Pre-ride checks
Tourer
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 431
Likes: 0
From: b.c.
commuting;
- check to see if there is fuel and the jiffy stand is up.
weekend ride;
- above plus tire pressures, check oil, suspension pressure, lights
road trip;
- as above plus check all oils and/or service if it's a long trip. give the bike a "once over" checking fasteners, belt, etc.
Dave
- check to see if there is fuel and the jiffy stand is up.
weekend ride;
- above plus tire pressures, check oil, suspension pressure, lights
road trip;
- as above plus check all oils and/or service if it's a long trip. give the bike a "once over" checking fasteners, belt, etc.
Dave
Thread Starter
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Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 552
Likes: 1
From: Northern VA
I suppose now that I think about it, especially for a longer trip (in addition to all of the above), I check the saddlebag bolts (aftermarket type) to avoid losing one or both of them on some highway.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 7,476
Likes: 5
From: Republic of Texas
I do a walk around and look at the bike first. I mean really look. If I have checked the tires in the last few days with a gauge---I may just kick the centers and see how they feel. Do this enough and you can tell when a tire feels off. I look where the bike was parked and see if there is anything new that may have dripped on the ground. I will pull the dipstick and look at the oil, oil level and even smell it sometimes. I then roll the bike out to start it. I go through my start up sequence, which is the same but different for each bike. On the efi. I turn on the key, flip the run switch, watch the gauges power up and set. I listen for the fuel pump and the rush of fuel. I pull in the clutch and then light her off. I will put her back on the kickstand and do another walk around again while she warms up. I always warm up everything I start. Listening at her. Looking at her again including looking at the lights now. Basically two walk arounds and if something catches my eye I investigate further. The carb bike gets basically the same walk around. Startup is a little different. Turn gas on and prime her before lighting her off. I have to set the throttle screw to keep the rpm up around 1200-1500 while I do my second walk around. Ritual is almost the same since I was a young man. I have caught a few potential problems before I left the house by doing this through the years. It is automatic now and only takes a few minutes to do.
Same here, when I first got my street bob I'd check tire pressure before every ride along with lights, and signals, now, I ride every day but every ride is around 30 miles or less, so Ill just check tire pressure every few days along with the rest, If I plan to go on a longer ride Ill do the workup.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 3,908
Likes: 19
From: Dayton
I'm terrible about pre-checks. Terrible. I do regularly check the oil and tire pressure, though. Should probably add a brake light check to that. If I had an older bike I might be more inclined to check the hell out of everything before a ride, but that's why I bought a newer bike.
Mostly, with this bullshit weather, I'm mainly checking if I'm gonna get my *** wet.
Mostly, with this bullshit weather, I'm mainly checking if I'm gonna get my *** wet.
Last edited by Benway; Jun 27, 2013 at 01:42 PM.
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Joe Kucinski
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 594
Likes: 1
From: Martinsville, IN
I check to see if there is a puddle of oil around my bike
I check to see if there is enough gas to get to my destination
I check to see if there is enough money in my wallet for the end of the destination
Other than that-no
I check to see if there is enough gas to get to my destination
I check to see if there is enough money in my wallet for the end of the destination
Other than that-no