Getting Ready to Ride: Jason's Tips for Spring

As Seen in Thunder Road Magazine

 

 

 

 

 

Before you even think about taking your bike out this spring, you need to think about insurance. I provide up-to-date information on motorcycle laws and insurance by state on my website, www.motorcyclelawyermichigan.com. Here in Michigan, you are required to carry bodily injury coverage to ride legally on the roads. If the unthinkable happens and you wreck your bike, you'll need comprehensive coverage to get it repaired. The amount of coverage you need depends on a few different factors, so I recommend making an appointment with your insurance agent to discuss what you have and what you need for the upcoming season. Do this now, before you start getting your bike out of storage mode.

 

Once your insurance is taken care of, it's time to take care of your bike. Depending on how you prepped your motorcycle for winter storage, this could be as simple as checking your tires, wires, brakes, tanks, and lights. If you weren't able to do a lot of pre-storage maintenance, there are a few things you should definitely do or check before going for a ride. Did you change the oil and filter in the fall, before you put your bike to bed for winter? If not, you'll want to do so before taking the bike on the road. How's your battery? Give it a good once-over as well, looking for cracks, corrosion, or other damage, and making sure it's fully charged. What about the engine? Before and after you start your motorcycle, watch for fluid leaks and listen for anything out of the ordinary. Are your brakes ok? Check them to make sure they're working properly and not worn, preferably while still in your driveway… you don't want to find out they're not working while on the road. If you need to, get your bike in to a licensed expert for a full tune-up; it's worth doing now, and could help you avoid downtime during the really nice riding weather.

 

Don't ignore your tires. I know I talk about tires a lot, but they're so important and so under-appreciated, in my opinion, that they deserve their own paragraph. Obviously, Michigan winters are cold, and cold temperatures can be tough on tires. Cracks, flat spots, and other damage are possible, so go over your tires thoroughly to ensure they're in good shape. Get yourself a portable air tank so you can top up your tires at home, before you move your bike. Use an accurate tire gauge, and check your tire pressure when the tires are cold - it's not a bad idea to do this before every ride, especially when the temperatures drop to or below freezing at night. If you need a tire gauge, you can get one through my website. Tire pressure requirements will vary depending on the bike, the tire, the weather, or the load. Check your owner's manual for the ideal tire pressure range, and to learn when and why to change the pressure. Your tires can make all the difference in your ride; treat them right and you'll probably get a lot more out of your bike this season.

 

The last thing you need to get ready for the riding season is yourself. Believe it or not, even the most experienced riders can get a little rusty after a long winter with your bike in your garage. Start out small, doing shorter, local rides, and work your way up. Take a rider training course. Trust me, this is something I think every rider should do once in a while to brush up on their skills and learn new safety standards. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation has some great courses you can get out of Schoolcraft College, but they fill up fast; the sooner you register, the better. Before you go out, check your gear: wearing a helmet in Michigan is the rider's choice, but if you choose to wear one, make sure it meets the latest safety standards and it's not damaged. Same goes for the rest of your gear: check for wear and damage, and replace anything that could use updating. Good safety gear is a good investment, in my opinion. Lastly, get our Biker Card*, which provides you with freebies and discounts on products and services at over 100 vendors in Michigan. The card also contains potentially life-sustaining information for what to do in the event of the crash, so we hope every motorcyclist in Michigan will keep on in their wallet.

 

My final tip for getting ready to ride: wrap your head around it, and make sure you are watching for motorcycles every time you get on the road. And don't forget: May is Motorcycle Awareness Month. Be sure to get your lawn signs, bumper stickers, and spread the word via social media to help keep bikers safe. We have free motorcycle awareness materials available on our website: www.motorcyclelawyermichigan.com. Be safe and enjoy these first beautiful riding days of the season!

 

*The Motorcycle Lawyer’s Biker Card is not affiliated with the Michigan Thunder Run Ride Card Program.