Dust Off Your Touring Motorcycle For Spring

Winter can be a no-good time for motorcycle riders, with many bikes sitting idle under covers or tucked into the corner of garages. With spring having sprung, you’re likely tempted to just hop in the saddle and zoom down the road without a second thought. But it’s also time to pull out the maintenance checklist and get your bike ready for a proper ride.

Here at Lumberjack Harley-Davidson®, we know you’re eager to get out there and put rubber to pavement, but taking the time to check over your bike after a winter unused can prevent damage and reduce the likelihood of an accident. Read on for some quick tips and tricks, or if you’re ready to check out some great bikes and parts, head into our Nacogdoches, Texas location, near Lufkin.

Check Your Owner’s Manual

Whether you're still stuck indoors or if riding season has already begun, reading your owner's or service manual can help get you prepared for spring maintenance. This guide will give you some general ideas on how to be prepare, but your manual has the specifics for your bike. Skim through it after reading our guide to get a feel for what kind of procedures you'll need to do and what kind of tools you need before digging in.

Fuel and Batteries

Stale gasoline can be problematic in stored vehicles, so it’s good to address this first. The gas we put in our vehicles is delicately refined and can deteriorate quickly. After only a few months, the most combustible elements will have already started evaporating. If your bike is pulling this gasoline into the engine, it can cause some real problems, from a rough ride to clogged fuel lines and filters.

A winterized bike will have either be drained of fuel or have a fuel stabilizer. If you did drain your tank, take a peek inside for any rust, gunk, or condensation that could cause problems later. Refill your tank with high-octane fuel before you start it up to make sure the gas running through the system is as fresh as possible.

Don’t forget the battery! Well, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to overlook it, because the most common problems when getting a bike ready to ride after storage is a dead battery. Every time a battery goes dead, its life is cut down, and it only needs to be drained a few times for it to become problematic. A trickle charger is a good choice during winterization, but if you forgot this step, it's not too late to order one and charge your battery back-up for that first ride of the season.

If you hook up your battery to a charger and nothing happens, your battery is likely too far gone to be revived. It's better to find out a few weeks before spring so you can order a new motorcycle battery without having to delay your first spring ride, so check the battery in advance!

Oil, Filter, and Fluids

Consult your owner’s manual for exact procedure on checking engine oil and filter, but the basic process shouldn’t be too different than on a car or other vehicle. Ensure a clear reading by wiping off the dipstick before inserting again. Clear, low-viscosity oil is a good sign, and all you need to do is top off the levels. Muddy brown or black oil with high viscosity is not only sign that you need to change your oil, but the filter has to be replaced as well.

You’ll also need to check on your brake fluid. Brake fluid has a tendency to absorb moisture straight out of the air. At the very least, check and top off the fluid levels in your master cylinder, ensuring you use the correct brake fluid for your bike. Ideally, you should do a complete flush of your brake system with new fluid. For more detailed information on this procedure, check your owner’s manual. Coolant is also important, so check that levels are up to spec, especially after your bike's been sitting for several months. Simply check the levels to make sure they’re good!

Tires

With only two tires touching the pavement, it’s important to keep them both healthy, as a blown out tire will almost certainly lead to a wreck. Start by measuring the air pressure with a tire pressure gauge. These aren’t very expensive, but are extremely helpful. You should be able to find them at well-stocked gas stations, auto parts stores, or major retailers. Next, look at the tread on the tires. Are the tires wearing out evenly? Are they more bald on the sides or down the middle? Is there any metal or foreign objects lodged in the tire? Never ride with a damaged tire.

Spit Shine

Show your bike some love and give it a good cleaning. A solid scrub and wax will help protect against dirt, rocks, and UV radiation. Get it as good looking as you’ll feel when you finally take your bike out for the first ride of spring!

With a few routine checks, maintenance, and some good ol’ fashioned elbow grease, you’ll be ready to take your bike out for that sweetest of spring rides. If you find yourself in needs of any new parts, service, or you just need someone to talk to about all your warm weather riding plans, head into Lumberjack Harley-Davidson in Nacogdoches, Texas, near Lufkin. Our staff of knowledgeable and courteous professionals are ready to answer all your questions and help you find the motorcycle of your dreams!