#BIKE SAFETY CHECKLIST FULL#
#BIKE SAFETY CHECKLIST FREE#
#BIKE SAFETY CHECKLIST CRACK#

Have additional questions about motorcycle safety? Visit Law Tigers to get more information. If you are in an accident, you can strengthen your case by proving that you performed these inspections regularly. These inspections only take a few minutes, and they can mean the difference between a fun-filled ride and one that ends in tragedy. The Importance of Motorcycle Safety Inspections

#BIKE SAFETY CHECKLIST CRACK#

Even a superficial crack that seems cosmetic can affect the structural integrity of the helmet and diminish its protective capabilities in a crash.Īnother factor to consider is whether your clothing, gloves, and shoes fit properly, are comfortable, and allow for an adequate range of motion. Examine your helmet and make sure it’s not cracked, and you can see through the visor. The final step is to make sure that all of your gear is in top shape. If your bike uses transmission fluid, remember to check those levels as well. The most important fluids to check are engine oil, fork oil (which is necessary for lubrication), and brake fluid. Just like humans need to stay hydrated to survive, your motorcycle also relies on fluids to operate.

#BIKE SAFETY CHECKLIST FREE#

Take a quick look at your hoses to check that they’re connected properly and free from cracks. At worst, you could end up in an accident as you lose fluid or power from a faulty hose. Step 5: Examine Your HosesĪ leaking or detached hose can leave you stranded in the middle of nowhere.

#BIKE SAFETY CHECKLIST FULL#

Give your horn a quick honk to be sure it’s functional and audible.Īnd finally, while you’re here, check the rotation of the handlebars to ensure a full range of motion.

You can also take this opportunity to check all of your lights, including headlight and taillight, your turn signals, and your brake light. Turn the ignition key and examine the display to ensure everything that should light up does, and no warning lights appear. If you do notice some gunk, a simple baking soda solution can wipe things clean. Check the terminal cables to verify they’re firmly attached and make sure there’s no corrosion. Whether your bike is brand new or vintage, you’ll at least need to ensure the battery is in good working order. Step 3: Confirm Electrical Systems are a Go We also suggest testing your brakes (both front and rear) to ensure they work. If your brake pads had grooves in them when they were new (and most do), make sure that there is still evidence of a groove. Here, you’ll want to look at your brake pads to ensure they haven’t experienced excessive wear. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head, then it’s time to replace the tires. You can tell you’ve got enough tread by putting a penny head down in the tread’s grooves. Look for even wear and enough remaining tread. Next, check the tread to make sure you’ve got proper traction for the road. Make sure that the tires are inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended psi. There are a couple of things you should be looking for here. If anything needs to be repaired, make sure you handle those repairs before making any trips. Specifically, you might notice a crack in the frame, loose footpegs, or leaks. Step 1: Start with the Obviousĭo a 360 look around the bike and look for anything obvious that seems unsafe or out of place. We’ve outlined seven steps you should walk through to verify your motorcycle is road-ready. While you don’t necessarily have to be as comprehensive as an airline pilot, we highly recommend taking a close look at your bike before jumping on and going for a ride. Instead, we’re referring to the land vehicle equivalent of a pilot’s aircraft inspection. We’re not talking about a brief check to make sure you’ve got two inflated tires. Check the level of tubeless sealant in your tyresġ7.How often do you examine your motorcycle before you hit the open road? Before every single ride? Sometimes? Almost never? Ensure that your discs aren't rubbing on the calipersġ6.

Check your electronic shifting batteryġ5. Here are two of the best comments from a previous version of this article that might help you out.or just make you giggle! Cafe Wisdom: readers offer their advice on essential pre-ride checks Square taper cranks, in particular, need a surprising amount of torque you'll need a bigger torque wrench than the diddy one you use for your handlebars. However, if you have a square taper bottom bracket axle, periodically retightening the crank bolt can drive the crank up the axle so it eventually breaks.īest practice is to tighten the cranks properly in the first place, following the manufacturer's torque settings, then leave them alone. Losing a crank arm will ruin a ride, and potentially ruin the crank arm too, so some people think you should periodically tighten the main bottom bracket attachment bolts.

Bike safety checklist