Tips to Prepare Your Motorcycle for Summer Riding
The long wait is finally over - spring’s here and summer’s just around the corner! It’s time to plan the motorcycle trips that you’ve been wanting to undertake for so long. However, before you take to the open road, spare some time to prepare your motorcycle. To help get you started, the experts at Pensacola Motorsports have rounded up this summer tune-up guide. Keep reading and visit us in Pensacola, Florida, where we also welcome our friends from Baldwin County, Alabama, and Santa Rosa County, Florida.
Get it Ready
Remove the bike’s cover and any blocks, which you may have used while storing your motorcycle for the winter. Remove the plugs from the exhaust pipes and wash away any coating you may have applied to protect the frame during storage.
Check the Fluids
Check the consistency and levels of all the fluids. You may want to change the fluids that have gone bad or top off the ones that need refilling. Check the fluid hose connections for leakages or cracks, and repair as needed.
Charge the Battery
Before you head out, you’ll also want to check the motorcycle’s battery. If you disconnected it before storing the bike, it’s probably in good condition. However, if you didn’t, you’ll need to give it a full charge. If the battery isn’t holding the charge, it will need to be replaced.
Check Other Important Components
You’ll want to check the essential components of your motorcycle, such as the tires, lights, and so on. Closely inspect the tires’ tread and air them up to the pressure recommended by the manufacturer. Also, check the turn signals, headlight, and brake lights.
Make sure to examine the fuel system and replace the air filters if they’re clogged. Additionally, you’ll want to inspect the suspension, steering, chain, sprockets, electrical system, and braking system before you undertake a trip.
Update Your Insurance Policy
Update your policy to include any customization you may have done on your motorcycle. You’ll want to have everything covered, right?
Summer Riding Tips
If you’re planning to undertake long-distance trips, plan your days in a way that allows avoiding being out in the sun for long periods of time. Try to ride your motorcycle in the morning or late afternoon when the weather is much more pleasant. Riding in the extreme afternoon heat can put you at risk of common conditions, such as sunburn, heat exhaustion, and heatstroke.
Keep yourself hydrated by consuming lots of fluids. Wear full-length clothing and comfortable footwear, goggles, and a well-fitting helmet.
Take frequent breaks and eat light and healthy meals to keep yourself alert while riding.
We hope you find these tips useful when you get your bike ready for summer riding. If you need more tips, connect with our experts by visiting us at Pensacola Motorsports. We have a wide collection of motorcycles for sale that we can show you. We are in Pensacola, Florida, and happy to serve our friends from Baldwin County, Alabama, and Santa Rosa County, Florida.