Maximise the magic moments with a pre-ride check

There’s nothing like the feeling when you get on your motorcycle and are really at one with your machine. Everything feels smooth and coordinated and you feel in tune with every aspect of your bike, whatever your style of riding. These special moments arrive when it all comes together and you have confidence in your bike whatever the ride throws at you.

But there’s more to finding this great experience than riding skills and routes; you also need your motorbike to be safe, well prepared and in top condition. Doubts about mechanical performance or safety can ruin a ride – and a breakdown or accident never makes a good day out!

To maximise your riding experience, and of course for general safety, keep on top of your motorcycle’s regular servicing and seek expert help if there are maintenance jobs you can’t manage yourself. Even without the benefit of a fully equipped motorcycle workshop and pit crew, there is plenty you can do to make sure your riding goes smoothly.

Get into the habit of inspecting your bike for condition before each ride and do a more thorough check regularly. The ideal time to perform a deeper inspection is when cleaning it.

Pre-ride checklist:

• Check for any defects and damage and make sure nothing is loose or hanging off, including exhaust, bodywork panels, wires and fasteners. Check for obvious signs of damage to mirrors, frame and wheels, and check that your chain is tensioned, lubricated and moving smoothly and that sprockets are not worn.

• Check your fluid levels: petrol, oil, brake fluid and coolant. Make sure your coolant contains anti-freeze to prevent the water in your radiator freezing in sub-zero conditions.

• Check your electrics: does the headlight work on low and high beam? Are the tail light, brake light, number plate light, indicators and hazard warning lights all working correctly? Is the dash display functioning, and are there any warning lights illuminated? Check the horn and kill switch too. Does everything work while the engine is not running?

• Check the suspension. Are there any leaks around the forks or the rear suspension? Is everything moving as it should be?

• Check your controls. Are throttle, brake and clutch levers and cables operating smoothly?

• Check your brakes. How much wear is there on the brake pads and discs? Have they been affected by corrosion? Carry out a rolling brake check when you set off on each ride to ensure front and rear brakes are effective.

• Check your motorcycle’s tyres: Look for a minimum of 1mm tread depth across three quarters of the width of the tread pattern. Check your tyre pressures and look for any cracks or foreign objects. And you should also consider whether your tyres are suited to the type of riding you’ll be doing. Commuting through the winter has different requirements for scratching round the back lanes, cruising the continent or tearing up the trails. Moto-Edit can advise on the motorcycle tyres that will suit your style – and your budget – the best.

Keeping your motorcycle regularly serviced and properly maintained will help increase your satisfaction with your riding and get more of those magic moments. If in doubt, get your motorcycle into the workshop for some TLC.

Get expert help with motorcycle servicing and maintenance: contact Moto-Edit now to find out more about workshop services.