A Quick Checklist to Follow Before Your Motorcycle Ride
You work hard, and you deserve to play hard. And there’s nothing quite like enjoying a summertime ride on your trusty “steel horse!” But before you take off on your trip through the Virginia countryside, it pays to take a few minutes to make sure that both you and your bike are ready for the trip. Here’s a quick pre-ride checklist to follow before you get on the road. For more information, visit us at Virgil Naff's in Lynchburg, Virginia, serving Roanoke and Charlottesville, Virginia.
Check Your Fluids
A full tank of gas is important, and you should also check all of your fluid levels. In addition to checking your oil, be sure to also check your transmission and brake fluids. Your engine has a lot of parts that work together, and they need to be sufficiently lubricated to protect against wear and tear.
Check your Battery Charge
If you don’t ride every day, you might be better off removing your battery and storing it in a warm dry area. You might also consider using a trickle charger or a battery maintainer to prevent or replenish the standard discharge affecting batteries that are not in regular use. Battery maintainers help your battery maintain a charge and trickle chargers deliver a small constant charge. Whatever you use, be careful not to overcharge your battery.
Check your Filters
Air and oil filters are easy and inexpensive to replace, and you don’t have to wait until they are completely dirty to change them. Refer to your owner’s manual for the recommended replacement schedule, and don’t be afraid to replace them ahead of schedule.
Check Your Tire Pressure
Maintaining the proper tire pressure prolongs the life of your tires and improves gas mileage. You can find the recommended PSI in your owner’s manual.
Clean Your Windshield
No one likes starting out a ride with a dirty windshield, and they take seconds to clean. Just be sure use a clean clot, and that any cleaning products you use are safe for use on acrylics.
Adjust Your Seat And Foot Pegs
You might not always think of tightening up your foot pegs, but if one comes loose, it can hit another vehicle or another rider. Be sure that your seat is positioned so that you can reach your pedals and pegs without stretching. And if you have a passenger be sure he or she is also comfortably seated and won’t need to shift and readjust during the ride.
Check Your Lights and Electronics
Your headlights and indicators are an important safety feature for both you and other motorists. Check your running lights, headlights (high and low beams), turn signals, and brake lights.
For more information, visit us at Virgil Naff's in Lynchburg, Virginia, serving Roanoke and Charlottesville, Virginia.