If your motorcycle’s been in storage all winter long, the warm weather may have you itching to hop on it once again for the spring and summer seasons. Before you rev that engine, though, make sure you take the time to get your ride in tiptop shape for ultimate fun and safety. Even while it is still too cold and windy to ride, you can learn about motorcycle recalls or defects. Once the sun comes out, practice these tips on how to get motorcycle ready for summer.
Put Some Air in the Tires
If your bike was resting on its tires all winter, there’s a good chance that the tires have lost air, or even gone flat on one side.
Replace the tires if you notice any of these situations.
- Uneven tread wear
- Balding
- Flat spots
If the tires look like they’re in good shape, add air until they’re at the ideal PSI (which is posted on the tires).
Replace Important Fluids
It’s very important that you check your fluids before heading out for the first ride of the season. The levels of oil and brake fluid are especially important. If the brake fluid is low, just add more.
For oil, it’s recommended that you do a full oil change on your bike, especially if you didn’t change the oil before storing it for the season. If you’re not sure how to do this on your own, take your bike into a professional mechanic.
Connect the Wires
It’s not uncommon to unplug the battery or disconnect the spark plugs when storing a bike for winter. To be sure everything’s working properly, do a test run in your garage to assess that everything’s connected as it should be.
Run the Following Tests on Your Wires
- Check all of your lights
- Test the battery
- Go on a test ride around the block and pump the brakes to make sure they are gripping
Take it Easy to Start
It can take a bike a minute to warm up if it has been sitting idle through cold winter months. To start, let your bike warm up by letting the engine run in the garage (with the garage door open) or on the driveway for few minutes. Once you’re ready to go, do a few easy blocks at a slow to moderate speed first; this will give your bike time to ease into the season, and will allow you to assess further any irregularities.
Ride Safely This Season
Preparing your bike for the warm weather is just one of the many things you need to do to ensure that your ride is as enjoyable and as safe as possible. Learn about how to choose a helmet, what types of eye protection you need, and more on our motorcycle accident blog.
