Hot Wheels: 3 Steps That Will Ensure Your Motorcycle Is Ready For Spring
Winter is finally over! As the weather warms and the sun spends more time in the sky each day, you may be finding yourself itching to get back on your bike. Unfortunately, there are some basic maintenance tasks you have to take care of before your motorcycle is road-ready. Whether you just picked it up from your region's premier motorcycle dealers last year or have been bonding with the same bike for five years, the following three steps will ensure that your motorcycling adventures can begin as soon as possible.
- Fuel: Stale gasoline can wreak havoc on stored vehicles, so it's vital that your fuel system be the very first thing you check. Because gas deteriorates quite quickly, a few months in storage will be enough time for the more combustible elements to evaporate; this can cause your bike to run rough (or not at all). Many sportbikes have high compression engines, in which old fuel can cause even bigger problems. If your gas reacts with oxygen, it can create varnish deposits which can clog lines, filters, and jets or injectors. Drain your tank and refill it with fresh high-octane fuel to avoid these issues.
- Battery: When a vehicle sits all winter long, it isn't uncommon for the battery to go dead. If you were unable to keep yours on a trickle charger, your odds of encountering this problem are extremely high. To understand the state of yours, hook it up to a charger; if nothing happens, your battery is most likely too far gone to be revived. You should purchase a trickle charger for next winter, and rely on your battery backup for the first few rides in spring while you wait for your replacement to arrive.
- Tires: Technically speaking, your tires should be checked before every ride. Because only a few square inches of rubber stands between hundreds of pounds of metal (and you) and the road, it's vital that they're in good shape. Be conscious of flat-spotting; bring your tire pressure up to spec, and examine the wear. If you have any concerns, before the season really starts is the best time to replace your tires. Don't try to squeeze a few more miles out of them; it simply isn't worth the risk.
It's estimated that there are 8.4 million motorcycles registered in the United States. If you count yourself among these ranks, you know how important routine motorcycle maintenance is; from motorcycle equipment to the engine itself, the best way to get the most out of your biking investment is simply to care for it. No more excuses; follow the above steps, and you'll be tearing up the asphalt in no time.
Nelson's Speed Shop has everything a budding adventurer needs, from motorcycle equipment to dirt bikes and ATVs. Give us a call at (616) 754-9185 today, and discover just how amazing out motorcycle equipment really is.