Everyone should own a motorcycle. Not as your primary vehicle, but nothing beats a bike as a weekend plaything. Getting out of the cage and feeling the raw power as you're rolling along a scenic back road with the wind in your face and nothing on your mind.
So, you took our advice on what to take care of when buying a motorcycle, but now that you've owned one for a while, what's next? Here are four things that every motorcycle owner should check after the first year of ownership.
1. General Maintenance
A quick check of key vehicle components will keep your bike on the road for years to come. Replacing worn parts is easily done by hand (and seriously, if you don’t know how, it’s time to learn), but taking your bike to the dealer for regular maintenance—while not cheap—can save you from having to do expensive repairs down the road, both literally and figuratively.
A quick check of the following components will ensure that you and your bike live happily ever after.
- Chain
- Sprockets
- Tires
- Turn signals
- Battery & leads
- Suspension
- Steering head
- Maintenance bulletins or advisories from your local bike shop
A quick visual inspection should be done often, but give your bike a more thorough, yearly inspection to check for problems that might be hiding just below the surface.
2. Insurance Quotes
After your first year of ownership, it might be time to double check you're getting the best rate on your motorcycle insurance by shopping around. A quote only takes a few minutes, and ensures that you're getting the best coverage at the lowest rates. It's certainly worth your time to check at least once a year.
3. Your Local Laws and Guidelines
Motorcycle laws change all the time, and it's best if you stay on top of them to avoid costly tickets, court costs, or loss of your motorcycle license. Just a few years ago, a buddy of mine was ticketed for not wearing a helmet, in a state where not wearing a helmet was completely legal... or, at least it was when he bought the bike.
Other examples of constant law changes include noise ordinance violations for loud bikes (they just added one last year to my city, and guys are getting pulled over left and right for loud pipes), use of additional safety gear, and additional license or safety class requirements. Do your diligence once each year and ensure that you're on the right side of the motorcycle laws.
4. Safety Equipment
Hopefully you haven't had to test its effectiveness in year one, but it's always worth checking to ensure that your safety gear is in top condition. A helmet with just a few scratches or nicks can decrease the strength of the core by up to 50%. Are your boots free of holes, with plenty of tread, and a sole that's in good shape? If you wear a jacket or chaps are they free of rips and have they been treated (if needed) with the proper leather treatment in the last year?
It's easy to overlook the value of safety equipment, especially since you'll (hopefully) never have to use it. But it's definitely worth a few minutes every 365 days to check it out.
Owning a motorcycle is an amazing experience, and there’s nothing like riding a bike, especially when you’re taking every precaution to stay safe and avoid accidents.
Comments
Post a Comment