Checklist to Prepare You -- What to Do to Get ready

Basic Getting Ready to Ride Checklist

I would like to start by going over some basic stuff that everybody already knows, so I will create a check list first before we leave for that little ride we look forward to every chance we get. I am going to point out the risk factors that kill or injure.

Let’s Think of Some of the Little Things That We all Forgot the Last Time We Rode:

  • Check the weather, ha, that’s a good one. It sure would be nice to know the temperature and where the rain is for the day. Having the rain gear and a warm jacket in the saddle bag was a smart thing to do. If it’s really getting cold, throw an extra long sleeve shirt and regular gloves in too.
  • Check the motorcycle, and don’t say “oh the bike was OK the last time I rode it. Check the oil, tires, cables, clutch, chain or belt tension, horn, lights, signals, brakes and, fuel, or wait on the fuel and make the entire group stop because you needed fuel. How many times has that happened, the guy had two weeks to get ready for the trip and showed up to go, low on gas? I have added a 145PSI double trumpet truck air horn to our bikes to give us a little edge on alerting others that we are there. Test everything.  Start the engine up, before everybody gets there,  and test the battery and spark plugs.
  • Plan the route so that you don’t have to stop to check the map or discuss where you are going, Each stop adds a risk factor, like  slowing down, turning in, pulling out, and any interaction leaving or entering with traffic causes risk. Most accidents occur while making a change from going straight down the road. Tell everyone in the group the plan so there are no surprises.
  • Double check everything before you leave, for instance, do you have your motorcycle keys? Did you clean the bike? How about that tool kit with those spare light bulbs and a screw driver. Final walk around the bike to look at everything like that missing bolt or the loose strap on the bag, oh, and did you lock the house?  We like to bring a frozen bottle of water for later. Grab the cell phone! I have had to lend night glasses or goggles, shirts, gloves, shirts, jackets, bandannas, light bulbs, tools, hats, locks, and forgotten articles that I never got back from the borrower that got caught out after dark in the cool night air. We have spent a small fortune to support our friends with gear.
  • Brief your passenger on the rules of proper hand signals, getting on and off, and being your watch dog for any thing unexpected. I can’t tell you how times my wife saved my butt because I didn’t see something. Make sure they put their feet on the foot pegs immediately, to give you maximum balance. Get rid of the flip flops and open toed shoes, leather boots with good rubber soles is the proper foot wear.
  • Warm up the engine enough to let the oil warm and circulate and let the oil pressure stabilize.  You won’t need full choke after one minute of idling, but leave it out a little for the first five minutes of riding for a smoother running engine.  Don’t forget to push the choke all the way in after five minutes or so that way you won’t choke to death every body behind you at the stop lights. Check your brakes right away, sometimes setting a long time allows air in the brake lines so the first pull or push on the brake may be soft or spongy, if this occurs, have the brakes checked by a mechanic first chance you get. I know you think they work OK after you use them a couple of times, but when you need them in a panic stop they will fail you or scare the hell out of you. Put your high beams on because you have 157% more visibility to oncoming traffic in daylight hours making it safer for you. Low beams go invisible after about 250 feet in bright day light.

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