5 Things to Check Before Every Motorcycle Ride 

A quick pre-ride inspection only takes a few minutes and can help improve your safety, prevent breakdowns, and keep your motorcycle performing at its best. 

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Riding a motorcycle is not just about putting on your helmet and hitting the road, it is also about taking care and maintaining your pride and joy to make sure it runs in pristine condition before going for a ride. It is quite an essential pre-caution especially before going for long rides. However, many riders tend to take this matter lightly.

Checking your motorcycle before going for a ride does not just make sure your motorcycle does not break down on you and leave you stranded by the side of the road, it also helps to improve you safety while being on the road.  It may look like a simple matter, but a quick pre-ride inspection can help to spot any small issues before they end up becoming bigger ones.

1. Check Your Tyres

Before every ride, take a quick look at your tyres. Tyres are what helps to make sure you motorcycle stays planted to the road. Check the tyre pressure and make sure it follows the recommended level in the owner’s manual. You should also look for any punctures, cracks, cuts, or uneven wear on the tyres.

Proper tyre pressure can help to improve your motorcycle’s handling, braking, and fuel efficiency. It is also important to check your tyres before riding in wet conditions, as good tyre condition helps to provide better grip on slippery surfaces.

2. Check Your Brakes

Your brakes are one of the most important parts of your motorcycle. It helps to make sure you are able to slow down or come to a complete stop. Before riding, test both the front and rear brakes to make sure they are working properly. The brake lever and pedal should also feel normal and responsive.

Pay attention to any unusual sounds, such as squeaking or grinding when braking. If you notice that the braking power feels weak or different from usual, it is best to have them checked before continuing your ride.

3. Check Your Engine Oil

Engine oil plays an important role in keeping your motorcycle’s engine components lubricated and running smoothly. Before riding, check the engine oil level according to the instructions in your owner’s manual.

Low or dirty engine oil can affect the engine’s performance and increase wear on internal components. Making it a habit to check your engine oil can help you spot potential problems early. This is especially important before going on a long ride.

4. Check Your Chain

The motorcycle chain is another component that should not be overlooked. Take a quick look at the chain and check for any excessive slack, rust, or dirt. You should also make sure that the chain has enough lubrication.

A loose or dry chain can affect power delivery and cause premature wear. Regularly checking and maintaining the chain is a simple habit that can help to keep your motorcycle running smoothly.

5. Check Your Lights and Signals

Before heading out, make sure all your motorcycle’s lights and signals are working properly. Check the headlight, brake light, turn signals, and horn.

Signals are always used when you are on the road to communicate with other road users and lights are always useful when having to ride at night or during poor weather. Being visible to other road users is just as important as being able to see the road ahead. A quick check before every ride can help to improve your safety on the road.

Conclusion

Performing pre-ride checks are definitely useful for spotting obvious problems. If there are any problems with your motorcycle, at least you are able to identify it beforehand and rather than finding out that your motorcycle has a problem while you are already stranded by the side of the road. Once you have identified any problems, you are able to get it taken care of by doing it yourself or bringing it to a mechanic.

If you are a daily rider or planning for a long-distance road trip and your motorcycle is already due for servicing, come and service your motorcycle at iMotorbike with our iMotorbike Express Service. Choose what needs to be serviced or what needs to be changed and our team of specialised mechanics will get your motorcycle running in pristine condition for your next ride.

Book an appointment today and get your motorcycle serviced with iMotorbike.