6 Warning Signs of Suspension Problem in your Bike

Posted on: Apr 19, 2022 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

6 Warning Signs of Suspension Problem in your Bike

Modern-day motorbikes are more complex in design and highly advanced in technology. Understanding the various systems in your bike can help you in better maintenance as well as in avoiding breakdowns. One such system is a suspension system which lets you ride smoothly on rough roads. It not only gives you comfort but also affects your riding. It is a very important component required to drive safely. Without a proper functioning suspension, your bike’s brakes and tires won’t function well. If you haven’t checked your bike’s suspension system in a while, get it checked. To protect your bike against any unforeseen event get bike insurance with comprehensive coverage.

Read below to find out what a suspension system does and what are the warning signs that indicate problems.

What Does A Suspension System Do?

A suspension system has two main components: a spring and a damper. The spring takes care of the mass of the bike and the damper controls the speed of the spring. The suspension system keeps your bike stable by maintaining balance while braking, absorbs bumps to make your ride comfortable, lets you accelerate with minimum squat, and keeps the tires in contact with the ground.

A typical suspension system performs the following basic functions:

● It maintains optimum vehicle height while riding.

● It reduces the effect of shock.

● It maintains wheel alignment.

● It supports the weight of the vehicle

● It reduces the pressure on the wheel by weight distribution.

● It maintains tire contact with the ground.

● It controls the vehicle’s direction.

What Are the Signs of the Suspension Problem In A Bike?

Looking after your bike’s suspension is very important but often people overlook signs that indicate a suspension issue. Let us find out what are the signs of suspension problems.

1. Unreasonable bumpiness:

The components of a suspension system wear out with usage and stop absorbing bumps making your ride bumpier and uncomfortable even on small bumps. This happens because the tires start to lose more contact with the road. It may be due to oil leakage in the shock absorber which means a failed shock absorber.

2. Thud or rattle from suspension:

If you hear a thud or rattle sound when your bike goes over a bump or rough patch it may be due to a broken, worn out, or loose suspension part that needs to be replaced to fix the issue.

3. Oil leak:

Oil leakage leads to a lack of damping in a bike. The sign of oil leakage is quite noticeable. You will notice a black greasy residue around the end of the shock shaft because oil attracts dirt. If you don’t fix it immediately, it will not take a long time to damage the shock absorber.

4. Lack of damping:

Lack of damping causes tires to bounce and with an increase in speed, you start losing control and traction. The bike feels unstable, especially during cornering. It makes the bike handling difficult and you feel less control over the wheels. The suspension is unable to return to its starting state after a bump.

5. Increased Stopping Time:

If your brakes take a longer time to stop it means you have worn shock absorbers. This can be a dangerous situation if you are not aware of the increased stopping time to come to a safe top. This may cause accidents due to collisions during bad weather. If you notice this problem act immediately and get the suspension system checked. For protection against any accident get comprehensive bike insurance.

6. Uneven Tire Wear:

When you ride a bike with worn shock absorbers it affects the proper contact of tires with the ground causing the tires to wear unevenly. Even a slight bounce can cause an unbalanced contact with the road. If you check your tire tread, you will notice the effects of the worn shock absorber.

How to Maintain Your Motorbike Suspension System:

The suspension system is often the most neglected part of a motorbike. A properly set up suspension is important to ensure safety and optimum bike performance. Regular maintenance can help you spot problems that can cause a faulty suspension.

● Setting Up the Suspension -

Suspension settings need to be adjusted according to the rider’s needs and weight. This is a common mistake most riders do, they do not set up the suspension to match their needs and carry on with the factory settings. Always fine-tune the suspension to suit you when you get a new bike. This includes spring rate, high and low-speed adjustment, oil viscosity, etc.

● Maintenance -

It is crucial to have a defined schedule to maintain the suspension system regularly because you will not find out that it is deteriorating until it completely stops working. Some of the common factors that cause a suspension system to deteriorate are heat, oil contamination and degradation with usage, damaged or loose rubber seals, and damaged bushes.

● Keep the suspension clean -

Dirt can damage the seals and sliding tubes. To increase the life of the suspension keep it clean and regularly inspect it before you clean it.

● Watch for any damage in seals, inner tubes, and shock springs -

Seals, inner tubes, and shock springs are very important components of the suspension system. Regularly check these parts for any damage as it may seriously affect the movement of the suspension. In case of damage get a replacement done immediately.

● Check the oil -

The suspension system has oil for lubrication. If the seals are damaged there may be an oil leakage which may affect damping. With regular usage, oil gets contaminated with metal shavings due to compression and rebounds. These shavings can cause the springs to get stuck. Oil viscosity also needs to be checked as it affects the damping performance.

Conclusion

It is recommended by the experts that you should get your suspension system serviced at least once a year and regularly inspect it to keep a watch on any wear and tear for better ride quality and safety. Always keep in mind the above-mentioned warning signs and maintenance tips to improve the life of the suspension system. Get comprehensive bike insurance to cover any damage or loss due to an accident or an unforeseen event.

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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