Motorcycle enthusiasts are hitting the roads as the longest and coldest winter in recent memory finds the door. Before turning a wheel on pavement, though, it's a good idea to consider the condition of your motorcycle - the ride - and yourself - the rider.
According to Brad Watson, senior instructor at Calgary Harley-Davidson Motorcycle School and all-around motorcycle enthusiast, "It's worth the time to tune up and check out."
When Watson says "tune up," he is referring to the motorcycle, and "check out" is all about the rider. Here are some of Watson's hints and tips to help a motorcyclist enjoy the first warm days on the open roads.
- Tune up the bike. If you had any problems before parking the machine last fall, now would be the time to rectify the situation, and make sure it's running properly.
"It's no fun to get out on your first ride only to be left at the side of the road -that doesn't make for a good first outing," Watson says.
- Inspect your tires. There's not a lot of tire contact patch between a motorcycle and the road, and ensuring proper inflation is critical.
"Under-inflated tires are the most common issue on a bike," Watson says. "You're not going to get as good traction, and that leads to a lack of control, and there's also the potential for serious tire failure."
Look at the tire side walls and tread for any signs of cracking. This is usually an age-related issue, and indicates that the rubber is hard. Regardless of how much tread is left, a cracked/hard tire does not offer much grip and should be swapped for fresh rubber.
- Perform a "walk-around." Watson suggests ensuring all controls, including clutch, brake and throttle move freely and snap back quickly when released.
- Inspect the battery. Make sure the posts are clean and the terminals are tight, and be sure the battery is fully charged. Watson says a dedicated trickle charger, such as one made by Battery Tender or Yuasa, does a good job of keeping a motorcycle battery in peak operating condition.
- Look in the fuel tank. If the gasoline was not treated with a conditioner or preservative in the fall when the motorcycle was put away, Watson says it's a good idea to "top it up with premium fuel, and go for a long ride to get the old stuff out of the system." Watson no longer advocates draining old gasoline, as there are too many hazards involved, including safe disposal.
- Horn works, try the lights. After getting the motorcycle started, perform an inspection to ensure all bulbs are functioning, including signals, brake and high and low beam. And do ensure the horn honks.
- Inspect your riding gear. With the motorcycle operational, Watson says it's also important to have a look at your protective clothing. Make sure your helmet is in good shape and hasn't been dropped or fallen during its time of storage. If a helmet has been dropped, it's usually a good idea to replace it simply because it's difficult to tell what kind of damage the shell has suffered.
"Also look at your leather jacket, and ensure all of the zippers and snaps are functioning OK," Watson adds. "And, speaking of gear, on the first rides of the season, be prepared for all kinds of weather and make sure you'll be warm enough."
- Check your skills, and your attitude. Obviously, during the winter, riding skills are going to become rusty. Watson suggests heading to a parking lot and refreshing skills, such as slow-speed U-turns, figure eights and swerving and braking techniques.
"Be safe and be aware of what's going on around you," Watson says. "Watch for road hazards, and look a good 12 seconds ahead. There are lots of potholes in the roads, and there's still plenty of gravel down. People shouldn't be pushing really hard, knowing that the corners and shoulders are still dirty.
"Car drivers need to be thinking about being on the road as well, and should be aware that motorcycles are out again."
Watson's final piece of advice is poignant. "Feel the sunshine on your face and enjoy the ride."
What's Next
- May 6: Today is International Female Ride Day -there are no organized activities -the intention, as the poster suggests, is to "Just Ride." Regardless of machine -street bike, dirt bike, moped or scooter -event instigator Vicki Gray says: "The focus here is to shine a spotlight on women who ride, and enhance awareness of female riders -I just want women to ride on that day." Visit www.motoress.com.
- May 13-14: Antique Car Auction at McMahon Stadium North Dome presented by Harold Heninger of Heninger Antique Auctions. Free parking and free admission to the public. Call Harold at 403-860-3244, or visit www.heningerantiqueauctions.ca for more info.
- June 14: Seventh Annual Valley Ridge Car Show in Van Gogh's Grill & Bar parking lot, 11245 Valley Ridge Drive N.W. (just off of the Trans Canada westbound). Starting at 7: 30 p.m., the event is billed as the most diverse car show in Calgary, with all types of cars welcome: exotic, hotrods, American muscle, imports, antique, vintage, classic, pickups, home-builts, customs, European. No entry fee, and cars from outside Valley Ridge are welcome. Cars "For Sale" also welcome. Enjoy Van Gogh's Car Show Pizza Special. For info call Jim Thornton at 403-287-9818.
Have an auto related item to share for the column or What's Next? Contact Greg Williams at 403-287-1067 or gregwilliams@shaw.ca. Visit his website at gregwilliams.ca.
According to Brad Watson, senior instructor at Calgary Harley-Davidson Motorcycle School and all-around motorcycle enthusiast, "It's worth the time to tune up and check out."
When Watson says "tune up," he is referring to the motorcycle, and "check out" is all about the rider. Here are some of Watson's hints and tips to help a motorcyclist enjoy the first warm days on the open roads.
- Tune up the bike. If you had any problems before parking the machine last fall, now would be the time to rectify the situation, and make sure it's running properly.
"It's no fun to get out on your first ride only to be left at the side of the road -that doesn't make for a good first outing," Watson says.
- Inspect your tires. There's not a lot of tire contact patch between a motorcycle and the road, and ensuring proper inflation is critical.
"Under-inflated tires are the most common issue on a bike," Watson says. "You're not going to get as good traction, and that leads to a lack of control, and there's also the potential for serious tire failure."
Look at the tire side walls and tread for any signs of cracking. This is usually an age-related issue, and indicates that the rubber is hard. Regardless of how much tread is left, a cracked/hard tire does not offer much grip and should be swapped for fresh rubber.
- Perform a "walk-around." Watson suggests ensuring all controls, including clutch, brake and throttle move freely and snap back quickly when released.
- Inspect the battery. Make sure the posts are clean and the terminals are tight, and be sure the battery is fully charged. Watson says a dedicated trickle charger, such as one made by Battery Tender or Yuasa, does a good job of keeping a motorcycle battery in peak operating condition.
- Look in the fuel tank. If the gasoline was not treated with a conditioner or preservative in the fall when the motorcycle was put away, Watson says it's a good idea to "top it up with premium fuel, and go for a long ride to get the old stuff out of the system." Watson no longer advocates draining old gasoline, as there are too many hazards involved, including safe disposal.
- Horn works, try the lights. After getting the motorcycle started, perform an inspection to ensure all bulbs are functioning, including signals, brake and high and low beam. And do ensure the horn honks.
- Inspect your riding gear. With the motorcycle operational, Watson says it's also important to have a look at your protective clothing. Make sure your helmet is in good shape and hasn't been dropped or fallen during its time of storage. If a helmet has been dropped, it's usually a good idea to replace it simply because it's difficult to tell what kind of damage the shell has suffered.
"Also look at your leather jacket, and ensure all of the zippers and snaps are functioning OK," Watson adds. "And, speaking of gear, on the first rides of the season, be prepared for all kinds of weather and make sure you'll be warm enough."
- Check your skills, and your attitude. Obviously, during the winter, riding skills are going to become rusty. Watson suggests heading to a parking lot and refreshing skills, such as slow-speed U-turns, figure eights and swerving and braking techniques.
"Be safe and be aware of what's going on around you," Watson says. "Watch for road hazards, and look a good 12 seconds ahead. There are lots of potholes in the roads, and there's still plenty of gravel down. People shouldn't be pushing really hard, knowing that the corners and shoulders are still dirty.
"Car drivers need to be thinking about being on the road as well, and should be aware that motorcycles are out again."
Watson's final piece of advice is poignant. "Feel the sunshine on your face and enjoy the ride."
What's Next
- May 6: Today is International Female Ride Day -there are no organized activities -the intention, as the poster suggests, is to "Just Ride." Regardless of machine -street bike, dirt bike, moped or scooter -event instigator Vicki Gray says: "The focus here is to shine a spotlight on women who ride, and enhance awareness of female riders -I just want women to ride on that day." Visit www.motoress.com.
- May 13-14: Antique Car Auction at McMahon Stadium North Dome presented by Harold Heninger of Heninger Antique Auctions. Free parking and free admission to the public. Call Harold at 403-860-3244, or visit www.heningerantiqueauctions.ca for more info.
- June 14: Seventh Annual Valley Ridge Car Show in Van Gogh's Grill & Bar parking lot, 11245 Valley Ridge Drive N.W. (just off of the Trans Canada westbound). Starting at 7: 30 p.m., the event is billed as the most diverse car show in Calgary, with all types of cars welcome: exotic, hotrods, American muscle, imports, antique, vintage, classic, pickups, home-builts, customs, European. No entry fee, and cars from outside Valley Ridge are welcome. Cars "For Sale" also welcome. Enjoy Van Gogh's Car Show Pizza Special. For info call Jim Thornton at 403-287-9818.
Have an auto related item to share for the column or What's Next? Contact Greg Williams at 403-287-1067 or gregwilliams@shaw.ca. Visit his website at gregwilliams.ca.
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