Easy Tips to Keep Your Electric Bike Well Maintained
Easy Tips to Keep Your Electric Bike Well Maintained
A recent study carried out by a leading automobile company found that the market for electric two-wheelers in India is set to rise to 17.43 billion by the financial year ending 2024. This is a massive prediction, given how popular the e-bikes have been of late. If you are the proud owner of an e-bike, you must take good care of it. Apart from getting a good bike insurance policy for it, you should also send it for regular servicing, take care of its components and ensure too much wear and tear doesn't take place. Take a look at this article to know all about how you can take the best care of your electric bike.
● How often should you service an electric bike?
Generally speaking, you should service your e-bike as frequently as you would service a regular bike. However, you should keep an eye on the bike and if you notice any issues, take it to the service centre immediately. The technology used in electric vehicles is relatively new and you may not be aware of everything. Rather than experimenting with the repairs yourself, look to get it professionally checked. This apart, take regular care of it. Wash it every day to ensure there is no build-up of dust and grime. Also, start it and use it daily to keep the battery and other parts healthy in a general manner.
● Component wear and tear:
Every vehicle goes through the usual courses of wear and tear. The degree of wear and tear largely depends on the extent of usage. There are some components such as the oils, the consumables and the tyres that suffer a higher extent of wear and tear. A lot of the accidents happen due to the parts wearing off and this leads to bike insurance claims too. You can avoid such incidents by getting your e-bike checked for wear and tear regularly. If you find a certain component is worn out, get it repaired or replaced and ride your bike with confidence.
● How to wash an electric bike:
Washing your bike is important not just to keep it clean, but also to increase its life. Yes, that is correct. A bike that is dirty often malfunctions. If dust, dirt, grease or grime settles on the important parts such as the chain, engine, brakes, etc, it can lead to disaster. Clean your bike every day. Here are some easy ways in which you can do so:
1. Let the bike cool down. Splashing cold water on a hot vehicle is never a good idea. There can be several issues such as the paint peeling off, the engine developing cracks and can also lead to the dust becoming hard mud.
2. Keep the cleaning material handy. Have a bucket of clean water, or attach a pipe to a tap so that you have a supply of running water. Also, get some sponges, wet and dry cloths, toothbrushes, a can of WD 40 and some light car washing liquid.
3. Clean the chain thoroughly. Spray water directly into the chain to keep it clean, so that it doesn't get stuck when the vehicle is moving.
4. Then, rinse the entire bike with cold water. When wet, apply the cleaning liquid and get a good layer of froth. Wash it off with water and rub dry with a clean cloth.
5. Use WD 40 in the craters and corners where there may be a buildup of oil and grease.
6. And finally, apply a coat of wax for extra protection and also to give your electric bike a sparkling, attractive look.
● Waterproofing and repairs:
While the key parts of your e-bike such as the engine and the motors are well-sealed in waterproof chambers, it is not impossible for water to seep in. So, you need to be extra careful and ensure no water gets in. park your bike in a dry place where water won't get into your bike. This needs to be taken care of, especially during the rainy season. Also, avoid riding the bike over lakes or other water bodies. Your e-bike may suffer irreplaceable damage if water gets in you may have to make a large bike insurance claim to get it repaired.
● Battery charging and storage:
It is very important to take good care of your electric bike’s battery. The battery needs to be fully charged before you take your bike out for a ride. The battery usually takes about 12 hours for it to be fully charged. Ensure you take the bike out only when it is fully charged. When a bike is fully charged, all the parts and motors receive the power they need and that allows the bike to perform to its full potential. Also, refrain from using the bike after charging it for just 30% or 40% as that can cause damage to the bike in the long run.
If you need to store the battery for some reason, then remember to keep it stored while it is charged. Do not allow the battery to get completely discharged. The battery should have a minimum of 40% charge when you store it away.
● Software and app updates:
Most electric bike manufacturers release apps and technology updates from time to time. Ensure you have the app and have all the updates. These will help you to keep your bike in the best condition and also use it as per the latest specifications.
● Electric bike maintenance basics:
Finally, here’s a checklist of the e-bike maintenance basics:
a. Keep it clean
b. Keep the battery charged
c. Take the vehicle for regular servicing
d. Keep a tab on the wear and tear of the components
e. Keep your bike insurance plan active
f. Stay digitally updated
Conclusion
If you have a modern and attractive electric bike with you, take good care of it. As you can see from the points mentioned above, there are many ways in which you can look after the bike and most of it is quite straightforward. Take care of your bike and have a good bike insurance plan to cover it and you can use your vehicle in a smooth and hassle-free manner.
Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.
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