Pre-Ride Check!

Patrick · 04-07-2008, 03:44 PM

I see lots of bikes come in to the shop daily that are truly unsafe to operate.

What's really scary though is that many of the riders, both noobs and seasoned veterans, are unaware that they're riding a potential time bomb.

I've got a pre-ride routine that I do before every ride, a habit I developed back when I used my bike daily as my only form of transportation.

As I walk up to the bike, I look for any puddles or drips underneath it, or wet spots on the bike, signs of a potential leak.

I look at the chain real quick to make sure it's in adjustment and lubed, and that the rear sprocket looks o.k.

I look at the tires / press on them to make sure there's no nails or large pressure loss.

Note: This should not take the place of actually CHECKING your tire pressure with a gauge, something I do once a week.

I lean the bike over to center and make sure the oil level is good and doesn't look too dirty.

I turn the key on and check the brake light / taillight operation.

At the same time I make sure the turn signals work, the headlights work AND the horn.

Now is the time to find out if your horn doesn't work.

NOT when that Buick pulls out in front of you.

I start the bike and listen to it while I'm putting by helmet on.
Does it sound normal? Any unusual noises?

If everything is good, I put on my gloves, get on the bike and go.

Total inspection time, less than a minute.

What it may save you in terms of mechanical or physical damage?
Priceless.

Be safe out there.

texlurch · 04-07-2008, 03:47 PM

Sir yes sir. Perfect preride ritual.

issanni · 04-07-2008, 03:48 PM

+1

Whorenet · 04-07-2008, 03:49 PM

.

Candy · 04-07-2008, 03:49 PM

GoOd ReAd!!!

Patrick · 04-07-2008, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whorenet

if we ever see you take off riding WITHOUT doing this, can we keep your pot'o gold (or in this case, whatever bike youre riding?)

all joking aside, its the truth.

I typically do this at the beginning of a ride, not at every stop.

However, I'm always looking the bike over as I approach it.

GQ* · 04-07-2008, 03:53 PM

I've been doing all that except for the tire pressure check...I'll get on top of that!

wlgorman · 04-07-2008, 03:54 PM

how do you see the oil?

qwezy · 04-07-2008, 03:54 PM

yes PATRICK that a must and i always do,especialy when me+my lady and my girl all on sidecar.thank PAT !!!!good post

Patrick · 04-07-2008, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wlgorman

how do you see the oil?

Most bikes have a sight glass on the r/h side of the engine.
The oil should be between the two lines on the cover.

Ulric · 04-07-2008, 03:58 PM

Quote:

I look at the chain real quick to make sure it's in adjustment and lubed, and that the rear sprocket looks o.k.

I didn't get any bike time before I had to drop it off, I SWEAR! :-)

Candy · 04-07-2008, 04:01 PM

This post calls for a sticky maybe in the Moto Related Section!

OMEGA · 04-07-2008, 04:02 PM

thank you

specterunseen · 04-07-2008, 04:04 PM

my friend that doesn't daily commute thinks i'm loony that i actually check my tire pressure, i normally 1-3 times per week, depending on how good i am.... I carry a pump too.

Its important... Don't be a poser...

lorin70 · 04-07-2008, 04:07 PM

I would add squeezing the front brake lever a few times to make sure it is solid. Just another thing that you want to make sure is working (like the horn) before the Buick pulls out in front of you or you come to that first intersection.

RojerLockless · 04-07-2008, 04:08 PM

I like this Sheldonhull guy. He reminds me of a mini Racer X

Candy · 04-07-2008, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RojerLockless

I like this Sheldonhull guy. He reminds me of a mini Racer X

like we need another one of those!

Whorenet · 04-07-2008, 04:10 PM

.

07SLVRCBR · 04-07-2008, 05:04 PM

Sticky???

matemike · 04-07-2008, 05:07 PM

Thanks patrick, good advice.

04-07-2008, 03:44 PM	#1
Patrick Motorcycles Unlimited Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Houston Feedback Rating: (2) Posts: 15,746 Experience: 10+ years Trackdays: 10+ Bike(s): '14 Speed Triple R, '82 CB900F, '13 Streetglide	Pre-Ride Check! I see lots of bikes come in to the shop daily that are truly unsafe to operate. What's really scary though is that many of the riders, both noobs and seasoned veterans, are unaware that they're riding a potential time bomb. I've got a pre-ride routine that I do before every ride, a habit I developed back when I used my bike daily as my only form of transportation. As I walk up to the bike, I look for any puddles or drips underneath it, or wet spots on the bike, signs of a potential leak. I look at the chain real quick to make sure it's in adjustment and lubed, and that the rear sprocket looks o.k. I look at the tires / press on them to make sure there's no nails or large pressure loss. Note: This should not take the place of actually CHECKING your tire pressure with a gauge, something I do once a week. I lean the bike over to center and make sure the oil level is good and doesn't look too dirty. I turn the key on and check the brake light / taillight operation. At the same time I make sure the turn signals work, the headlights work AND the horn. Now is the time to find out if your horn doesn't work. NOT when that Buick pulls out in front of you. I start the bike and listen to it while I'm putting by helmet on. Does it sound normal? Any unusual noises? If everything is good, I put on my gloves, get on the bike and go. Total inspection time, less than a minute. What it may save you in terms of mechanical or physical damage? Priceless. Be safe out there.
	__________________ Call or PM for the BEST PRICES in Houston for PARTS and ACCESSORIES. MAKE SURE TO MENTION YOU'RE ON MH TO GET THE BEST PRICE! NEED GEAR? We have a great selection in stock but if we need to order it we GUARANTEE FIT! Where Houston riders go to have their bikes worked on, done right the first time! 1964 FM 1960 West Houston, TX 77090 Hours: Tues.-Fri. 9:30-6:00 Sat. 9-5:30 www.motorcycles-unlimited.com https://www.facebook.com/motorcyclesunlimited e-mail: patrick@motorcycles-unlimited.com

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04-07-2008, 03:47 PM	#2
texlurch Official MH tag inspector Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Smack dab in the middle of Colo Feedback Rating: (2) Posts: 10,450 Experience: 10+ years Trackdays: 1 Bike(s): 16 R1200RS 00 ZX-12R 07 GSXR 600	Sir yes sir. Perfect preride ritual.
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04-07-2008, 03:48 PM	#3
issanni assfault Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Spring Feedback Rating: (3) Posts: 3,009 Experience: 10+ years Bike(s): 2005 KTM200 EXC	+1
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04-07-2008, 03:49 PM	#4
Whorenet Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NWC Feedback Rating: (0) Posts: 8,903 Bike(s): cbr600, cbrxx 1100 blackbird, kazuma 110 derty, springer forked 1/2 chopper...more to come	User is banned .

04-07-2008, 03:49 PM	#5
Candy The Most Intolerable bish Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: H-Town Feedback Rating: (0) Posts: 4,208 Experience: 6 years Trackdays: 7 Bike(s): '06 GSXR 1000 '02 GSXR 750	GoOd ReAd!!!
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04-07-2008, 03:53 PM	#7
GQ* Destiny's daddy! Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Friendswood Feedback Rating: (7) Posts: 11,011 Experience: 2 years Bike(s): 2008 Ninja 250r (sold) 2005 Suzuki SV650s (totaled) 2007 ZX6r (sold)	I've been doing all that except for the tire pressure check...I'll get on top of that!
	__________________ "Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get." -Dale Carnegie

04-07-2008, 03:54 PM	#8
wlgorman Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Missouri City, TX/Angleton, TX Feedback Rating: (0) Posts: 1,025 Bike(s): '06 CBR600RR	how do you see the oil?
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04-07-2008, 03:54 PM	#9
qwezy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Feedback Rating: (0) Posts: 809	yes PATRICK that a must and i always do,especialy when me+my lady and my girl all on sidecar.thank PAT !!!!good post

04-07-2008, 04:01 PM	#12
Candy The Most Intolerable bish Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: H-Town Feedback Rating: (0) Posts: 4,208 Experience: 6 years Trackdays: 7 Bike(s): '06 GSXR 1000 '02 GSXR 750	This post calls for a sticky maybe in the Moto Related Section!
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04-07-2008, 04:02 PM	#13
OMEGA good eenin *****es Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: se houston Feedback Rating: (4) Posts: 7,971 Experience: 6 years Bike(s): 2001 sv650(totalled) 01 yzfr6 now 2003sv1000	thank you
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04-07-2008, 04:04 PM	#14
specterunseen El Brilliante Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Houston, Tx Feedback Rating: (3) Posts: 1,592 Experience: 1 year Trackdays: 1 Bike(s): Kawasaki EX250 (dead due to mechanical failure) Kawasaki EX500 (on loan from a friend) Pending, bikeless once the 500 gone :-( Want Husky 510SMR or KTM 690 SMC to continue the hooligan activity	my friend that doesn't daily commute thinks i'm loony that i actually check my tire pressure, i normally 1-3 times per week, depending on how good i am.... I carry a pump too. Its important... Don't be a poser...

04-07-2008, 04:07 PM	#15
lorin70 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Houston - ITL Feedback Rating: (0) Posts: 366 Experience: 10+ years Trackdays: 10+ Bike(s): ZX9R 1098 SF FZ6 KZ650 ASICS GT2000	I would add squeezing the front brake lever a few times to make sure it is solid. Just another thing that you want to make sure is working (like the horn) before the Buick pulls out in front of you or you come to that first intersection.

04-07-2008, 04:08 PM	#16
RojerLockless member of NO MA`AM Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Willowbrook Area Feedback Rating: (10) Posts: 11,028 Experience: 10+ years Trackdays: 3 Bike(s): 2003 Honda CB919 2020 Honda CB300R 2011 Kawasaki Vulcan 900	I like this Sheldonhull guy. He reminds me of a mini Racer X
	__________________ I kissed a girl and I liked it!

04-07-2008, 04:10 PM	#18
Whorenet Banned Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NWC Feedback Rating: (0) Posts: 8,903 Bike(s): cbr600, cbrxx 1100 blackbird, kazuma 110 derty, springer forked 1/2 chopper...more to come	User is banned .

04-07-2008, 05:04 PM	#19
07SLVRCBR October '08 BOTM Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Friendswood Feedback Rating: (4) Posts: 4,063 Experience: 1-3 months Bike(s): 2007 CBR1000RR	Sticky???
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04-07-2008, 05:07 PM	#20
matemike Grip it 'n' Rip it! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Crossroads Feedback Rating: (3) Posts: 3,103 Experience: 10+ years Trackdays: 10+ Bike(s): 2 tricycle motors, no more bikes.	Thanks patrick, good advice.
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