Pre-Ride Checklist
Motorcycles might seem like a much more jump-on-and-go kind of vehicle compared to cars and trucks, but there’s a lot that can change and affect your bike from ride to ride. When it comes to ensuring a safe ride and a bike in operating condition, you might want to take some extra time to look over your bike before you head out. At Biggs Harley-Davidson®, we’re more than just a dealership — we’re Harley riders too, so we know our customer are eager to hop in the saddle and hit the road. But taking a moment to check a few key components of your bike before each ride can end up saving you time, money, or even your life. In that spirit, we’ve put together this quick guide with some tips to creating your own pre-ride checklist. Read on for more information or head into our San Marcos, California location, near San Diego, Oceanside, Encinitas, Carlsbad, and Santee.
Tires
There’s no better place to start your pre-ride checklist than the tires. They’re where your bike meets the road and sure to be early indicators of a problem with your bike. Tire pressure should be checked with a simple pressure gauge and compared to the factory recommendation listed on the tire. Examine the tread for even wear between front and back. If the wear isn’t even, this could indicate trouble with your bike beyond the tires. Don’t let the tread wear completely down and consider replacements should the tread wear too low. Next check the tread for any foreign objects that might have gotten stuck in there. They can come loose on future rides and cause damage, so remove them when you find them! Also examine the tire wall for scrapes, scalping, or any other damage that could be a sign that your tires are in need of replacement.
Fluids and Filters
Your engine oil is checked the same way on a bike as it is on a car. Simply remove the dipstick, clean it off, reinsert, and then take it out again. The oil should be gold in color and have a low viscosity; discolored, sludgy oil means it’s time to replace both the oil and the filter. Otherwise, top off the oil to the recommended levels and move on. The front and rear brakes will have separate fluid reservoirs. Check the fluid levels in both and just top them off as needed. The same goes for engine coolant, which can usually be check by an indicator on the side of the tank.
Brakes, Clutch, and Throttle
It’s hard to check the brakes, clutch, and throttle without getting moving, but you don’t want to wait until you hit traffic to test things out. First, inspect the discs on your brakes to make sure they are shiny and clear. There shouldn’t be any grooves or divots in your discs either. The brake handles should move easily and without too much resistance. Roll out of your driveway and as you approach your first stop sign, slowly apply pressure a little in advance of where you normally would. As you begin to apply more pressure, feel for grinding or vibrations and listen for squealing. Your throttle should operate smoothly and should close completely on its own. If your bike is idling at a high speed when it’s not in gear, it may mean your throttle isn’t completely closing. Finally, check your clutch for smooth operation. You should be able to quickly and easily switch between gears, and if there is some grinding when you go to switch into a new gear, it could mean your clutch isn’t engaging fully.
Taking a few minutes to check over your motorcycle before a ride can save you time, money, and save you from potential danger on the road. It’s well worth your time to ensure your investment is in operating condition. For more maintenance tips, or if you’re just eager to check out our selection of new and used Harley motorcycles, head into Biggs Harley-Davidson® in San Marcos, California, near San Diego, Oceanside, Encinitas, Carlsbad, and Santee. Our team of knowledgeable and courteous professionals are eager to answer all your questions and show you the true meaning of customer satisfaction. Come in today!