For many motorcycle riders, winter means storing your motorcycle away while you wait for warmer temperatures and better riding conditions. Now that summer has arrived so has the time to take the bike out of storage and head back out onto the road. Before you strap on your helmet and hit the road there are some basic tips to getting your motorcycle, and you, ready to ride.
Perform Routine Maintenance
Before taking your first ride you need to make sure your motorcycle is in top shape. If you stored your motorcycle away properly for the winter it should be easy to getting it running right again. If not? You may need to be prepared to put some time and effort in to getting your bike road worthy.
Your motorcycle owner’s manual should layout the appropriate summer maintenance tasks that need attention after storing your bike. Basic tasks that need to be performed include; flushing the fuel system (if you failed to add a fuel stabilizer before storing your bike), checking and replacing air filters, inspecting tire tread and pressure, checking fluid levels, inspecting brakes, making sure your battery is charged, and inspecting all lights and cables. Performing these routine maintenance tasks helps insure that your first ride of the summer goes smoothly.
Are you Ready to Ride?
Once your motorcycle is ready to ride you need to make sure you are ready to ride as well. After a long winter driving a car you can become oblivious to motorcycle issues like visibility or road surface hazards. For relatively new riders, and for experienced riders, it may be a good idea to take a refresher course with a local motorcycle-training program. At the very least you should practice your emergency skills in a parking lot. Regardless of whether you take a refresher course or practice on your own, every rider should practice critical skills by performing some cornering and braking drills.
Be Aware of Damaged Roads and Inattentive Drivers
Even though you and your bike are ready for the summer riding season, remember that the roads may not be. Roadways take a lot of abuse during the winter. Between damage from snowplows scraping the surface and repeated freezing and thawing of snow and ice, there is the potential for surface hazards until road crews can make repairs.
Additionally, you need to remember that drivers may not be used to seeing motorcycles on the road after a long winter. You need to be extra vigilant when riding in traffic and make sure you are driving defensively.
Purchase Roadside Assistance Coverage for Emergencies
Regardless of how well you maintain your motorcycle mechanical emergencies can still happen. Having roadside assistance coverage for your motorcycle insures that you will never be left stranded on the side of the road. Best Roadside Service is one of the few TOP RATED providers of Motorcycle roadside assistance. The motorcycle roadside assistance plans offered from Best Roadside Service provide all the traditional roadside assistance benefits for your motorcycle including; 24/7 coverage anywhere in the USA and Canada, emergency towing service via flatbed, battery jumpstart service, up to 3 gallons of fuel delivery ( gas is free!), and emergency personal assistance such as access to trip and routing services, VIP discounts for travel services and hotels, and concierge service to help you plan your next summer ride.
Perform these routine maintenance tasks, practice critical riding skills, and carefully evaluate road conditions before venturing out. Also, be sure to purchase a roadside plan for your motorcycle to provide you with peace of mind. By taking the time to prepare for the summer riding season you can ensure it is a safe and enjoyable one.