A Pre-Ride Inspection Checklist for Your Motorcycle

Refer to these essential safety checks to ensure your motorcycle is well-maintained and ready for your trips. If you notice any issues that are too complex for you to handle, get your bike serviced by our experts at Maxey’s Motorsports. We’re in Oklahoma City, OK, where we happily welcome our friends from Tulsa and Edmond.

Examine Your Tires

Start the pre-ride inspection of your motorcycle by examining your tires. Ensure you have inflated them as per the manufacturer's recommendations and there aren’t any objects embedded in them. You’ll also want to make sure your tires aren't cracked or worn out and that they have sufficient tread depth to give you the traction you need.

Check Fluid Levels

The fluids help keep your motorcycle running smoothly. That’s why you must have good-quality liquids in your bike, in sufficient quantities.

The color of your engine oil must be a nice golden shade. If it appears dark and sludgy, it can suggest contaminants. Fix the issue by changing the oil along with your oil filter. You'll want to use a dipstick to check the coloring and top off any low levels.

Also, check to see if your motorcycle has enough brake fluid and ensure that you inspect both the front and back reserves.

Finally, you’ll need to replenish your bike’s fuel tank with fresh gas.

Test Your Braking System

Your motorcycle’s braking system plays an instrumental role in keeping you safe on the road. So, check to see that it is as responsive as it should be. Make sure your bike’s brakes aren’t producing any squeaky or grinding sounds and that there is sufficient fluid in the reservoirs for your trip. If you notice that your brake pads are wearing out unevenly, you’ll need to replace them as soon as possible.

While you are at it, test that your throttle closes fully and that your bike doesn’t idle when it shouldn’t. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure there isn’t any grinding or roughness in your clutch.

Look at Your Lights

Your motorcycle’s lights not only help you see potential hazards on the road, but they also boost your visibility, enabling other motorists to see you. Both these functions help keep you safe by minimizing your chances of being in a collision. That’s why you must make sure that your bike’s lights—headlights, brake lights, and turn signals are bright and functional. Test them before each ride to see that there isn’t any dirt covering the lights, and replace any burnt-out bulbs before you hit the road.

We hope this pre-ride inspection checklist helps maintain your motorcycle and optimize its performance. For more ideas or to get your bike serviced by our professional technicians, don’t hesitate to connect with us at Maxey’s Motorsports. We’re in Oklahoma City, OK, where we proudly serve those from Tulsa and Edmond, so stop by today.