Before going on a road trip, you should make sure that the main parts of your motorcycle are in good shape. This is the only way to ride as safely as possible and extend the life of your vehicle. So, we’ll tell you what the most important things are that you should check on your motorcycle.
1. TIRES
You can’t be safe on the road if your tires are in bad shape, so you should pay extra attention to them. When you check the tires, you should look at their overall condition, the depth of the tread, and the pressure, which will change depending on how much weight is on the car and how fast it is going.
The minimum tread depth allowed by law is 1.6 millimeters, after which the tires must be replaced.
Tire pressure: Having the right tire pressure is important for your safety because it affects how well and how fast you can stop. To change the pressure, you have to follow the instructions from the manufacturer, which are in the vehicle manual. It’s important to check the tire pressure when the tires are cold, because if the air inside them warms up, the pressure will go up and the data will be wrong.
2. THE LIGHTS
It’s important to check the lights, especially if you’re going to be traveling at night. You need to make sure that all of your lights work right so that you don’t blind other drivers. You should also know that if the motorcycle is too heavy, the back end will sag and the lights will go up, which can make it hard to see. In this case, you need to change the height of the light or the suspension to make sure you can travel safely. Lastly, we suggest that you always bring extra lights with you in case something goes wrong on the trip.
Tread depth Before going on a trip, it’s very important to clean the rear-view mirrors well, since they are a key part of being able to see what’s behind you. Also, you have to set them up so they are in the right place and don’t move around.
Tire pressure: When you check the engine, you should make sure it isn’t leaking fluid or making strange sounds. It’s important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions and check the starter, air filters, oil, and coolant.
3. REAR VIEW MIRRORS
Before embarking on a trip, it is very important that you clean the rear-view mirrors well , since they are a key element of visibility. Also, you must regulate them to place them correctly and fix them so that they do not vibrate.
4. ENGINE
When checking the engine you should check that there are no fluid leaks or abnormal noises . It is important that you examine the starter, air filters, oil and coolant, according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Leaks: It’s important to make sure that the engine isn’t leaking any liquid. If you find any, you should take your car to a mechanic right away. You should also make sure the motor isn’t making any strange sounds.
Beginning: It’s important to check how the engine starts when it’s cold and when it’s hot. In both cases, the engine needs to respond right away, and the smoke coming out of the exhaust pipe needs to be clean.
Oil: One of the most important things to check is the oil level in the engine. If there is a problem, the motorcycle won’t work right and the chance of getting into an accident will go up. You should change the oil and filter every year or when you reach a certain number of miles. If you can, you should try to get a new one before your trip.
Coolant level: You can check the coolant level when it’s hot or cold, but always on level ground.
The air filter: You should always make sure the air filter is clean.
5. BRAKES
You should pay close attention to how much brake fluid there is and how clear it is. Also, you should check the cables, the channels, the discs, the drums, and the front and back brake pads. If any of these parts are worn, you will need to change them.
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6. TRANSMISSION
The chain needs a lot of care, so you should look at it every few kilometers and grease it often. Check to see if it has the tension that the manufacturer says it should have. Check the fluid level and make sure there are no leaks on a cardan drive motorcycle. Lastly, if your motorcycle has a belt drive, you should check that the tension is what the manufacturer says it should be and that the belt is in good shape.
7. ITV
Before going on a trip, you should make sure that all of your paperwork is in order. To do this, you must make sure that your ITV is still valid and that the sticker can be seen.
RECOMMENDATIONS
To make your trip even safer, the DGT recommends that you bring a puncture repair kit, a reflective vest to wear in case you break down or if the weather is bad, and spare lamps, since the agents could stop your motorcycle if one of its lights is burned out, which is dangerous for road safety.