Peaking Performance Regardless of the Ride

April 14, 2005 -- It's 9 a.m. Saturday morning and there's not a cloud in the sky. It's a brisk 60-degrees outside with a gentle wind carrying the scent of fresh spring flowers; weather ripe for burning hydrocarbons. Yes, riding season has arrived. But hold up there easy rider-do you know what kind of shape your ride is in Preventative maintenance isn't just a catch phrase. It is a method by which you can get the most out of each ride and do so safely. Whether you're one of the lucky ones with a 12-month riding season or just getting around to pulling your favorite toy out of storage, several items need to be addressed before hitting the open road. Royal Purple has made it easy for you to twist hard and confident by outlining a few of these items below.

Upgrade Your Lubricants-Upgrading lubricants is the easiest way to increase your bike's performance and longevity while instilling piece of mind as you prepare for that long ride or day cruise with the club. After gaining a reputation for developing top-of-the-line high-performance synthetic automotive lubricants, Royal Purple has produced a line of high-performance motorcycle oils, which are not simply repackaged automotive oils. Royal Purple's engineers have specifically formulated the all-new Max-Cycle motorcycle oils to exceed the demands of highly-stressed motorcycle engines and transmissions.

Braking News - The most commonly overlooked area on a motorcycle is the braking system. Pads and rotors must be checked frequently for excessive wear. Many bikes have hydraulic front brakes; check the lines for tears, leaks, and/or kinks to ensure smooth, proper operation. As well, regularly inspect the fluid. If it appears dark replace it immediately with a brake fluid of the proper DOT rating as indicated on the master cylinder cap. If you have cable operated brakes, frequently check for proper adjustment and inspect the cables for corrosion applying lubrication as needed.

Change Your Filter- It's imperative that you keep air filters clean by regularly replacing them. To further enhance performance, upgrade to a performance air filter, which can free up an additional 2-3 horsepower. While not a tremendous power gain, the relatively low cost of a filter and ease of installation (about 5 minutes) more than make up for it.

Check Your Tires - Nothing can stop your ride in its tracks faster than a bad tire. Inspect your tires closely before each ride for cracks (dry rot), uneven wear, center flat spots, and foreign objects you may have picked up during your last ride. If you find any of the aforementioned, it's time to replace the tire as soon as possible. Also, be sure to check your tire pressure each time you fill up to ensure maximum performance and life out of your tires. Two thin contact patches separate you from the road; therefore, it is vital to verify that each is in top condition before each ride.

Be Cool - Keeping motorcycle engines cool can be a real challenge. Royal Purple offers an easy way to drop engine operating temperatures considerably-just by changing your oil. In independent testing, switching to Royal Purple's brand-new Max-Cycle high-performance synthetic motorcycle oil reduced engine temperatures by as much as 44 degrees F over other synthetic motorcycle oils. Also, for the liquid-cooled riders, Purple Ice super coolant additive can help lower coolant temperatures as much as 10%. Your bike will thank you especially in the rapidly approaching summer months.

Keep your warranty in tack- Max-Cycle exceeds API/JASO new warranty requirements, and it's compatible with other mineral and synthetic motor oils. No flushing is necessary prior to use. It is recommended for use in both air-cooled and liquid-cooled 4-cycle engines and is compatible with wet-clutch transmissions.

Lash Out - Several bikes have a solid lift or shim-under-bucket valvetrains, which require regular adjustment. Be sure to check your owner's manual for valve adjustment intervals and get it to the dealer if you don't have the tools and knowledge to perform this task. Proper valve lash makes for a happy engine and will keep it running at peak performance.

Get Amped Up - Be sure to check the battery before taking off on that long ride, especially if the bike has been stored over the winter. Inspect the battery terminals and cables closely for corrosion and it's never a bad idea to have the battery tested at the local bike shop to ensure the battery and charging system are functioning correctly.

Don't Forget Your Lube -Lubrication is the lifeblood of any bike. Royal Purple makes the lubricant you need with the performance you demand.

- Max-Chain is a motorcycle chain lubricant that can't be beat. Well suited to preserving parts during periods of extended storage. Max-Chain provides maximum chain life with a non-tacky, dry-film formulation that is long-lasting and doesn't attract dirt.

- For a multipurpose lubricant, Maxfilm clings to metal surfaces and displaces moisture for long-lasting protection against friction, wear, and corrosion. It's also great to loosen stuck bolts, nuts and lubricating brake/ clutch cables. And, it's environmentally friendly.

- Building a new power plant or hopping-up your current mill Don't forget Max-Tuff, an ultra-tough, synthetic assembly lubricant. Max-Tuff provides excellent protection to both ferrous and nonferrous metals against wear on initial start-up.

About Royal Purple

Royal Purple produces a full line of synthetic motorcycle lubricants and a full line of synthetic car and truck lubricants. For more information on Royal Purple or its products, contact Royal Purple Ltd., One Royal Purple Lane, Porter, TX 77365, 281-354-8600, www.royalpurple.com. We speak motorcycle here.

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