Get Your Ride Ready

1. Start-Up Check: After a long winter, make sure your bike is ready to fire. Remove any rodent-blocking rags, reconnect the battery, and check simple things like the kill switch, fuel valve, and fuses. If it won’t start, charge the battery with a proper trickle charger and inspect for stale fuel or gummed-up carbs.

2. Tires & Driveline: Inspect your tires for wear, cracks, and air pressure. If they're borderline, order replacements early. Then check your chain or belt for wear, proper tension, and lube. Shaft drive? Make sure the gear oil is up to spec.

3. Safety Systems: Check brakes for pad wear, fluid condition, and cable health. Spin the wheels to feel for rough bearings and test the steering for notchiness. Lights, signals, and horn should all be working—replace fuses or bulbs as needed.

4. Engine Essentials: Clean or replace your air filter, top up coolant, and if needed, get a valve adjustment done before clocking big miles. Finish with a fresh oil and filter change unless you did it in the fall.

5. Final Touches: Tighten key bolts, check accessories, and confirm your registration and insurance are current. Once all systems are go, ease back into riding—because your bike’s not the only thing that’s a bit stiff after winter.