Daily Slideshow: Pre-Spring Check Ups- Getting Your Bike Back On The Road
With Spring right around the corner, there are things that you should know before the temperatures get back to awesome riding weather. Check out our list of tips for your bike below.
During The Winter
For those us unlucky enough to have snow-covered roads, the cold months tend to see our bikes sit idle while we eagerly wait for the roads to clear. There are, however, some things you can do to ensure you maintain that personal connection with your ride and be ready for the thaw.
2. Standard Services
When it comes to maintenance, some people prefer to let a shop or the dealer do the work. However, for those of us that want more spending money for the riding season, the winter months offer a great opportunity to address those critical service items that tend to be ignored. Oil changes, seals, rubber mounts, cables, and general maintenance often go by the wayside during riding season. Although, ideally, you would store your bike for the winter following post-season services, take this opportunity to learn about your bike.
3. Beyond Basic Services
Invest in your motorcycle's service manual. Some can be a bit pricey but well worth the time and effort to get to know your motorcycle. To seasoned riders, exchanging a tire, or getting into the primary chain case is beyond garage-capabilities. To others, however, this is just standard tinkering. You will be surprised how much your rider confidence soars the more you know about your bike.
4. Cleaning
Your chrome is shining all year round, but is your bike clean? Winter is a fantastic time to get under the fenders, get the spokes shined up, and maybe even behind the heat shields. If you have wraps on your exhaust, you can take this opportunity to ceramic-coat the steel and re-wrap in order to prevent rust and premature wear.
5. Gather New Tools
Take time to learn one new skill and gather the tools for it. If you are proficient with the fluids maintenance, breaks, etc, you might want to learn something you haven't previously attempted, such as greasing the steering bearings or radiator work (new twin-cooled engines). While this would be old-hat to seasoned riders, if you are a new rider you will soon find out that motorcycles can occupy your life, even when you aren't riding.
6. Surf The Web
Reading about and thinking about riding are the next best things to actually doing it when the real thing is not an option. Read opinions, forums, and articles about something you are passionate about when it comes to riding. Whether you are interested in touring, fixing, selling, working on, or commuting, the motorcycle community online is full of ideas and collective knowledge. If you always wanted to tour across America, read about it, and get informed and excited about it. Participate in active forums and do not be discouraged by negative comments, bad attitudes, or lack of support when you are online.
For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.
