Two critical items that seem to be most ignored are brake fluid and tires. I am amazed at how many brake levers feel mushy when I squeeze them. I don't know if it's caused by air in the lines or old fluid that has absorbed water, or both, but the solution is the same: bleed the brakes and install fresh fluid at least every other year. It's cheap and easy.

Motorcycle Tire Dangers & Safety...

It's Only Flat on One Side

A tire gauge is the first tool any motorcyclist should buy. This Radio Shack talking gauge is useful if you check tires in a dark garage because it announces the pressure. It was $15, but a $5 pencil gauge should do the job.

However, the only equipment problem that shows up at any extent as a factor in motorcycle accident statistics is tire deflation or failure. Users of tube-type tires, found on most cruisers with wire-spoke wheels, increase their chances of experiencing the thrill of a sudden tire deflation, but it can happen with tubeless tires as well. If you have ever experienced a rapid tire deflation, usually called a blow-out, you know how exciting it can be, even if you don't crash as a result. If you are moving at highway speeds, you are suddenly riding a bike that is horrifically unstable and doesn't steer very well at all. Just trying to get to the shoulder--and stay there as you roll to a stop--is quite a challenge. If you are in heavy traffic or a corner, things could be quite grim. I have never had a front tire blow out on a motorcycle, but I suspect it's even worse.

Motorcycle tires are both simpler and more complex than brake fluid, but even more vital. Everything a moving motorcycle does relies on those two little hand-print-sized patches where the rubber meets the road. If your tires are not in peak condition, your motorcycle can't steer, stop or accelerate as effectively as it should.

The tires on our bikes are amazingly tough, but they confront an imposing array of threats. Potholes, punctures, slashes, and accelerated wear from lock-up and wheelspin are everyday hazards that can ruin or degrade your tires' condition in an instant. You can't always avoid these dangers, but you can check to see if they have inflicted any visible damage to your tires. Do you inspect your tires for visible damage before every ride? Every day you ride? Once a week? Once a month? If you said yes to any of those, you are probably doing better at it than most riders.

A lift or simple leverage-style jack can make tire inspection more easy by raising the wheel and tire off the ground so you can spin it. Our affordable Craftsman Motorcycle Jack has proved handy for this.

To be sure, cruiser manufacturers and fashion don't make it easy to inspect your tires. You can count on your thumbs the number of current cruiser models with centerstands. Add in full fenders, long pipes, and other accoutrements that make it hard to see more than a sliver of tire, and tire inspection becomes a challenge. You either need to have someone to help you roll the bike while you look at the tread and sidewalls, or you need a workstand to do it by yourself. Of course, some things, such as advanced wear or unusual wear patterns are easy to spot, particularly up front.

Some things can be checked without viewing the entire perimeter of the tire. You can easily check valve stems, for example. A tilted valve stem on a tube-type tire is trouble. It usually means the tube has been spun on the wheel, which can pull the stem loose. The valve core should also be seated tightly. Avoid flimsy valve stem caps, and use caps with sealing rubber O-rings inside. Check that balance weights are firmly attached. Look for dented or cracked rims. If you find a bad rim on a wire-spoke wheel, consider replacing it with cast or billet wheel that you can run with a tubeless tire. (See the billet-wheel buyer's guide in the "Accessories and Gear" section of this site.

Considering the consequences of a tire failure at spee