There are many ways to keep your cable-equipped powersports vehicles running like new. Among the most important is to properly lubricate them. This simple process can make a big difference in how long they last, and it's easy to do at home without having to lug around expensive lube tools.

First, you need to identify your cables'type. There are two main types, which vary in thickness: those with steel wires inside a rubber sheath and those that are lined with Teflon.
Regardless of the cable type you have, you should check them for broken wire strands and fraying at least once a year or 100 hours of operation. The best way to check for this is to pass a rag over each of the strands. If the rag snags on a strand, then you know there's an issue.

The next step is to lubricate the cable. This is especially important for cables that are attached to a throttle drum or lever at the handlebar end, as these can become damaged and weakened over time if theyre not lubricated.
Use a lubricant that is specifically designed for lubricating control cables. Greases are formulated with a base oil and a thickener system to form a film on the internal surfaces of the cable sheath that slowly releases lubricant over the course of cycling, keeping the sheath from leaking oil.
The right lubricant will also improve the cable's efficiency, which is how quickly and smoothly it moves under a wide range of operating conditions.