- Oil level: check the level as described in the manual.
- Lights: do the headlight, tail light, brake light and indicators work?
Which signs show your motorcycle needs attention?
- A fault or warning light is on. Read warning light.
- Your motorcycle starts badly, hesitates or runs rough. Read hesitation or motorcycle won't start.
- You see oil under your motorcycle or on the forks. Read oil leak.
- The brakes squeal, grind or feel spongy. Read brakes.
- The chain rattles or keeps needing adjustment. Read chain noise.
Do it yourself or have it done?
Lubricating the chain and checking tyre pressure and oil level are fine to do yourself. Work on brakes, valves, forks or electronics needs experience and the right tools. A mistake there can compromise your safety or lead to an expensive repair. Not sure? Message us and we'll help you decide what you can do yourself and what is better left to us.
What do you do before and after winter?
If you ride little or not at all in winter, an autumn service is a good moment: your motorcycle has fresh oil when you start riding again. Not riding much in winter? Connect the battery to a trickle charger, and your motorcycle will start without problems in spring. See our winter packages. In spring, check tyre pressure, brakes and chain before your first ride.
What does motorcycle servicing cost?
At OG MotoWorks labour costs €75 per hour, incl. VAT. The total price of a service depends on your motorcycle, the schedule and the parts needed. Message us your make, model and mileage and you'll know up front where you stand.
Where can you have your motorcycle serviced in Waalwijk?
Want your motorcycle serviced? See motorcycle servicing in Waalwijk for the checklist and how we work, or read more about our motorcycle garage in Waalwijk. We work by appointment. Message us on WhatsApp to book.
Frequently asked questions about motorcycle maintenance
How many kilometres between services?
That differs per make and model and is in the service schedule in your owner's manual, in kilometres and in time: whichever comes first. If you ride little, a service once a year is usually wise. Not sure? Message us your make, model, year and mileage.
What do you do during a major service?
Everything in a minor service (oil and oil filter, checking brakes, tyres, chain, lights and controls), plus what your manufacturer's schedule calls for at that point, such as spark plugs, air filter, brake fluid, coolant and checking the valves.
What does a major service cost?
That depends on your motorcycle and the schedule: a major service is on quotation, after inspection. Labour costs €75 per hour, incl. VAT. We never do extra work without consultation.