How was that again? Reconnect the battery, put fuel in the tank and go? You are not the only one who is a bit unsure about what to do at the beginning of the season. But of course you can do a few things yourself to ensure that your start to the motorcycle year is smooth and that your valuable bike remains as safe and as chic as it is. Here our professionals tell you how to do it!
Any questions? Of course you are always welcome to contact us. Our team is there for you during the usual opening hours by phone and in the store, by email we are of course available 24/7.
Short checklist for your bike
Battery: Are all terminals tight? Is the voltage between 12.2 and 12.5 volts? Ideally, you had the battery at the trickle charge. Then everything is easy!
Check the electrical system: Are all the lights working and the horn too? What do the indicator lights in the cockpit say?
Tires: How is the tread depth of your rubber (at least 1.6 mm), how worn are the sidewalls? Are there nails, shards ect in the tire? What about the tire pressure? How old are the tires? Check the DOT number stamped on the tires.
Check fluids: This includes the oil level, brake fluid and coolant. Please follow the manufacturer’s instructions and change the oil and oil filter once more rather than once too little.
Is the chassis clean? Or can you see an oil film on the fork? Are there rust spots? The latter can possibly be polished away. The oil film indicates damaged oil seals. These must be replaced in good time. Is the engine sweating somewhere? Then you need to think about replacing the seals.
Brake: Shine a flashlight into the slot between the disc and the brake pad and check the wear marks. It’s better not to experiment here. If in doubt, replace the pads and discs!
Everything clear so far? Fine. Then nothing stands in the way of your kick-off. Or? What is actually with yourself?
Back on the Road
Before you hit back the road, it’s best to check your own gear. Helmet, boots and your leather clothes have hopefully been cleaned and treated with care products. You haven’t? Then you should do it now. If brushing is not enough, then water and detergent must be used. And then it needs patience to dry – do not put on the heater! Afterwards, the leather is happy about a (sparing!) portion of grease or oil.
You should pay special attention to the helmet. Visor and lenses should be free of scratches. Otherwise replace them! Does the closure still work perfectly? This can be vital. If the lining is removable, then wash it with a mild detergent and dry it properly. Otherwise treat yourself to a special helmet padding cleaner. You can also use it in between, if it was hot under the marble in the summer.
Some winter fat? Are your clothes pinching? Then consider buying new pants. It is extremely important that you can move freely on the bike. The same applies, of course, the leather jacket or textile jacket and gloves.