My preparations for the motorcycling season

Rukapopi

Registered user
Joined
May 21, 2026
Messages
3
Reaction score
1
Location
poland
Here’s my checklist for getting my motorcycle ready for the season

Tires
I check not only the tread but also the overall condition of the tires. Even if the tires are almost new, it’s still best to inspect them carefully.

Brakes
I always check the brake system:
brake fluid level
fluid color
pad and rotor wear

Battery
I check the charge level and recharge if necessary. I also clean the terminals to ensure they are clean and securely fastened.

Suspension
I inspect the front fork and rear shock absorber for leaks, and check the wheel bearings, play, and unusual noises.

Oil and fluids
I change the engine oil. I also check other technical fluids.

Chain
I clean, lubricate, and adjust the tension.

Appearance and protective film
I decided to freshen up the appearance a bit. I replaced the protective film on the tank because it already had scratches and chips.
I didn’t do anything drastic, but the bike now looks much fresher. I ordered it from a company I found online.
If anyone’s interested, here’s the result and the link:
w-inkco.com

MX Graphics - W-Ink Graphics

Winner's Ink Graphics - Full free customization of the graphics kit.Free worldwide shipping. Premium quality materials. MX Graphics for you.
w-inkco.com w-inkco.com


Overall, the prep wasn’t too difficult, but with this checklist, I’m starting the season feeling much more at ease.

Question for you:
How do you prepare your motorcycles?
What do you look for first when buying a motorcycle?
How do you improve the appearance of your motorcycle? Or maybe you prefer a simple yet stylish look?
Perhaps you have some must-haves of your own that should be added? I’d love to read your answers and hear about your experiences!
 
Bravo said:
This is a wind up innit?
Click to expand...
Not at all.
I’ve never hibernated a bike and then had to get it back on the road so was curious what defines the time for those that do .
Do you wait until it turns cold or is it a set date ?
We don’t have roads salted here except for once in a blue moon and for me , you can’t beat a nice ride in mid winter for a coffee on a nice day .
I even got my Wing serviced this January then took it to Brittany for a few days with temps down to -4.
But if you’ve got the right kit then why not ? I couldn’t not ride for 4/5 months of the year or however long the seasonal boys hibernate for .
 
Rukapopi said:
Question for you:
1. How do you prepare your motorcycles?
2. What do you look for first when buying a motorcycle?
3. How do you improve the appearance of your motorcycle? Or maybe you prefer a simple yet stylish look?
4. Perhaps you have some must-haves of your own that should be added? I’d love to read your answers and hear about your experiences!
Click to expand...
My bike season starts, when I can be bothered to wrap up with clothing suitable for a full days ride, that is mostly after snow has fully dissipated, roads are salt free, and dry.
Start of my season for touring is before any school holidays, and before the vast amount of tourists enter the affray of finding somewhere safe to park up for the night. Empty roads equals full enjoyment.

1. Similar to yourself, a full inspection before any ride, every time, may take 1 hour but time is saved if you find a nail or tack in a tyre before your journey.
2. A Bargain...has it been Stolen or damaged prior to the sale.
3. Cleaned paintwork, protected with a good polish after a bath and blow dry.
4. Must have the best fuel recommended by bike manufacturers, E5 instead of E10 example, whenever possible. Sensible riding, smooth and gentle, treat machine with Love and Care, park in an area where you can always see your bike glisten back at you (perhaps a wee bit too far there).......but I'm sure many will do this as well. :D
 
Last edited:
Mine does'nt use much sat in the garage; and i don't have a season to get prepared for;; saying that our new Polish member seems very keen on his check list so fair plays to him; it never hurts to be on top of the job.
 
HxH said:
My bike season starts, when I can be bothered to wrap up with clothing suitable for a full days ride, that is mostly after snow has fully dissipated, roads are salt free, and dry.
Start of my season for touring is before any school holidays, and before the vast amount of tourists enter the affray of finding somewhere safe to park up for the night. Empty roads equals full enjoyment.

1. Similar to yourself, a full inspection before any ride, every time, may take 1 hour but time is saved if you find a nail or tack in a tyre before your journey.
2. A Bargain...has it been Stolen or damaged prior to the sale.
3. Cleaned paintwork, protected with a good polish after a bath and blow dry.
4. Must have the best fuel recommended by bike manufacturers, E5 instead of E10 example, whenever possible. Sensible riding, smooth and gentle, treat machine with Love and Care, park in an area where you can always see your bike glisten back at you (perhaps a wee bit too far there).......but I'm sure many will do this as well. :D
Click to expand...
The blower is a must if your using the bike on salty rds;; a quick hose down and a blast with the blower as soon as you get back will take care of all the little knooks and crannies that can make your ride look shit in no time if left. (y)Screenshot_20260601-143946.jpgScreenshot_20260601-143902.jpg
 
Last edited:
I am also a year round rider but in the last years the idea of getting the thing out of the garage, kitting up for the cold and riding around the incredibly boring part of Holland that I live in is no longer appealing. So my season starts around mid April and goes until end of October. Actually in holland there is a kind of season which kicks off with the first public holiday in May and then the bikers are out in full weather permitting

An old pal of mine who is a surgeon always makes the joke that donor season starts in May due to all the fatalities. In my area alone there were 3 last week…😱😱
 
While I appreciate that the weather in your particular country of residence plays a big part in when you can ride through the year as far as I am concerned the ‘riding season’ starts on January 1st and ends on December 31st each year. The number of layers under the bike jacket can vary, the frequency of getting out can reduce, and the length of the ride might be shorter, but riding will still be happening.
 
Riding is dependant on where you live, and the safety of the roads you would be traveling on, I never fancied ice skating with a motorcycle, even with off road tyres with spikes in them.
Of course I could always make something fit, I suppose :D

snow plow.jpg
 
What is a year round motorcyclist? To my mind, that is someone who uses their motorcycle, if not every day, then on the overwhelming majority of days and irrespective of the weather over an extended period. The best example that springs to mind is someone who (by choice or necessity) commutes a decent distance to work each day.

There is a world of difference between that fellow and someone who takes their bike out in December or January or February only as they see the weather is half decent and they can go out for an hour or two, but won’t have gone out in June as it was peeing down at home.

As to the rest of ‘season’, you only need to look at this forum’s increasing number of posts in the travel section as spring approaches and the steady reduction through autumn, to know that seasonal riding is alive and well in the UK.

:beerjug:
 
Proper riding for fun starts on 1st May and finishes on 31st October for me.
The scooter is used mainly for local trips with the occasional longer trip from 1st November to 30th April.
 
Wapping said:
The best example that springs to mind is someone who (by choice or necessity) commutes a decent distance to work each day.
Click to expand...

As scooters are now acceptable (in many quarters) as motorcycles, I guess the ultimate ‘All year round’ bikers are the Uber delivery scooter’ists. Out in all weathers and at all times of the day or night. Why? Because if they aren’t they don’t get paid.
 
Inspect bike for an hour prior to riding it.

Blimey.

An aircraft walk round takes about 3 minutes.

Bike - Tyres -Oil - Fuel - Go


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
You must log in or register to reply here.


Back
Top Bottom