4 Things To Get Your Motorcycle Ready For Spring

MOTORBIKES   /   March 18th, 2018

1. Check your battery

One of the biggest problems a motorcycle will face after a long winter is a dead battery. If you haven’t already, get your battery onto a trickle charger. Check the fluid levels and give it a slow charge. If you aren’t getting any juice, you may have to suck it up and buy a new battery. Better to take care of that now instead of missing out on that first ride.

2. Change your oil

You may have changed your oil as part of your winterizing process, but if not, it’s a good idea to change it before starting a new riding season. Every motorcycle is different, so you’ll need to consult an owner’s manual for the exact procedure, but it’s a good practice to change your oil and filter at the same time.

3. Clean it up

Your bike has been sitting up for a few months and it’s probably collected some dust. Give your bike a thorough cleaning. If you’ve got the time, wax it to protect it from the upcoming riding season.

4. Check your tires

Begin your springtime inspection by checking the tire sidewalls for signs of cracking—indicators that it could be time for replacements. Never apply tire sidewall treatments or dressings, which can actually accelerate tire cracking. Even if your tires look okay, this may be a great time to replace them.While you’re at it, make sure your pounds per square inch (PSI) levels are filled to the appropriate mark in your tires. If you’re unsure what your PSI should be, check your motorcycle owner’s manual or try to find it on the Web.

Bonus: Ride Season Checklist

Hopefully, you’ve heard of T-CLOCK: tires, controls, lights, oil, chassis, kickstand. It’s a safety checklist designed by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation that should be done prior to every ride. Most riders forgot the T-CLOCK checklist during the season, but you should absolutely make sure that you go through it now. Diagnosing a problem now can save you a lot of frustration on that first day of spring.

The V-Twin Blogger