The harsh winter is now thankfully behind us and for leisure riders it's close to the date to get your trusty motorbike out of mothballs and back on the road for a fantastic summer of motorbike riding.
Now is the time to rediscover how to ride your two-wheeled pride and joy; the anticipation of being able to ride the open road is bound to soon prove overwhelming, as the days get lighter and the weather improves dramatically.
So, as spring starts to get into full swing it's the ideal time to clean off the accumulated dirt and dust of winter storage and start the procedure towards getting back on the road.
Whether your motorbike is a recently purchased expensive manufacturer, a faithful old runabout or something in between it is important to ensure that everything is mechanically safe and sound before setting out on the open road again.
First, start with a thorough wash and polish to restore the bike to its former glory.
There's no safety benefit to be gained from doing that, but it will put you back in touch with your beautiful machine.
Check your tyres and if necessary inflate them to the recommended pressure; not only will your ride be safer it will also be more fuel efficient with correctly inflated tyres.
Next, perform a quick check for any oil leaks.
Before moving off ensure that all lights are operating correctly; headlight, brake lights and indicators are essential for safety and if any bulbs are faulty, replace them immediately.
Also, before taking to the public roads don't forget to ensure that your motorbike insurance is in order and that you haven't overlooked your insurance renewal during the winter months.
Then it's time to set off for a test ride to make sure that everything feels fine and operates according to the owner's manual.
Take it easy at first and get used to being back in the saddle before really opening the throttle.
Certainly ensure that your brakes are operating correctly at the very least! But, it's not just your motorbike that should be checked before summer biking begins.
The open road can be a dangerous place even for the most experienced biker and therefore protecting oneself is of paramount importance.
Make sure that your motorcycle helmet is still up to the job, is comfortable and offers full vision.
For example, any badly scraped or damaged visor or faceguard should be replaced with a new one.
What's more, ensuring that you have full body protection is also vital.
A spill at any speed can cause significant injury if not wearing appropriate riding leathers and hard-wearing biker's boots.
So, as well as preparing your bike, prepare yourself and be ready to have a great biking summer!
Now is the time to rediscover how to ride your two-wheeled pride and joy; the anticipation of being able to ride the open road is bound to soon prove overwhelming, as the days get lighter and the weather improves dramatically.
So, as spring starts to get into full swing it's the ideal time to clean off the accumulated dirt and dust of winter storage and start the procedure towards getting back on the road.
Whether your motorbike is a recently purchased expensive manufacturer, a faithful old runabout or something in between it is important to ensure that everything is mechanically safe and sound before setting out on the open road again.
First, start with a thorough wash and polish to restore the bike to its former glory.
There's no safety benefit to be gained from doing that, but it will put you back in touch with your beautiful machine.
Check your tyres and if necessary inflate them to the recommended pressure; not only will your ride be safer it will also be more fuel efficient with correctly inflated tyres.
Next, perform a quick check for any oil leaks.
Before moving off ensure that all lights are operating correctly; headlight, brake lights and indicators are essential for safety and if any bulbs are faulty, replace them immediately.
Also, before taking to the public roads don't forget to ensure that your motorbike insurance is in order and that you haven't overlooked your insurance renewal during the winter months.
Then it's time to set off for a test ride to make sure that everything feels fine and operates according to the owner's manual.
Take it easy at first and get used to being back in the saddle before really opening the throttle.
Certainly ensure that your brakes are operating correctly at the very least! But, it's not just your motorbike that should be checked before summer biking begins.
The open road can be a dangerous place even for the most experienced biker and therefore protecting oneself is of paramount importance.
Make sure that your motorcycle helmet is still up to the job, is comfortable and offers full vision.
For example, any badly scraped or damaged visor or faceguard should be replaced with a new one.
What's more, ensuring that you have full body protection is also vital.
A spill at any speed can cause significant injury if not wearing appropriate riding leathers and hard-wearing biker's boots.
So, as well as preparing your bike, prepare yourself and be ready to have a great biking summer!
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