How to Prepare Your Motorcycle for Riding Season


If you’re not among the lucky ones who can ride their bike all year round, you probably know a lot about how to get ready for the next riding season. You also probably can’t wait to take your bike out for the first ride, but there are some things you should most definitely do before that happens. Here are the most valuable tips for getting your prized possession ready.

Inspect the condition

The first thing you need to do is check if there is stabilizer in the fuel tank, if the tires are inflated and whether your battery still has enough energy left. If you did everything correctly when you put your bike in the garage, you’ll probably be able to ride it soon enough. Otherwise, it might take you a bit longer.

Missing parts?

If you remember you were planning to have a part replaced or added when you stored your bike away, but still haven’t come round to it, now is the last moment. Luckily, you can now order quality motorcycle accessories online and have them delivered to your doorstep. Just make sure you choose parts and fluids recommended by the manufacturer.

Give it a wash

No matter where you’ve kept your bike over the past few months, it most certainly deserves a good wash, especially if you failed to provide adequate protection during the winter. Also, while washing it, you’ll be able to better inspect its overall state and possibly notice an issue.

Consult the manual

It’s always a good idea to consult your owner’s or service manual before each riding season. You might have forgotten something about getting your bike ready, in which case manuals are a great reminder. In case you can’t find your copy, make sure you obtain a new one either online or from a dealership.

Fuel

Stale fuel can be a great problem, since gasoline deteriorates rather quickly. If your bike hasn’t been used for months, you can expect the more combustible elements to have started evaporating, which is not good for the engine. Also, unused gasoline can react with oxygen and create varnish deposits in the fuel system, thus clogging it. That’s why smart bike owners either drain the fuel or add a fuel stabilizer in the tank.

Battery

You are probably aware that the battery can be affected if a bike is not used for a longer period of time. You may jump-start your bike a couple of times, but each time your battery goes dead, its life cycle is shortened and you’ll soon find yourself in need of a new battery. If the battery wasn’t kept on a trickle charger while it was stored, you’ll first need to charge the battery back up before the first use.

Tires

You know you should check your tires before every ride if you want to be sure you’re safe. If you think about it, just a few square inches of rubber keep hundreds of pounds of metal (and the rider) in contact with the road. If your bike has been in a garage for a longer period, you need to thoroughly inspect whether the tire pressure is up to specifications. Chances are you’ll need to inflate the tires properly before the first ride. Another thing that requires your attention is the tire wear, since you have to rely on your tires to keep you unhurt and alive.

Filter and oil

If you haven’t changed your oil before the winter, it is high time you did it. If you’re not sure how to do it, take your bike to someone who knows and make sure you use the right type of oil and filter for your particular model. Most bike owners choose to replace the oil and filter at the same time, which is a sound idea.
In order to be able to enjoy riding to the fullest, you first have to get your bike ready. After all, your safety is the most important thing and without a fully functional bike, you’re endangering your life.
 
 


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