Motorcycle Pre-Ride Inspections
No matter where you’re headed, every journey you take on your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle should start with a pre-ride inspection. For starters, it doesn’t take too long and it ensures you’ll have a smooth, safe experience. Take the time to look your bike over and confirm that everything is in working order. In the event that you spot an issue during your inspection, you’ll want to address it before you hit the road. If you need assistance with parts or service, stop by your local Harley dealer for help.
Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson® is located near Corvallis, Portland, Medford, and Salem. If you’re still in the market for a new bike, we’d be happy to show you our selection of Harley-Davidson® motorcycles for sale.
Tires
A good place to start your pre-ride inspection is with the tires. Most of this will be preventative, but it’s an important step because it allows you to catch problems before they become a big issue while you’re riding, like a blowout or loss of traction. You’ll want to ensure your tires are correctly inflated as this plays a huge role in preventative tire care. It also helps better distribute the forces placed on your tread, acceleration, and braking due to the weight of your bike.
The best way to handle this is with a tire pressure gauge. Always refer to your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle owner’s manual for the recommended psi. You should make it a point to check the tire pressure first thing in the morning as this is when they’re cold and you’ll receive the most accurate reading.
Fluids
Another essential step in your pre-ride inspection is checking your fluid levels. You need to make sure you have the right amount of fluid and that it’s the right color and consistency, too. Check your engine oil with a dipstick. You’ll remove it, wipe it off, re-insert it, and then check it. The oil should fall at the correct spot on the dipstick that indicates there’s enough fluid. Your oil should also be a golden color, not dark brown or black.
As far as brake fluid is concerned, you always want to check that there’s enough in the reservoir. Some bikes have both a front and back reserve for brake fluid, so be sure to check both of them on your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle if this applies to you.
It’s good practice to top off your fuel tank before you head out for a ride. You’ll be in good shape if you add more fuel than you think you need. After all, you never know what’s going to happen on the road, so it’s better to have more than you need as opposed to not having enough.
Brakes, Clutch, & Throttle
You’ll need to go for a short ride to check the status of your brakes, clutch, and throttle. Don’t head for the highway before you confirm everything is working properly. Go for a short ride around a low-traffic area to test these out. When you test the brakes, be on the lookout for grinding, squealing, or vibrations. These abnormalities could indicate a bigger problem that needs addressing. For the throttle, check to see that it’s fully closing and that your Harley-Davidson® motorcycle doesn’t idle when it shouldn’t. When you test the clutch, be on alert for any grinding or roughness.
Lights
Your lights are just as important as the other components of your bike. Confirm that they all function properly and aren’t in need of a replacement. You should be checking the brake lights, turn signals and headlights. In addition to functionality, all of your lights need to be bright and visible. Check the lenses and wipe away any mud or dirt that might be stuck.
You’re officially ready to ride! As we mentioned earlier, your local Harley dealer is here to help with any parts or service you might need. Give us a call or visit us at Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson® today! If you’re still shopping for the perfect bike, you’ll be pleased with our wide variety of Harley-Davidson® motorcycles for sale. You’ll find us located near Corvallis, Portland, Medford, and Salem.