Motorcycle Pre-Trip Checklist
Now that summer is here, motorcyclists everywhere are itching to hop on their bikes and hit the road. You’re probably one of them! But before you go, it’s wise to take stock of the condition of your motorcycle and make sure it’s in good shape. You don’t want to suffer a breakdown in the middle of an unfamiliar highway and need to call for a mechanic in the middle of a pleasant ride, after all! Not only are breakdowns inconvenient, but they can also be extremely dangerous.
This pre-trip checklist assembled by your friends at Barnes Harley-Davidson Kamloops, serving British Columbia, will help you get on the road in safety and confidence. While you can’t prevent every single mechanical issue, you can do several tasks that will significantly reduce your risk of having a breakdown of some type on the road.
Tires
Never ride on bad tires! Make sure they’re aired up and in good condition before every trip. Use a tire pressure gauge to check the pressure on both and inflate them to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure levels as needed. While you’re down there, examine the tread depth. Bald spots, low tread, embedded objects and cracks in the sidewalls all spell potential disaster. If your tires are in bad shape, it’s best to delay your ride and get them replaced.
Brakes, Throttle & Clutch
Check your brake discs to see whether they have divots or grooves in them. You want shiny discs and handles that move without much resistance. You’ll need to take a slow ride around the block to adequately test your brakes. Apply pressure slowly, further ahead of the stop sign or corner than you typically would do. Feel for vibrations and listen for any squealing as you add more pressure. Any weird sounds or difficulty in stopping could mean a trip to the mechanic is in order. The Barnes Harley-Davidson Kamloops dealership has a service department, so get in touch with us if you need professional attention on your Harley bike!
Test the throttle while you do this same test ride. If it operates with difficulty or fails to close, this generally presents as idling at high speeds while it’s not in gear. If you can’t switch gears easily or you feel grinding as you do, then this may mean that your clutch isn’t engaging completely.
Fluids
Your bike contains a number of fluids that allow it to run correctly. First, make sure your tank is full of gas before you go! You may think half a tank of gas is sufficient, but you never know when your route will change, forcing you to ride miles out of your way due to construction or road closure or weather conditions.
Next, check the oil as you would on your passenger car or truck. Remove the dipstick, wipe it with a clean towel, insert it again and remove it once more. Check the color and consistency: if your oil flows smoothly and is reasonably clear, simply top it off and you’re good to go. If it’s sludgy, you need an oil change. Replace the oil filter at the same time. If you find metal shavings in the oil, this also merits a trip to the shop, since it means that parts of your engine may be grinding together.
Your brake fluid is easy to check; simply look into each reservoir at the front and rear of your motorcycle. Refill these with more brake fluid as needed.
Finally, check your coolant level and top it off if it seems low. Ensure that the radiator cap is tightly sealed after you refill it. If you find pooling fluids under your bike when it’s parked, this may mean you have a radiator leak.
Following this checklist should make inspecting your Harley motorcycle a breeze, although there are always more steps you can take to ensure a safe ride. If you’re seeking Harley bikes for sale, visit our Kamloops dealership! We carry a wide selection of new and used motorcycles for sale, as well as motorclothes for riding safely and in style. Barnes Harley-Davidson Kamloops serves the cities of Kelowna and Vernon, BC, as well as Calgary, AB.