With Spring on the horizon, it’s a good time to start dreaming about that first motorcycle ride!
The sun on your face, wind in your hair, and the throttle wide open, it doesn’t get better than that. But before you head out on the highway, you will want to make sure your motorcycle is in tip-top shape! Here is a Spring Motorcycle Maintenance 101 for the newbies and a refresher for you biker relics, so let’s get that bike out and get started, weather permitting of course.
Do a full Walk Around
Take a good, close look at your motorcycle, check for any leaks, wear and tear or telltale signs that you need work done. Turn the key, make sure the lights, turn signals and horn are in working condition.
Fill the Tank and Check the Oil
You should always start the riding season with a fresh tank of gas, which means draining any fuel from the carburetors first. A tank of old gas that’s been sitting for more than six weeks could spell disaster, it can thicken and plug up carburetor jets and passageways. It's also good practice to change your oil on your motorcycle at least once a year and springtime are as good as time as any.
Check Your Air Filter and Battery
In case you didn’t remove your battery before you stored your motorcycle and kept a charge, you will need to charge it completely before your first ride. Keep your air filter clean or simply replace it, your engine will thank you.
Inspect Your Tires
Nothing is more important to motorcycle safety than looking for wear and tear, cracks, dry rot, and low pressure on those tires. A worn tire and low pressure will make your motorcycle difficult to handle, so don’t take any chances and replace the tire if need be.
Clean The Chain
Follow the owner’s manual for your specific motorcycle to keep the chain clean and clear of dirt and buildup. There are also YouTube videos that will show you step by step how to clean your chain, here is one of my favorites.
Wash Your Motorcycle
From top to bottom, give your motorcycle a good wash down, taking the time to look over the bike and check for anything you may have overlooked. If you need more information, you can check our recent blog!
Take Your Motorcycle for a Spin
Go for a ride around the block and refamiliarize yourself with your motorcycle, pay attention to how it handles and make sure everything is working as it should be. Now is the time to make repairs and get it in the shop before the season is in full swing. Also take time to look over your motorcycle gear (Helmet, gloves, goggles, face shield) and see if you need to replace or repair any of your equipment.
Now that your motorcycle is road ready, why not take a look at VOOM’s Pay-Per-Mile motorcycle insurance. An affordable option that offers cheap motorcycle insurance, coverage, and a plan that puts you in charge of your savings!
Start the season off strong with a well-maintained motorcycle and motorcycle insurance that saves you money. Now, let's head out on that highway.
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