Tips For A Great Motorcycle Season

Spring is here!  Let's get out and ride!  You've had that bike parked in the garage or storage for the last 5 months or so and you are itchin' to get out and hit the road.  Riding is a fun hobby, and a great mode of transportation (saves a ton of gas).  But before you crack the throttle and let her rip, how about I share a few tips with you that I've learned in my years of riding.

Tires. You've only got two wheels.  Make sure you have good rubber on both of them and that there is no signs of aging or excessive cracking.  New riders often make the mistake of assuming their motorcycle tires will last as long as a car's tires.  Not even close!  I average about 8-9,000 miles before I need a new rear tire, and about 15,000 for the front.

Regular Maintenance. Every bike is different and requires different maintenance.  Here's a few things they all need checked periodically:

• Oil and filter changes
• Air filter checked and changed
• final drive adjustments (chain lubes, belt adjustments, shaft oil)
• spark plugs
• lights & horn.  You at least need an operating headlight and tailight and a horn to be street legal.  Turn signals are always a good idea too.
• Brakes.  We like to stop our motorcycles when we need to, and quickly.
• Cables.  Check all the control cables for wear.  Take it from me.  When you are in rush hour traffic on 494 in the south Twin Cities, it really, really sucks when you're clutch cable breaks.  It was a good learning experience.

• Check the nuts and bolts on your motorcycle frame to make sure they are tight.  It doesn't take long and it will help identify any problems. Bikes vibrate and lots of times will shake parts right off.  My old yamaha I first learned to ride on had a habit of shaking the exhaust pipes loose.

Remember also that people aren't yet accustomed to looking for motorcycles in early spring. It's been a long time since bikes have been  on the road and people driving cars need about a month to remember to be extra careful.  Always assume you are invisible. If you drive like other motorists can't see you, you will be better prepared to react to their mistakes.

Wear the proper gear. That includes a helmet.  If you don't wear a helmet you are asking for trouble.  I personally know people who have died from an injury that a helmet would have saved their life.  And when you are riding, remember to wear long pants and good footwear (not flip flops).  I'm talking about the stupid young guys who ride around with a pair of shorts on and sandles.   I was that kid in college and I got a nice nasty burn scar on my leg as a lesson.  I've been in a motorcycle accident.  I was wearing shorts, no helmet, and had bad rubber on my tires.  A car pulled out in front of me while it was raining.  I hit the brakes and the rear tire completely washed out.  I hit the pavement.   The bike landed on top of me burning my leg.  I had some road rash that a pair of jeans probably would have prevented.  Thank God that I wasn't hurt worse.  Since that day I've always wore the proper gear and you should too.

At the end of the season I'll give you some tips for storing your motorcycle so next year she'll start right up.

Care to add to the list?  I'd love to hear your suggestions.  I'm sure I missed a few things.