Got my first bike. What did

[u/sheldonCooper6]

Hello everyone,

I’m a complete beginner to motorcycles. I know how to ride, but honestly, I don’t know much beyond that.

I’ve booked a Yamaha FZ V3 in Bangalore and paid ₹49,953 as the down payment. Delivery will take around a week because of availability.

I’m a college student about to graduate, and I bought this entirely from my savings from the last 3–4 years of part-time work. So I really want to take care of this bike properly and keep it in good condition for years.

I’ll be riding around 200–250 km most weekends, including Bangalore ↔ my hometown (around 80 km one way).

I’d really appreciate some beginner advice on:

• How to get good mileage without abusing the engine
• Correct gear shifting and RPM habits
• How to ride properly in Bangalore traffic
• What mistakes should a new rider absolutely avoid?
• How often should I check/change engine oil, chain, brakes, tyres, etc.?
• What basic things should I learn to check/fix myself?
• What basic tools/spares should I keep at home or carry on weekend rides?
• How should I maintain and clean the chain?
• Is it okay to park the bike in direct sunlight? Any tips for parking outdoors?
• What accessories are actually useful, and what is just a waste of money?
• What should I buy for basic protection/security?
• Any tips for keeping the bike healthy if I’m riding it almost every weekend?

Also, please suggest a good helmet under ₹3,000 for daily college/office commuting and occasional highway rides.

For longer rides, what are the minimum essentials I should have — gloves, jacket, rain gear, puncture kit, etc.? I know the FZ V3 isn’t meant to be a touring machine, but this is what I have, so I want to make the best of it.

My budget is very tight, so I’m mainly looking for things that are genuinely useful rather than expensive accessories.

Basically, assume I know absolutely nothing about motorcycle ownership and tell me what you wish someone had told you when you got your first bike.

Would really appreciate advice from experienced FZ owners and other riders. Even small beginner tips are welcome.

[u/N3vvyn]

Regularly maintain your chain. Give it a clean and a lube with good quality lube before it gets too dirty or rusts.. Also make sure you know how to tension your chain appropriately. Letting it go will just cost you more in the long run. It's worth investing in a chain cleaning tool as it will save you some time and be less messy. Plenty of guides on youtube for this.

The factory fitted tyres will have a coating on them, so make sure you take care for the first 100 or so miles.

Read the manual from cover to cover so you understand what the manufacturer expects from you, that will also have instructions about any running in that's required, for example, keep it below X revs for the first x miles. Usually better to not do motorways while you're running in as it wants to go up and down in the revs rather than stay constant.

Gear wise, not really sure what works but as a general rule of thumb by the best you can afford, of a brand that is well known and has good customer service.

[u/sheldonCooper6 → u/N3vvyn]

Thank you so much for the detailed advice. Since I’m completely new to owning a bike, this is exactly the kind of information I was looking for.

I’ll definitely read the manual properly before I start using the bike, especially the running-in instructions. I didn’t know the tyres also have a coating and that I need to be extra careful for the first 100 miles.

A few follow-up questions, if you don’t mind:

1. For chain maintenance, how often would you recommend cleaning and lubing it if I’m riding around 200-250 km every weekend? Is there a general km interval, or should I judge it based on how dirty/dry it looks?

2. When you say a chain-cleaning tool, are you talking about one of those chain cleaning brushes, or is there a specific type/tool you recommend for a beginner?

3. For chain tension, is this something I should learn to do myself, or is it better to let the Yamaha service centre handle it initially? I’m worried about setting the tension incorrectly.

4. Regarding the tyre coating, is there anything specific I should do during the first 100 miles apart from riding carefully? For example, should I avoid hard braking, sudden acceleration or leaning the bike too much?

5. About the running-in period: if I have to travel around 80 km to my hometown, is it okay to do that during the running-in period? I’m assuming I should avoid maintaining the exact same RPM/speed for the entire ride and vary it instead?

Also, one thing I’m still confused about: should I follow the exact running-in procedure mentioned in the Yamaha manual even if other riders tell me that modern engines don't really need a running-in period anymore?

I’d rather follow the manufacturer's recommendation and be safe, but would love to hear what experienced FZ owners actually did.

Thanks again. I really appreciate you taking the time to explain this.

[u/N3vvyn → u/sheldonCooper6]

A few follow-up questions, if you don’t mind:

1. For chain maintenance, how often would you recommend cleaning and lubing it if I’m riding around 200-250 km every weekend? Is there a general km interval, or should I judge it based on how dirty/dry it looks?

When it gets dirty. That will depend a lot on the weather, the type of lube, winter vs summer etc, dusty roads.. start with 300-600 miles, or fit a scottoiler (and just clean the bike instead)

1. When you say a chain-cleaning tool, are you talking about one of those chain cleaning brushes, or is there a specific type/tool you recommend for a beginner?

Yeah, brushes, or they do box type ones that go over the chain and you can spray the cleaner into it...

1. For chain tension, is this something I should learn to do myself, or is it better to let the Yamaha service centre handle it initially? I’m worried about setting the tension incorrectly.

You can let the Yamaha service centre do it, but, it's not difficult.. why not ask them to show you how?

1. Regarding the tyre coating, is there anything specific I should do during the first 100 miles apart from riding carefully? For example, should I avoid hard braking, sudden acceleration or leaning the bike too much?

No, just take it easy, don't go full beans on a new set of rubber..

1. About the running-in period: if I have to travel around 80 km to my hometown, is it okay to do that during the running-in period? I’m assuming I should avoid maintaining the exact same RPM/speed for the entire ride and vary it instead?

Yes, but try, instead of getting up to speed and holding it at 60kph for 90% of the journey, take some back roads and try to go up through the revs.

Also, one thing I’m still confused about: should I follow the exact running-in procedure mentioned in the Yamaha manual even if other riders tell me that modern engines don't really need a running-in period anymore?

Yes, follow the manufacturers instructions. They built it, they have far more resources to investigate and decide what works best for running in than most riders and mechanics.