Attention Fair-Weather Bikers! Stay Safe On The Roads This Spring

• Published date: 27 May 2021
• Subject Matter: Insurance, Transport, Rail, Road & Cycling, Insurance Laws and Products
• Law Firm: Digby Brown
• Author: Digby Brown Solicitors

With better weather (finally) on the horizon, our team of motorcycle solicitors know that many of you will be taking to the roads for the first time this year. As well as being aware, there's lots you can do to stay safe...

Winter is nearly over, evenings are getting lighter, and for those bikers who traded two wheels for four over the colder months, it will soon be time to rumble your machines from hibernation.

So if you're revved-up with eagerness to get back in the saddle and you just can't wait to kick-start your motorcycling season, here are some timely tips for staying safe.

Motorcycling Safety Tips

1. Check Your Bike

• Spring Clean - Start things off with a good old-fashioned clean and polish. Your bike would thank you for it if it could, plus an attentive clean could show up more serious issues to attend to.
• Brakes - Check brake pads, clean the callipers, check for corrosion and replace worn parts as necessary. It's also a good idea to drain old brake fluid and top up with new.
• Oil - You may have your leathers on but you'll want to ensure that your pride and joy is sufficiently lubed-up before jumping onboard. Change the engine oil and oil filter, check the fork oil, lubricate chain, clutch cable and gear linkage, check the condition of fluid hoses, and beware of any leakage.
• Tyres - Your tyres will have lost pressure over the winter and this can dangerously affect the bike's handling. Inflate tyres to the correct pressure (note check pressure when tyres are cold) and keep them maintained as such at all times. Also check that the tyres haven't become punctured and that there's still a safe level of tread in them - replace your tyres if necessary.
• Bearings - With the engine switched off, raise the bike's wheels off the ground and give them a spin. First keep an ear out for bearing noise and then apply the brakes. Unusual bearing noises or any play in the wheel when the brakes are applied indicates that you'll need a bearing change.
• Battery - Clean and tighten connections between battery and terminals. Check the battery is fully charged and if it looks past its sell-by date, get a replacement. Examine electrical cables for wear and tear and replace if necessary.
• Lights - Check the bulbs in the headlamps, taillights, indicators and instrumentation lights, and also check for their correct operation. Replace bulbs if required.
• Chain - Examine chain and sprockets for rust and check that links haven't fused together Ensure that there's not...