Motorcycle Checklist Before A Cross Country Trip

Before you head out on a long road trip, you need to make sure your motorcycle is in good shape. Remember, this is not a simple afternoon trip. You're going to be on the road, far away from home, and you don't want to end up stranded on some desolate stretch at night. In order to avoid this you should do a prep check of some key areas of your ride. Below is a list of what you need to look at.

Tires

You're not driving a car where you can keep a spare in the trunk, so you need to be sure that your tires are in good shape. So, look to see if the treads are too worn down. You might not have noticed it when you went for an afternoon ride some weekend, but when you're out on the open road doing hundred of miles, it can be a serious issue. If your treads are fine, then you should next move on to making sure the tires are under the correct amount of pressure. You should check with the manual and then make sure you have inflated the tires to exactly the correct PSI.

Brake Pads and Brake Lines

This is one area that you need to be extra diligent about. If your brake pads are worn too thin, then you risk having bad stopping power, which can be deadly on the open road. If you're not mechanically inclined, then you should bring the bike in to your local mechanic. They will be able to examine the brake pads and brake lines. Any leak or crack in the brake lines needs to be treated immediately. Even a small crack that does not yet leak brake fluid can potentially worsen while out on the road and cause a complete loss of power.

Filters and Fluids

You should change the air filter and also make sure you have topped up the various fluids. This means you need to check the transmission fluid, the radiator fluid, and the clutch fluid.

Battery

Lastly, don't forget to check your motorcycle battery. You should first make sure that the connections are clean and secure. If you notice any corrosion around the terminals, then it's a sign you need a new battery. Even if the terminals are in good shape, you should still check the battery's health. You need to have a voltmeter to check the voltage. If the voltage is under 9.5, then you need a new battery.


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