Prepare for a safe summer of fun

As the lighter nights and sunny days approach and motorcycle enthusiasts take to the road, Honda is urging riders to give both their machine and their skills a ‘Spring Clean’ before the main summer riding season gets under way.

The world’s leading motorcycle manufacturer recommends that the first port of call is to give your motorcycle a thorough clean. “One of the most important things is to wash your bike. It doesn’t just keep it in tip-top condition, but it also allows you to spot anything amiss while you’re cleaning it,” says Dave Hancock Head of Customer Service Operations and Technical Development. “Make sure everything works as it should: levers, pedals, lights etc. If the bike’s on a stand, spin the wheels and ensure that the brakes work. Check brake pads for wear and oil and adjust the chain. You may also need to check the operation of any cables, and lubricate where necessary.”

Honda also underlines the importance of checking tyres for tread depth and condition, a vital part of any rider’s weekly ritual, while checking engines, brake hoses and fork seals for any leaks, is equally important. For riders who disconnect their battery over the winter months Honda recommends that it is given a top up charge before reconnecting it to the bike, alternatively it recommends the use of a trickle charger while garaged.

For owners who service their own bikes, it is advisable to change oil and filters, while also applying a good coat of water-repellent spray or wax protector, which should keep metal parts protected in the weeks ahead. However, it is important that riders avoid spraying anything on the brake discs or callipers; and for those who use their machines all year round, now is as good a time as any to clean off the callipers, which will improve the bite and feedback from the brakes.

“It’s essential that you go through your bike thoroughly and ensure that it’s safe and ready to ride, concludes Hancock. “This should be your spring health check, ensuring that you’re confident with the bike’s condition when you roll off your driveway for your first ride of the year.”

Riders are also recommended to give themselves a spring overhaul: do some gentle stretching exercises before getting on the bike, remembering that your body needs to adjust again to miles in the saddle. Even top racers say that all the exercise they do over winter still doesn’t make them ‘bike fit’, only hours in the saddle does that, so take it easy on yourself on your first few spring rides.

Finally, riding skills will no doubt need a refresher course, too! After a winter lay-off the chances are that your ability and hazard perception on a bike will be greatly reduced. Don’t ride at the pace you normally do straight from the off. Instead, ease yourself into riding again gently; leave more room than normal to the car in front and brake and accelerate gently, re-acquainting yourself with your machine. After a few weeks, book yourself an advanced riding course, be it an off-road riding course or a race school: advanced riding courses give you invaluable tips on how to stay safe on the road while off-road and race schools help sharpen up your machine control no-end. All these courses have the added benefit of being excellent fun and a perfect opportunity for you and your mates to get in the best possible condition for a fantastic summer of riding.

For more on Honda’s Off-Road Experience go to: hondaoffroad.co.uk and for the Honda Ron Haslam Race School go to: haslamraceschool.com.