First Ride of The Season

Spring is almost here, and with it comes motorcycle riding season. For motorcyclists like me and many others, it’s a time of rebirth and rejoicing. We’ve suffered through yet another long, hard winter, and we can’t wait to ride again. Before heading out for your first ride of the new season, there are a few things to remember, and your bike needs a little attention so that you start the season as safely as you can.

Let’s start with your motorcycle:

1. Check and set your tire pressures. There is a sticker on your bike that will remind you what your pressures should be when the tires are cold. The sticker will likely be on the frame with your vin#, but some bikes also have an additional sticker on the chain guard if your bike has chain drive. 

I can’t stress how important this is. Tires lose pressure over time and motorcycles simply don’t steer correctly with low pressures. 

1. Check and top off your oil, coolant (if your bike has a radiator) and any other fluids that you have access to. Take a look at the color of your brake fluid, it should be light colored and translucent. Brake fluid is hydroscopic, which means it absorbs moisture so its performance (ability to absorb heat without boiling) deteriorates over time. It should be replaced (flushed and the system bled) every two years, no exceptions! I have rebuilt many brake systems over the years. It’s always due to old brake fluid corroding the system from the inside. It’s expensive! Don’t neglect it! If your bike is equipped with rubber brake hoses they should be replaced every 4 years.
2. Check for fluid leaks! Don’t ride your bike until you get any leaks repaired. Crashing in your own leaking fluids is a really foolish way to fall down and hurt yourself! Fork seals leak onto the front brakes and front tire. Engine oil and coolant leaks always find their way to the rear tire.
3. Start your bike up and check all your lights. If something doesn’t work correct it before riding. A faulty brake light switch or bulb is an easy way for a car to not notice that you are slowing down! Ouch!

Let’s talk about Spring road conditions

1. Spring weather can be beautiful but roads are typically covered in Winter sand. Here in Bethel the street sweepers start cleaning it up in early May. I know it should be obvious, but sand is slippery! Those of us who work in the motorcycle dealership industry always see an increase in Spring crashes because of it. Don’t let it be you!
2. If the roads are still white with Winter salt, don’t ride. My advice here is based on four decades of motorcycle maintenance. Salt eats up motorcycles and will make ownership more expensive, don’t do it! If you must ride anyway, hose your bike down as soon as it cools off to minimize the damage.

Suit up!

Wear your safety gear! Falling down on sand covered roads hurts less when you have your gear on. If you fall down in Winter sand on your street it will be less embarrassing if your neighbor doesn’t have to drive you to Urgent Care to get treated for road rash. If you’ve suited up it might only be your pride that’s hurt, not your body!

Have fun, be safe, see you out there!