How to Clean and Maintain Your Motorcycle Chain
A clean, lubricated chain gives smoother acceleration and longer sprocket life. Here is how to look after it.
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The purpose of a motorcycle air filter is to protect the engine from dirt while keeping air flowing into the combustion chamber. Clean, sufficient air means complete combustion, better acceleration, and more efficient fuel consumption.
Types of air filter
- Dry paper – common on older motorcycles. It can be cleaned by blowing compressed air from the inside out.
- Wet paper (viscous) – widely used on modern fuel-injected bikes. It carries an oil coating that traps dust, so it must not be washed or blown with air; simply replace it when due.
- Foam – can be washed, dried, and then lightly coated with dedicated filter oil.
Signs of a dirty air filter
- Acceleration feels heavy and the engine is less responsive.
- Fuel consumption is higher than usual.
- Exhaust smoke is thicker and the spark plug blackens quickly.
- Idle speed is unstable.
When to replace it
The replacement interval differs for each motorcycle, generally around 12,000–16,000 km. If you often ride on dusty roads, inspect and replace it sooner. The exact figure is in your service booklet.
Never remove the air filter. An engine without a filter may feel more “free”, but the dust that gets in will score the cylinder wall and piston rings. The repair costs far more than a filter.
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