Care, maintenance and acclimatization
How to get your motorcycle ready for spring
At the beginning of the motorcycle season, you should thoroughly service your two-wheeler (symbol photo)
© Panthermedia / Imago Images
With the rising temperatures and the sunny days, the motorcycle season is now starting. And that should start with a spring check for road safety. Read here how to get your motorbike ready for spring and how to be safe on the road.
Before you get on your motorcycle and set off, you should give your machine a thorough check-up. Because during the winter months, the motorcycle may have developed a weak point in one place or another or even suffered damage.
In order not to take any risks, you should check the function of the lights, brake lights, indicators and horn with the engine running. The same goes for the kill switch. All levers and switches should be easy to operate.
It is quite possible that the levels of engine oil, brake fluid and coolant are no longer sufficient. You should therefore definitely check them out. You should check all hoses and lines for cracks and damage. And: The brake fluid should be renewed every two years at the latest.
Of course, the brakes must also work properly. To check this, you should first wipe the brake discs with brake cleaner and check the pressure point on the lever and the stepping on the pedal. It is easy to check that the brakes are working properly and that the pistons are not seized by pushing the motorcycle. You should also check the handlebars, steering head bearings and shock absorbers.
The same applies to the chain of your two-wheeler. You should check these for tension and lubrication. The ADAC advises not to check the chain just before the start, but at least the day before. This allows the applied chain grease to take effect properly. It is also important here that the chain is correctly tensioned – and not too tight or too loose.
After a longer standstill, the tires have probably lost air, which is why you should also check the tire pressure. “Especially in curves, too little inflation pressure changes the driving behavior noticeably,” says accident researcher Luigi Ancona from DEKRA. Again, you should watch out for possible damage and cracks in the rubber. Although the legislature only prescribes a tread depth of 1.6 millimeters, Dekra recommends “significantly more”. In addition, a specialist should be consulted if there are any abnormalities or if the vehicle is more than six years old. Basically, the following applies: repair damage and any defects before the first ride.
After the bike comes the preparation of the rider
Once you have successfully serviced the motorcycle, you should also prepare yourself to ride. In addition to a helmet, gloves, jacket, leather trousers and boots, ADAC recommends wearing a kidney belt or back protector. Highly visible clothing and sufficient reflective materials on clothing can increase safety. You should also check the visor of the helmet for scratches and replace it if necessary.
Dekra accident researcher Ancona Bikers says: “Of course you don’t really forget how to ride a motorcycle over the winter, but even as an experienced driver I need a warm-up phase after the break.” You should get used to driving and the machine again on the first rides. It is advisable to first do a few driving exercises in a free parking lot and then start with shorter tours. The police in Rhein-Kreis Neuss recommends taking part in driver safety training every year after the winter break.
Also with regard to the speed assessment, you have to change again first. This also applies to motorists who have hardly encountered two-wheelers on the road in the previous months. Especially at the beginning they quickly underestimate the speed. In relation to the registered vehicles, around four times as many motorcyclists have fatal accidents in Germany as car occupants.
The Rhein-Kreis Neuss police warns: “Always reckon with the fact that you can be overlooked.” As a motorcyclist, you should always drive with foresight and defensively and take your foot off the gas in good time. In the transitional period, slippery sections of the route can still occur, especially in wooded areas and on bridges. In addition, in many places the road surfaces are damaged due to frost, so that large potholes must be expected. Grit can also be a serious hazard for motorcyclists.
Sources: ADAC, Dekra, Rhein-Kreis Neuss police, TÜV Nord