As the months get warmer and the weather becomes less oppressive, motorcyclists everywhere start to bring their bikes out of the garage in anticipation of spring and summer riding. However, you can’t just hop on, twist the throttle and head out on a motorcycle that’s been sitting in storage for months! Your bike, like you, needs a little care to get it ready for riding once again. Hopefully you took the time to properly winterize it in the fall. Now, you’re going to essentially reverse that process and equip it for springtime.
This guide to de-winterizing your motorcycle by Bright Power Sports should get you on the right track. We’re in Lincoln Park, MI, so come by if you have any further questions!
Your first step will be to give your bike a thorough top-to-bottom inspection to ensure that no major repairs are needed You don’t want to ride on a motorcycle that’s got serious issues! Check for any damage that may have been sustained while your ride was in storage, including dents or scratches, rust, built-up grime or even infestations from animals. You’ll want to make sure the tailpipe is clear of debris and potential nesting creatures.
If anything seems amiss and you can’t address it easily at home, contact the Bright Power Sports service department so our mechanics can take a look for you.
Next, you’ll want to check the fluids in your engine. Oil will likely need to be replaced since it’s been sitting for a while. Check it by removing the dipstick, wiping it with a rag, re-inserting it and removing it again to check its color. If your oil is nice and smooth and amber-colored, you may be good to go. If, however, it’s sludgy and opaque, you’ll have to change it. Look for metallic shavings — these indicate that parts of your engine are grinding together and that needs a mechanic’s attention, too.
Check your brake fluid. Your bike may have either one or two reservoirs for this, at the front and rear. Be sure your bike is level and upright so the levels don’t look off when they’re not.
You’ll also want to take a look at the transmission fluid, which you can do by removing, wiping, inserting and removing its dipstick to get an accurate reading.
Your tires and brakes are two vital components of your bike that need to be in peak condition, or you risk having an accident when they fail on the road.
Check your tire pressure using a gauge and make sure it’s up to the manufacturer’s specifications. Don’t just look at them or kick them to see if they’re low! A gauge will give you an accurate reading. While you’re inflating them, you should check the treads to see that they’re not excessively worn and make sure that there are no embedded objects you might have missed in the fall.
As for your brakes, you’ll want to take your motorcycle on a short test ride around the block. Slowly leave the driveway and apply half-pressure to your brakes to make sure they’re engaging, then continue to apply pressure until you come to a stop. If you hear some squeaking, they may have some dust on them from sitting in storage. However, grinding and slipping indicate a serious issue, so take your bike into a mechanic if you feel this.
With a little preparatory work, your bike will be ready for spring riding in no time! Looking to trade in or upgrade your current motorcycle? Serving the greater Detroit region, our Lincoln Park dealership carries a wide array of new and used motorcycles for sale. Bright Power Sports proudly serves Livingston, Wayne and Oakland counties as well as Macomb, Michigan.
