Riding a motorcycle is much more complex than driving a vehicle such as a car or truck. Bike riders must be very attentive to their surroundings, especially other drivers, and have a certain level of physical coordination that isn’t required by a car. You can also enjoy a sense of freedom when riding a motorcycle that cars, not even a Tesla, can offer. But before you can enjoy your time on the road, there are a few things you must do first.
Before You Tuck the Kickstand, Be Sure Your Bike is Ready!
For motorcycle riders, warmer days mean it’s time to hit the open road again. But if your bike has been exposed to the cold winter water for months, there are a few things you must do first to ready your bike for the road. By having a maintenance checklist for your motorcycle, you can ensure no important steps are being overlooked. If you decide to create a checklist for yourself, be sure to include the following:
- Start Out with Fresh Fuel – If your motorcycle has been sitting around all winter, the first step you must take is to change the fuel. When it sits in the tank for too long, gas tends to get stale. You can use a siphon pump to get rid of the old gas in the bike and then replace it with the fresh fuel.
- Change the Oil – Just as important as fresh fuel is, you’ll also need to ensure you have fresh oil. Before you can take your bike out for a spin, you’ll need to change the oil in your motorcycle and replace its filter as well. By neglecting this important step, you could affect both the performance and longevity of your bike.
- Check the Battery – There are some motorcycle owners who will disconnect their batteries during the winter and recharge them every month or so to keep them in good condition. And once you reconnect it, you’re probably ready to hit the road. But after sitting idle all winter long, you may be facing a dead battery. If it’s fairly new, you may not have an issue at all, but if it’s several years old, you may find that it’s hard to keep a good charge. In this case, you might want to play it safe and invest in a new one.
- Check Tire Pressure – Tires are one of the most important components of any motor vehicle, so you need to be sure that they have both your time and attention. It’s not just what’s on the outside that counts, but also what’s on the inside. The air pressure of your tires plays a very important role in both your safety and the performance of your bike. Before you go out, fill your tires to the right pressure and inspect them carefully.
- Get Plenty of Fluids – While oil and gas are very important for your bike, they aren’t the only fluids it depends on. Both brake fluid and coolant are important for maintenance, but if you leave your bike sitting for too long, it has the tendency to leak. Always double check the level of all your fluids and refill or top them off before driving off. You can also flush the fluids out and replace them with new, this way you can have peace of mind knowing your bike will be set for the open road.
- Check the Clutch and Throttle – Before going out on a new adventure, be sure to double check your throttle and clutch for smooth operation and any required adjustments. If your clutch or throttle is stuck and cable lubricant can’t seem to solve the problem, look for an interference on the lever or throttle tube itself. If your cables are worn, be sure to replace them as well.
Keep Up With the Suggested Maintenance and Have a Smooth Riding Experience!
No matter if you’re a seasonal rider or if you’re planning to invest in your first motorcycle, it’s crucial that you know how to maintain your bike properly. By following the safety checklist we’ve listed above, or one of your very own, you can rest assured knowing your bike is ready for a new year of open-road adventures. Without following each step in this important checklist, maintaining your bike can become quite difficult over time. But one of the best ways to ensure your motorcycle is in great condition is to keep it sheltered under a prefab metal garage from American Metal Buildings. These durable structures are one of the most reliable solutions offered on the market, no matter your needs. If you would like more information about how to properly maintain your bike with a metal garage, give us a call today at +1 (877) 277-3060.
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