Spring Hill Motorcycle Safety Evaluation
Topics: driving safety, motorcycle accident
Spring and summer are prime riding time for motorcycle owners. It’s also an important time to give yourself a refresher course on motorcycle safety. Spring Hill, FL is a beautiful place to ride motorcycles, from cruising along the Weeki Wachee Preserve or taking Route 19 up and down the coast, but before you leave your driveway, it’s essential to give your bike a full home inspection.
Initial Motorcyce Safety Check
The first part of any motorcycle safety inspection is by far the most enjoyable: you’re just going to walk around your bike taking a close look at it. This simple visual check will usually be enough to flag major problems. Check the ground for any leaked fluids, especially oil.
Motorcycle Brake and Clutch
Up next, check out your brake and clutch levers, making sure you’ve got smooth, reliable action and normal release. (Any problems here is a clear indication you shouldn’t be riding today!) Even if both levers work perfectly, you should still take the time to check the fluid levels for both your clutch and brake reservoirs.
Motorcycle Handlebars and Gas Tank
Two parts that are often overlooked in motorcycle safety checks are the handlebars and gas tank. Make sure you can turn your handlebars completely in both directions without hitting your gas tank or any other part of the bike. Open and close your gas tank to be sure there’s no damage and the seal is tight. Repeat this check on your oil cap.
Test Your Motorcycle Electronics
Now it’s time to turn your bike on and start testing your electronic systems. Turn signals, brake lights, headlights and all instrumentation should be working factory perfect. Test out your foot pedals to be sure everything is functioning normally and moving smoothly.
Dont Forget Your Motorcycle's Tires
Finish up with a careful look at your tires. First and foremost, make sure that they have not been parked in an oil spot. Motor oil will actually corrode and weaken the rubber on your tires, creating a dangerous situation. If your bike has been in storage, give them a close look for dry rot. If you’ve got new tires, bear in mind they will literally grow for the first 100 miles, so take easy rides and avoid any sharp turns.
It’s important to check your tire pressure in the garage. This is because tire pressure is temperature sensitive, and the best time to get an accurate reading is while those tires are still cold. Pressure is an invisible but crucial part of motorcycle safety, and the Spring Hill, FL sun will definitely distort what your pressure gauge is telling you! If you’ve got a new bike, or had your machine freshly tuned up, you should give your motorcycle about 100 miles of “easy” riding to make sure everything is running smoothly. Now granted, all of this might seem like a lot. Once you get the routine down, however, it will become second nature very quickly. It takes less than five minutes to do a proper motorcycle safety check before you head out to explore Spring Hill, FL…and it can literally save your life. So get familiar with each step, and ride safe every time!
