Prepping Your Motorcycle for the Spring
Now that spring is here, motorcyclists all across the state are going into the garage and removing those dusty covers from their trusty bikes. If you’re one of them, you may be itching to hop on and go for a ride, but hold your horses! You’re going to want to give your bike a little attention before you strap on that helmet and twist the throttle.
Altus Motorsports here in southwestern Oklahoma is your Sooner State motorcycle dealer. Read on to learn more about what you should do to wake up your bike and get it all ready for spring riding!
Check For Pests
One very common issue for any bike that’s been placed in storage is pest infestation. Little critters like bugs and rodents that seek warmth and shelter may have invaded your bike over the wintertime, so you’ll need to make sure your exhaust pipe, your cover and storage compartments are free of evidence of pest infestation.
Wash Your Bike
Even with a cover on it, it’s very likely that your bike has gotten a little grungy over the winter. You may also have not had time to wash it in the fall. Either way, give your bike a good rinse and scrub now, then apply protective polish to keep it shiny and shielded from sun and weather damage while you’re riding it.
Top Off Your Fluids
Before you stored your bike, you might have changed the oil and added stabilizer to your fuel. Now is the time to inspect that oil and make sure it’s still good to go. Remove the dipstick, wipe it on a soft cloth or paper towel, reinsert it and remove it again to check color and consistency. Clear, runny oil is good to go and just needs topping off. Sludgy, opaque oil is dirty and needs a change. If you didn’t change the oil and air filters in the fall, do this now.
You should also drain your tank’s fuel and add fresh, clean gasoline. Make sure you get a fuel that is suitable for your particular bike. High-ethanol fuels are commonplace for cars and trucks, but may not be the best option for your motorcycle. You can check your owner’s manual to see what the manufacturer recommends.
Inspect your brake fluid reservoirs (you may have one or two) while the bike is upright. Your fluid should be up to the suggested level. If not, top it off now. A bike can’t run well and may become severely damaged without enough brake fluid!
Check Your Tires
It’s very likely that the pressure in your tires has gone down since you put your bike into storage. Use a tire-pressure gauge to check the front and rear tires now. Compare this psi level to the recommendation on your tire’s sidewall or to the owner’s manual and air up your tires to the correct levels. While you’re down there, make sure that your tires are in good condition. This means no bald patches, no signs of uneven wear and no embedded objects. You should absolutely never ride on bad or excessively worn tires.
While these aren’t the only steps you’ll want to take, they’re a good place to start! You can also peruse your owner’s manual to see what else your bike’s manufacturer suggests you do. Remember: if your bike could use the tender loving care of a professional mechanic, you’ll want to get in touch with our motorsport service department so that we can schedule you an appointment to bring in your motorcycle. We’ll help you get it all ready to go for the spring.
Still seeking a bike? Come see us at our dealership in Altus, Oklahoma, to take a look at our wide array of new and used motorcycles for sale. We offer financing options if you need assistance with your purchase. Altus Motorsports proudly serves the greater Amarillo, Texas, metropolitan area, along with all of our southwestern Oklahoma customers.