Motorcycle Pre-Ride Checklist

Whenever you step onto your motorcycle and pull out of your driveway or garage, you’re trusting your life to the assumption that your bike will perform as expected. You’re trusting your life to the idea that it will continue to accelerate when you hit the throttle, turn when you twist the handlebars, and brake when you pull the brake lever. But if you aren’t maintaining your bike, that might be one assumption too many.

A pre-ride checklist is the best way to ensure that your bike is in safe riding condition. While it’s easy to forget to perform this checklist, this is one habit you’ll want to be strict about. Have Questions? Feel free to contact our Service Department today!

Read on to learn our tips for the things to check before you ride. If your bike needs maintenance, stop by Interstate Cycles in Lake City, Florida. We proudly serve the areas of Gainesville, Tallahassee, Alachua, Valdosta, Jacksonville, and Sanderson, Florida.

Wheels

Wheels and tires are a common source of problems, and you’ll want to take a look to make sure yours are in good shape. If you haven’t bought one already, make sure to pick up a tire gauge. The tires should be inflated to manufacturer's recommendations. If you notice your tires deflating between rides, you might have a pinhole leak. That’s a problem and should be fixed immediately. The tread should also be in good shape and free of tearing, cracking, or other damage. Make sure there aren’t any bumps or bald patches, too. Remember that motorcycles go through tires much more quickly than cars and you might need to get yours replaced if you’ve ridden 10,000 miles or more on them.

Fluids

Make sure to check the level and quality of all the different fluids around the bike. The engine oil shouldn’t be too dark or sludgy. It also shouldn’t have any water, metal flakes, or other foreign impurities. You’ll want to check the brake fluid, too. There might be two reservoirs (one in front, one in back) that hold the fluid, so measure at these. If your bike is liquid cooled, check out the coolant level, too.

Brakes, Clutch & Throttle

The basic riding systems should all be in good, working order. You shouldn’t need to apply extra force to use your brakes, for example. The throttle should open and close smoothly and without any stickiness. The clutch should make it easy to change gears and you shouldn’t hear any extra grinding or feel any vibration. If you’re having trouble switching gears, it’s probably the clutch.

Chains & Sprockets

Any chains or sprockets on the bike should be well-lubricated and should have all of their gear teeth in order. If you see metal shavings or other defects, it’s time to get that part replaced. Your drive chain should be well oiled and free of rust. Occasionally, you’ll probably need to clean your drive chain more thoroughly, but make sure it’s sufficiently flexible and lubricated is a good everyday measure to take.

Lights

Test out your lights on occasion and make sure they’re all working correctly. Not having correct lights will make riding more dangerous and will decrease your visibility to other vehicles. Plus, broken taillights are one of the most common reasons cars get pulled over, and they’ll get you pulled over on a motorcycle, too.

Riding Gear

It’s important to make sure you have all of your riding gear in order before leaving. It’s easy to just put things on without thought, but if you actually take a look at your gear, you might end up catching a small problem before it becomes big. You’ll also be less likely to absentmindedly leave something important behind.

Getting into the habit of performing a pre-ride checklist is important. Hopefully, this list will help you remember to keep your bike in top riding condition. If you find yourself needing more serious repairs, stop by Interstate Cycles. Our team of motorcycle technicians will get your bike in shape in no time. We’re located in Lake City, Florida, serving the areas of Gainesville, Tallahassee, Alachua, Valdosta, Jacksonville, and Sanderson, Florida.