If you happen to own one of the more than 913,000 motorcycles currently registered in Australia, then you know the thrill of browsing through motorcycle catalogues online and wondering how some brand new part or accessory would look or feel on your bike.
From adding a glint of bling to your daily driver with a new glass fuel filter, to swapping flexible indicators onto your enduro so you can stop worrying about ripping them off every month, it only takes a couple of new parts to show how much pride you have in your bike. In the endless pursuit of the perfect motorcycle parts though, it’s important not to overlook the most critical ones of all: the ones that have to perform their best for a rider to stay safe.
I’m not talking about hand guards or crash bars, though. We’re talking about 3 of the most fundamental parts of a bike that require regular maintenance to do their job properly. Because beyond the occasional fluid check and tire pressure check, a well-maintained bike won’t just save you a bundle on larger mechanical issues, it can save you some serious hurt as well.
Motorcycle Safety Checks

Let’s be honest: as much as we love the idea of hopping on our bikes at any time and just riding, they have main components that need regular maintenance. Fortunately, when it comes to safety checks, you don’t have to be a MotoGP mechanic to verify that you’re hitting the road with top-condition motorbike parts, or to recognize when a part needs replacing. After all, the last thing any biker wants is a critical part failure that’s going to leave them stranded on the side of the road, or primed for a serious accident.
The reality is, knowing how to quickly identify a major part that’s barely on the threshold of safe usage is an important part of riding. Some diagnostic instincts take time to develop, but there are a handful of components that every rider, from the levelheaded beginner to the certifiable knee dragger, has to be capable of checking before they ride. And if you’re a rider, then after you’ve checked them, you should feel confident that some of the highest quality replacement components and motorcycle parts Australia has to offer will only be a few mouse clicks away.
Check Your Brake Parts

Quite simply, brakes are the most important component of any motorcycle. They’re not optional, their performance isn’t negotiable, and they have to work flawlessly every time. You always want to keep an eye on how much wear both your front and rear brake rotors and pads are experiencing. The visible signs of rotor warpage due to overheating, or damage due to excess pad wear are going to be straightforward, and the on-road symptoms will be:
- Pulsing vibration when braking;
- Excessive noise when braking; and,
- Progressively longer stopping distances.
These aren’t indicators you want to ignore. They can be downright intimidating if you experience them at high speed, so you don’t want to skimp on replacement brake parts for motorcycles. A good online parts source is going to sell rotors for every make of bike along with the appropriate pad kit; and if your brakes need replacing, you’ll immediately notice the difference after you’ve had them changed.
Motorcycle Drive Chains

Your drive chain has the distinction of being a double-duty motorcycle part, and its importance is almost on par with your brakes. Not only is the drive chain responsible for transferring the engine’s power to the wheel, but it also acts as a damper for both the engine and gearbox during hard acceleration or engine braking.
A chain that’s too tight, isn’t lubricated regularly, or is filled up with residue is going to cause problems, so the most important thing is to keep it properly adjusted, oiled, and clean. A clean, well-lubricated chain let’s you stay alert to visual problems like worn plates or sprocket teeth; and a few rolling signs that your chain is on the verge of needing replacement are:
- Jerky acceleration and engine braking due to slackness;
- Harsh noise and vibration; and,
- Falling off or dislocation.
Replacing a bad drive chain isn’t something you can put off, because having one fall off, snap, or lockup while you’re rolling can have catastrophic consequences. They’re also one of the motorcycle parts you can reliably buy online for any make of bike; and when you have it replaced, it’s always a good idea to have the front and rear sprockets replaced too.
Reliable Batteries
Batteries are among the parts motorcycle riders are most likely to overlook. And because they’re typically nestled away under the fuel tank or behind layers of fairings, they’re inclined to remain overlooked until the day you press the starter button, and the only sound you hear is a lonely “click.”
A flat battery isn’t as ominous as a brake or chain issue, but it’s not something you want to experience on the side of the road in the middle of the night either. That’s why taking the time to give your battery a good visual check can save you a world of inconvenience later down the road. Look for clear signs of trouble like:
- A cracked battery case
- Corroded or broken terminals; and,
- Electrolyte leakage.
Batteries are one of the most commonly found replacement motorcycle parts online, and you don’t need a mechanic to replace one. Top quality selections of maintenance-free, glass-mat type batteries can be delivered anywhere in the country, and addressing the problem early can let you put all your battery worries away for years to come.
The Final Word
At the end of the day, from megaphone exhausts, to mega loud horns, motorcycle owners relish any opportunity to get their hands on the parts that’ll give their bikes an added bit of charisma. The most essential parts, however, usually aren’t that charismatic, but without them, we might as well be standing still.
Your bike’s brakes, drive chain, and battery are among those essential motorbike parts that need to be in top working order at all times. They’re not very eye-catching, but taking the time to check them and order online replacements when necessary is what’ll ensure you can keep riding your bike safely for a long time to come.