Yes, we know, you’re a Stone Cold, Mad Max Easy Rider who is Beyond the Law, but On Any Sunday The Girl on the Motorcycle will be The Born Loser(s) if you don’t do what is needed to make sure that those Wild Hogs aren’t ready for the road.
A couple of points for the non-movie buffs out there: 1) we’re very proud of that opening sentence. Check IMDB, for more info, and 2) when it comes time to take your motorcycle out of storage and get it back on the road, there are a few things that you need to do to make sure that your summer rides are as safe as they can be.
After all, it’s hard to not look cool on a bike…unless that bike is broken down (or worse) on the road.
So, follow these simple tricks, and you can be both cool and safe as you hit the road!
If you have stored your motorcycle in a first-rate, heated storage unit, you shouldn’t have to worry about damage from weather or rodents, but dust cannot be helped.
So the first thing you should do is take the time to inspect all surfaces of the bike and to give it a good wipe down.
In fact, it’s not a bad idea to give the motorcycle a couple of visits during the Winter to do just this.
The next order of business is to check all the bike’s fluids. Even if you put it in storage fully topped off, it’s possible that evaporation has taken them down to a level where a quick top-up is needed.
Once you get it back on the road, you should make sure that you get the motorcycle to be serviced professionally as soon as possible.
Road trip!
It can be easy to ignore early-onset baldness. Just pretend it’s not happening, right?
Unfortunately, you can’t put a hat on your bike’s tires. Or do a comb-over. And, unlike your hairline, a balding tire isn’t just a sign of maturity, it can also be deadly.
The time to take your bike out of storage is also a perfect time to evaluate the state of your tires and, if needed, replace them.
It’s never too soon to get ready for next Winter, so end your day by getting your space cleaned out and ready to put the bike back in, come Fall, or if you go away for an extended time.
If you have any Winter toys (snowmobiles or other sports equipment), you might have room to do a straight swap of the space.
If not, you can use the space to sore extra tires, fluids, and other equipment that you might need during the riding season.
The last step is the best: Get out on that open highway and start enjoying our great Canadian Summers!