Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

In this day and age, using motorcycles for everyday commute has become a common scenario. However, not many individuals perform a routine check of their bike before heading out. 

A quick check might reveal a problem that you wouldn’t have noticed otherwise and save you from an accident. After all, it is better to find out if there’s anything wrong with the bike in the garage than on the road. It’s also a good idea to take a look at your bike after the ride to ensure the bike is fit for riding next time.

Here are a few small checks that you should perform regularly.

  1. The very first item on your checklist should be your number plate. It should be clearly visible and shouldn’t be smeared with dirt. Make sure it’s always in its prescribed place.
  2. You should check for oil and other fluid leaks after that. Engine and radiator should be checked for loss of lubricant. The exposed section of the forks should be checked for leakage. Also, try to grab and shake various parts of your bike to ensure they aren’t loose.
  3. Check the brake lever, throttle, and clutch lever for allowed free play. Make sure the brake lever activates the brake light before it starts to engage the cable. This is helpful in giving warning to people behind you on the road.
  4. Be careful while checking the brakes and pay attention to the lever tension. The lever or pedal shouldn’t keep moving after you hit the resistance point. If that happens, there’s probably a leak in the hydraulics, or the pads are worn out. Even though brake pads take a long time to wear out, you should check them for ridges and tear.If you feel there’s a problem with the brakes, take your motorcycle to the mechanic instead of just topping up brake fluid. If your brakes aren’t hydraulic, you should check the cable for wear and tear.
  5. Other things that you should check before riding are clutch and radiator coolant and fuel. You should look for signs of leakage in case of coolants and make sure you are fuelled up for the way.
  6. Have a look on the transmission system and check the chain tension. Take help from your manual to notice the length of slack on the chain guard. Inspect the front and rear sprocket for any wear or damage and look for any damage to the teeth.
  7. Temperature affects the pressure in tyres, and hence, you should regularly check tyre pressure. You should look at your manual or chain guard for recommended pressure in the tyres instead of relying on the mechanic. Get yourself a handy pressure monitor. Analog ones are better as the digital ones may lose calibration and give false reading sometime. Look at your tyres for wear and tear. Most tyres have wear indicators on them, but the general rule would be checking out the treads to see if a tread is 1.5 mm deep at the most worn-out place. Apart from looking for wear, also look for any foreign objects like nails etc. These objects might be dangerous and blow the tyre while riding.
  8. Another important check that you should perform on your tyres is to look for any signs of damage on the rims and on the spokes in spoked wheels. Spokes can be checked by hitting them lightly with a small wrench. A loose spoke will sound different and give you the chance to tighten it. While tightening a loose spoke, be careful and make sure you aren’t compensating for a dented rim.
  9. The next check should be focussed on the electrics of your bike. Starting with the ignition, check the headlight on high and low beam and the indicators on the front and back. Press and check the horn too. 

Last but not the least, check if your motorcycle insurance is in place, most importantly, you should have a comprehensive cover. Although a third-party motorcycle insurance coverage is mandatory in India, comprehensive motorcycle insurance is always a better option. Because it not only covers the loss/damage caused to the third-party but also covers damages caused to you and your bike. 

For anyone who uses their two-wheeler daily, comprehensive two-wheeler insurance is a must.

Conclusion:

Performing these checks regularly before heading out, looking at the bike thoroughly post riding and keeping yourself away from motorcycle myths, will ensure your bike’s safety and you will be able to enjoy a comfortable riding experience.

By darren

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