Now that the weather is warming up, you might be ready to pull out your bike and hit the open road. We don’t blame you. After a long, cold winter, it’s time to feel the wind in your face as your tires eat up the highway.
Before you jump on your bike, make sure you take care of it and keep a few basic safety tips in mind, too.
Basic Maintenance Tips for Your Motorcycle
After a few weeks or months without riding, your bike is going to need some TLC before you hop on. Take care of any problems you find so your motorcycle is up and running as soon as you’re ready to get out on the road.
- Check the tire treads for wear.
- Keep the air pressure at a correct level so your tires have the right grip on the road.
- Look for dents, scratches, and other wheel damage that can impact the functionality of your bike.
- Inspect the brake pads and rotors and replace if needed.
- Top off the brake fluid so you have enough.
- If you didn’t remove your battery and keep it charged over the winter, you may need to get it recharged or replaced.
- Change the oil.
- Flush the coolant.
- Siphon off old gas and replace it with new.
- Flush the fuel system and replace the spark plugs if needed.
- Check your chain. It may need to be tightened, and you always want to keep your eyes open for rust.
Safety Tips While on Your Motorcycle
If it’s been a while since you’ve been on your bike, it’s easy to forget what it’s like out on the road. Make sure you stay safe for the first ride and all your rides this season.
Wear a helmet. This protects your brain from possible injury in an accident. Even better, add a face shield or protective eyewear in case of rocks, debris, and anything else that may fly at your face.
Wear appropriate clothes. You might like the feel of shorts and a t-shirt, but in an accident, you’ll regret it. Choose gloves, boots, and when possible, leather clothing. Second best are jeans and long-sleeve shirts, though they’re no match for the roadway in an accident, either.
Follow traffic rules. It’s bad enough when someone on four wheels is driving like a maniac. Don’t add to the chaos. You know they won’t see you (because they never do) so don’t weave in and out of traffic or speed. It’s an accident waiting to happen.
Watch everyone and drive defensively. Look multiple times before you pull out into traffic. Leave enough space between you and the vehicle in front of you. When in doubt, assume drivers in four-wheeled vehicles don’t see you, and let them go ahead of you.
Get a motorcycle insurance policy. Whether you’re in a collision or your bike gets stolen, a good North Carolina motorcycle insurance policy will be there to cover you. And yes, you could cause an accident, and you’ll want the liability coverage if you do.
While you’re getting your bike ready for the road, make sure you’re safe and protected, too. Contact Charlotte Insurance today for a free quote for a new motorcycle insurance policy.