Pre-Ride Checklist For Motorcycles
What’s the best way to start off any motorcycle ride? Going through a safety pre-ride checklist of course! Sure it may not be the most glamorous beginning to a trip, but it’s a crucial component of safe riding. It’s easy to forget important steps when there’s so much to remember. We care about your safety at 2Brothers Powersports, so we put together a Honda bikes pre-ride checklist for your convenience. If you find an issue with your bike, give us a call to get it serviced at our location in Onalaska, Wisconsin.
Tires
Tires are one of the most crucial parts of the performance of Honda motorcycles. If your tires aren’t functional, you are not going to get very far. One great tool for checking your tires is a tire gauge, which measures your tire pressure. It’s cheap, small, and belongs in every Honda bike owner’s toolkit. Look at both tires to ensure they are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommendations. If one or both tires is often deflated, you likely have a small leak needing immediate attention. You should check at least once a week, but it never hurts to check more often. Some riders even do it before every ride. After you check the tire pressure, examine your tread. Make sure there aren’t any tearing, cracking, bald patches, or other damage. You’ll likely need to replace your tires around 10,000 miles but may have to earlier if damage occurs.
Necessary Fluids
All Honda bikes need fluids to function. It’s important to make sure you have enough fluids, and that the fluids aren’t compromised by impurities.
- Start by checking your engine oil. It shouldn’t be too dark or sludge-like. It also should be free of water and other impurities.
- Next check the level of your brake fluids. Some models have front and back reserves. If that’s your bike, make sure to take a peek at both.
- Finally, check the level of your coolant if your bike uses liquid cooling (which most modern motorcycles do).
Brakes, Clutch, & Throttle
You’ll need to test these while driving, but you should still check them before you start your ride. Take your bike around the block a few times and test them. When you engage each of these, you’re looking for anything out of the ordinary that could signal a problem. Everything should be working smoothly. If not, you’ll want to take it in for maintenance.
- Brakes - When you test your brakes, you are looking for any irregularities. Do you need to apply more force than normal? Are your brake handles tough to move? Do you feel any grinding or excessive vibrations? These all suggest brake problems.
- Throttle - With your throttle, it should fully open and close seamlessly. If your bike idles in a gear it shouldn’t be, that could be a sign that your throttle isn’t closing fully. If you feel any stickiness, that could be an issue too.
- Clutch - A smooth working clutch lets you change gears easily. There shouldn’t be any extra grinding or vibrations. Otherwise, there may be an issue needing a repair. Because clutch repairs are often complicated, you’ll want to go to a professional service technician experienced with Honda motorcycles.
Lights
All your lights should be visible and bright. Other motorists need to be able to see you and your intended changes (like when you signal to change lanes or turn). Check your headlights, brake lights, and turn signals.
Riding Gear
There are some crucial items you should never ride without and these should be inspected too.
- Waterproof gear should be examined for any rips or holes. After all, what good is waterproof gear if you still get wet anyway?
- Eye protection should be free of any chips or cracks.
- Make sure you're loaded up with everything you need too, such as a neckerchief, riding gloves, and a helmet.
In Closing
When it comes to riding motorcycles, safety is a priority. Honda bikes are known to be sturdy and reliable, but you still need to do your part. Bring your motorcycle to 2Brothers Powersports in Onalaska, Wisconsin for maintenance services, parts, or gear. We serve those in Onalaska, Wisconsin and the surrounding areas.
