Check Your Motorcycle Out Before You Ride

Spring is in the air and you cannot wait to get your motorcycle out and go for that first long drive out to the Severson Dells Nature Preserve in Winnebago. You have already had your bike in to the dealer for its scheduled maintenance, so you are all ready to go. However, before you take your bike out for a ride, it is important to do a pre-ride check.

Elements of a Pre-Ride Inspection

• Tires – Use a good tire gauge to check the tire pressure and inspect the tire surface for any obvious signs of trouble.
• Controls – Cables are strong and do not break often. However, it is a good idea to check for kinks or stiffness, which can indicate a problem.
• Mirrors – Mirrors can get bumped while the bike is in storage, so be sure to check and adjust them before you ride.
• Lights – Check the headlights, brake light, and turn signals to make sure they are all in working order. It is a good idea to check the horn too.
• Fluids – Check the gas and oil and top them off as needed.
• Brakes – Before each ride, check your front and rear brakes to ensure they are working the way they should be.
• Chain – Check the tension on the chain drive.
• Kickstands – Check to be sure the center stand and side stand fold up and stay there. If not, you may need to replace one or more of the retraction springs.

You should conduct a pre-ride inspection every time you take your bike out. It does not take very long and can save from a serious problem on the road. Do you perform a pre-ride inspection? If so, what do you check? Share some of your tips in the comments section below.