If you live in a warmer climate all year round, consider us jealous. Spring is right around the corner for the rest of us and you know what that means – riding season is officially upon us. We are PUMPED to brush the dust off of our bikes and say goodbye to winter.
But before you roll your bike out of the garage, it’s important to make sure it’s fully ready for that first epic ride of the season. If you prepped your bike properly for winter storage, you might not have a lot of work to do before taking your first ride, but there are a few things everyone still needs to check.
We’ll give you a few tips on how to prep your bike for riding season below.
Make it Shine –
First and foremost, we recommend bringing your beauty back to life with a detailed wash/cleaning. Brush all the dust off and make sure your bike wasn’t the home to any rodents or nests during the colder months. Make sure to give your bike a fresh coat of wax so it’s protected from the elements during the riding months.
First and foremost, we recommend bringing your beauty back to life with a detailed wash/cleaning. Brush all the dust off and make sure your bike wasn’t the home to any rodents or nests during the colder months. Make sure to give your bike a fresh coat of wax so it’s protected from the elements during the riding months.
Take a Look at Your Tires –
Tires are obviously a crucial component of a motorcycle, so make sure yours are in the good condition before taking your bike for a spin. You’ll want to look for any cracks, punctures, examine the tread condition, and the general wear and tear in both tires. If you see any issues, you might want to consider buying some new wheels for the upcoming season. If you don’t see any red flags, you’ll still want to make sure you check your tire pressure before hitting the road.
Tires are obviously a crucial component of a motorcycle, so make sure yours are in the good condition before taking your bike for a spin. You’ll want to look for any cracks, punctures, examine the tread condition, and the general wear and tear in both tires. If you see any issues, you might want to consider buying some new wheels for the upcoming season. If you don’t see any red flags, you’ll still want to make sure you check your tire pressure before hitting the road.
Check Your Fluids –
You’ll want to start by taking look at your fuel. If you used a fuel stabilizer during your winter storage prep, your fuel should be in fairly good shape. Check to make sure there’s no gunk or grime when you open the filler cap. We also recommend taking a look at your oil level before riding. It might be a good idea to change your oil and filter (depending on condition) considering your bike has been stagnant for a while.
You’ll want to start by taking look at your fuel. If you used a fuel stabilizer during your winter storage prep, your fuel should be in fairly good shape. Check to make sure there’s no gunk or grime when you open the filler cap. We also recommend taking a look at your oil level before riding. It might be a good idea to change your oil and filter (depending on condition) considering your bike has been stagnant for a while.
How’s Your Battery?
If you used a trickle charger during the winter months, your battery will probably be in good shape. If you didn’t, you’ll want to make sure your battery is fully charged before taking a ride. If you see any corrosion, make sure to clean it properly. You’ll also want to check that the battery water level is full, if not, make sure to top it off.
If you used a trickle charger during the winter months, your battery will probably be in good shape. If you didn’t, you’ll want to make sure your battery is fully charged before taking a ride. If you see any corrosion, make sure to clean it properly. You’ll also want to check that the battery water level is full, if not, make sure to top it off.
Check for Leaks and Examine All the Nuts and Bolts –
Take a walk around your bike and make sure there has been no leakage during storage. We also suggest checking that all nuts and bolts are tightened on your unit.
Take a walk around your bike and make sure there has been no leakage during storage. We also suggest checking that all nuts and bolts are tightened on your unit.
Test Your Brakes –
It’s a no brainer that brakes are pretty important while riding, so make sure yours are in good condition. Don’t forget to examine your brake pads and brake-fuel levels before riding.
It’s a no brainer that brakes are pretty important while riding, so make sure yours are in good condition. Don’t forget to examine your brake pads and brake-fuel levels before riding.
Lubrication –
It’s a good idea to make sure all of the moving parts on your bike are well-lubricated before you ride. Grab the proper grease for your motorcycle (check the owner’s manual) and get to work.
It’s a good idea to make sure all of the moving parts on your bike are well-lubricated before you ride. Grab the proper grease for your motorcycle (check the owner’s manual) and get to work.
Check All Electrics –
Test your lights and signals before every ride. No one wants to be stranded on a night ride with a headlight out.
Test your lights and signals before every ride. No one wants to be stranded on a night ride with a headlight out.
Are You Ready to Roll?
If it’s been a while since you’ve ridden your bike remember – it’s okay to take it slow for the first couple of rides (even though it might be hard). Take some time to reacquaint yourself with your bike and it’s ergonomics, and if you’re feeling a bit rusty, we recommend continuing your biker education by taking a motorcycle safety course.
If it’s been a while since you’ve ridden your bike remember – it’s okay to take it slow for the first couple of rides (even though it might be hard). Take some time to reacquaint yourself with your bike and it’s ergonomics, and if you’re feeling a bit rusty, we recommend continuing your biker education by taking a motorcycle safety course.
Check Your Other Gear –
Now that you’ve checked out the entirety of your bike, it’s a good time to take a look at the quality of your other motorcycle gear. Make sure your helmet and protective gear are all in good shape (no cracks or tearing). If you notice anything out of the ordinary, it might be a good time for an upgrade or replacement.
Now that you’ve checked out the entirety of your bike, it’s a good time to take a look at the quality of your other motorcycle gear. Make sure your helmet and protective gear are all in good shape (no cracks or tearing). If you notice anything out of the ordinary, it might be a good time for an upgrade or replacement.
Anyone else stoked for riding season? Our hands are up. But before you rev your engines this year, make sure your bike is prepped and ready to hit that pavement. Do you have any spring bike prep tricks you swear by? Let us know in the comments below.
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