Do you feel the warm air? The days are longer, and the sunshine is gleaming across the city. The flowers are blooming, and the grass is getting greener. It’s time to take the cover off your bike and take it on the race track to go on a joyride or brush up your riding skills!
However, you want to take the time to prepare your motorcycle for the new riding season. Getting your motorcycle ready for riding season means more than dusting it off and making sure it’s shiny. You should perform a thorough inspection of your bike. By preparing ahead of time, you can avoid unnecessary and possibly dangerous issues.
So before you insert the key, here are some tips on what you should check before going on a test ride.
Inspect Your Motorcycle
When you take the cover off your motorcycle, walk around it numerous times and pay close attention. Check for any smudges or oil stains on the ground and any visible signs of leakage. Move your bike side to side so that the stagnant shock absorbers work the oil. Check your front fork and rear shock (if available) for oil stains—if they’re tidy and dry, you’re good to go!
When storing your bike, you can run into rodents. Carefully check for gnawed or broken wires to prevent any future damages.
Check Your Brakes & Tires
Take a close look at your brakes and tires before heading onto the road.
When you inspect your brakes, you should check your brake pads. Keep an eye out for any cracks or leaks in the brake lines. If your brake pads show signs of wear, you should replace them.
Inspect your tires for any damages, such as dry rot or cracks. Check the threading on your tires—do you need to replace them, or are they good to go?
Change Your Oil & Filters
Some riders prepare their oil and filters before storing their bikes during the winter months, but you shouldn’t do that. The new oil will dissolve during the winter and lose some of its essential properties. For that reason, it’s better to replace the oil at the start of riding season. Add a new filter and remove the dirt and sand. Make sure you dump the old oil before changing to the new.
Examine Your Drive Belt & Chain
Take care of the issues ahead of time to prevent an accident. Take a moment to examine your belt and chains for signs of wear and cracks that could cause a malfunction. You should also check for tension to ensure that it’s in pristine condition.
Go on a Test Ride
After getting your motorcycle ready for riding season, you can finally put the key in the ignition and go on a test drive. On this first ride, you want to analyze how your ride feels. You should notice any odd or abrupt behavior with your bike. If something doesn’t feel right, you should have it professionally checked.