Spring adventures: motorcycle maintenance checklist

Spring check: hit the road in safety.

Now that spring weather is finally here, it’s time to get the wheels back rolling after a long winter break. However, before you enjoy the sunny weather and take your bike out for a spin, it’s important to make sure it’s ready to hit the road. Here’s a checklist to make your motorcycle ready to roll and ready for the new season. Let’s spring into action! 😉

Fully charged

First: check your battery! It’s one of the most important components of your motorcycle. Check for any signs of corrosion and make sure it is fully charged. If you didn’t use a battery charger during winter, you might have troubles getting the bike started. Using a battery charger will help you determine if your battery survived the long winter. If the battery loses capacity soon after being charged, you’ll need a new one. If the battery keeps its charge: you are good to go!

Rubber meets the road

Check the pressure of your tyres and make sure that the tread depth is within the recommended limits. The recommended tyre pressure is set by the manufacturer of your motorcycle. You can find the information in the manual or a sticker on the bike itself (often on the swingarm). Read all info on this question and others in our FAQ section.

If your tyres are damaged? Replace them!

Smooth operator

Old oil can become thick and gummy. Unless your bike had a maintenance including an oil change, just before winter, you may want to consider changing oil and the oil filter. Keep that engine protected!

Braking bad

Check the brake pads and replace them if necessary. You may want to check the brake fluid also and make sure it’s within the recommended limits. Slow but steady wins the race!

Filter out the bad

If you want to upgrade your motorcycle’s performance, you should clean or replace your air filter. Air flow matters!

Power up

Test the headlights, taillights, and signals to make sure they’re working properly. Look out for any damage on the wiring. You’ve got the power!

Working on the chain gang

If you didn’t give your chain that extra layer of spray or grease before winter, your chain could be rusty. But even if you did, the chain may have collected dust in that protecting layer of grease. Clean your chain with a steel brush, spray some chain lube on it. Go for a ride. Repeat. Now your chain is ready for the upcoming season. Don’t forget to check chain tension. Use the three-finger rule! Three fingers of free play is ok. More or less can be dangerous.

Heavy Fuel

Modern fuel contains bio ethanol. One of the problems with ethanol is that it binds moisture. This means that the amount of water in the E10 fuel can increase over time, which can cause corrosion in reservoirs of motorcycles that are inactive for a few months or longer. In general, the fuel is less performant. If you think your bike has been stationary for too long, drain the old fuel from the reservoir and replace it with fresh fuel. Feed your bike with some fresh juice!

! Warning !

If you’re unsure about any aspects about your motorcycle? Please seek advice from a professional mechanic. Two opinions are always better than one, so don’t hesitate to ask for help. Safety first!

Before you leave

Take your motorcycle for a short test ride so you make sure everything is working properly. Always wear proper protective gear, including a helmet, gloves, and a jacket! Better to be safe than sorry. Everything checked? Enjoy the ride!