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Get Ready To RIDE!

By Tom Mehren

March 21^st, a day I often look forward to.  In reality, it’s typically still cold or raining, but it does mark the first day of spring and for many riders that’s the green light to - Get Ready to RIDE!

Fair weather riders often store their bikes in winter, but why wait until a sunny day to get it ready to go when there’s time during the winter months to prepare for riding season, no matter what day or month it is.  Here’s ten tips about getting ready for those first great riding days ahead of time, instead of waiting until the last minute…or until it’s too late. 

1. Maintenance:  The more you take care of now, the better off you'll be.  Having your bike all set to go on a sunny day is a beautiful thing.
1. Standard Service – Is it time for that 4,000, 7,500, 12,000 or 150,000 mile service?  Get it done sooner than later so your bike is ready to roll when the sun pops it’s head out and we see our first 70 degree day of the year.  Waiting until later means there may be a delay at your dealer of anywhere from one to three weeks.  Having needed services performed in the first three months of the year, means you’ll have little wait and your bike will be ready.
2. Charge Up – If your bike has spent most of the winter in the garage, chances are it’s battery is below 80%.  On many bikes this means the alternator will never get the bike up to full capacity.  To do that you’ll need to throw it on a battery charger.  The Battery Tender, available from most dealers, is my choice for chargers because it’s automated.  Just plug it into the wall and to your battery over an evening. When you wake up your battery will be charged, but  won’t explode due to overcharging.  The Battery Tender knows when it’s job is done and goes into “Store” mode upon completion of a charge.
3. Carburetor Cleanup Time – If you had your bike sitting inside most of winter, it’s a good idea to remove the carburetor, or have your local shop do so, and clean it out.  Fuel over time turns to a turpentine residue, when sitting idle, and can gunk up carburetion.  If you neglect to do this you may end up stranded due to fouling your fuel system and plugs.   I once became stranded along Airport Way as a result of this very experience.  In Washington, and some other states, gasohol is added to our fuel in the winter to reduce emissions (when air quality can suffer as a result of cloud cover and slower air movement).  Unfortunately the use of gasohol reduces the able life of the fuel in your tank.
4. Tires – It’s been said in this publication before,  if you foresee needing new tires this season, why not now?  Instead of waiting until later, beat the rush and scoop on the available inventory.
5. Clean it Up – Honestly, I really only do a complete cleaning of my bike once or twice a year.  This includes getting all the gunk off the rims, pressure washing the motor and all the undersides like the fenders and such.  If you choose to pressure wash your bike, stay away from the air filter and any open cable housings.  The rest of the year I carry a can of Honda Polish, then spray and wipe the bike down whenever I get home from a long ride.  That’s also a great time to lube the chain.
2. Upgrade your Wardrobe:  If you spent all of last year wearing shorts and a tee shirt every time your rode, do yourself a favor and upgrade your wardrobe to include a few items of clothing that might better protect you in the event another driver struck you, or heaven forbid, you hit some gravel in a turn.
1. Get a Real Jacket – If your jacket does not have armor in the shoulders or elbows, you’re in for a fracture, or worse, if you go down.  While a thin leather jacket might be fashionable at the doughnut shop, it will do little to protect your bones in the event of a fall.  Down jackets from the local outdoor store have little to do with motorcycle safety, due to lack of padding and durable material.  Many reputable motorcycle clothing manufacturers today combine fashion with safety making stylish coats that also have armor, or at least “thick” padding in the critical areas.  A current favorite of mine - the new Kilimanjaro II from First Gear.
2. Dump your Shorts or Chaps - While you’re shopping, remember that chaps were designed for people who ride horses, to keep them clear from sweat and bramble.  There's not much sweat and bramble along a 60 mph interstate, so let's consider clothing with safer construction here.  For those of us who ride motorcycles, many motorcycle clothing manufacturers make stylish textile and/or leather pants that have padding in the knees and hips, bettering your chances of coming out of a fall unscathed, or with just a fracture instead of a break - the choice is yours.  The only protection chaps will provide is that you may not bleed (except on your butt if that’s how you hit the pavement), but you’ll still break a bone if that’s what’s coming to you.
3. Stay Cool – BMW, First Gear and Joe Rocket have all released open mesh leather and/or textile riding gear in the last few years.  This provides superior airflow on warm days when you want it most, while still protecting your body at the shoulders, elbows, hips and knees.  My experience is this stuff all works great until about 90 degrees, then it’s time to soak down your tee shirt underneath.
4. Boots – If you rode around last year in tennis shoes, or god forbid sandals, it’s time to upgrade to a pair of real riding boots.  I’m not talking about a pair of hiking boots from REI, what I’m referring to is a pair of full ankle coverage boots.  The reality is that there are inexpensive motorcycle boots on the market that will completely cover your feet and ankle for the same price as a pair of Birkenstock sandals.
5. Gloves – Skimpy leather gloves with fray may look nice (at the doughnut shop), but what's going to protect you best is something that provides extra protection on the palms and the tops of the finger tips.  
3. Finish Up Off-Season Projects:  Were you thinking of taking care of a few things during your off-season riding time?  Now’s a great time to finish them up.  A few that come to mind are:
1. Tank Kreeming – Tanks that sit in cold weather for a long time are prone to have water condense on the inside and cause rust, which means you may end up with a clogged fuel system when you least expect it.  This is not only a pain later, but can become a safety issue due to a sudden release of fuel into the cylinder heads should a tiny spec push itself through a clogged jet.  A product called Tank Kreem is readily available.  While it’s a tricky job, if you’re mechanically inclined you can coat your tank yourself, or take it to a shop to be done.  
2. New Chain and Sprocket – Every bike is different, but after so many thousands of miles of wear and tear it’s time to chuck that old chain.  The best course to follow is to replace the chain, along with both the front and rear sprockets at the same time.  Your dealer can inspect the drive train on your bike.
3. Other Rebuilds – Many people like to rebuild steering bearings, carburetors, top ends and other mechanical elements during the off-season.  Is it time to finish off one such project in your garage?
4. Get A New Seat – Did you experience back trouble last year on long rides?  If you did, maybe it’s time to visit a guy like Rich at Rich’s Custom Seats and get outfitted with a seat that’s custom built to fit your shape and size.  When your manufacturer developed the stock seat on your bike they had no idea how much you weigh or how tall you are.  A hand fitted seat is one of the best gifts you can give yourself if you enjoy long days in the saddle. 
4. Waterproof Your Gear:  Even though it may be spring, summer or fall, in the Northwest the chance of rain lurks year around.  There’s just nothing like running into a downpour when you’re not prepared - be prepared.
1. Clothing – A lot of motorcycle clothes, leather or fabric, have some sort of water resistant abilities built in…which usually lasts for about a year on their own.  When that breaks down you’re all set up for wet gloves, a wet bottom and perhaps a few elbows full of water.  Explore the various products, such as Nikwax, and put together a nice collection at home that treats your gloves, boots, jacket and pants, so you can ride with more confidence the next time the sky opens up.  Sorry folks, Scotch Guard never worked for motorcycling, and it’s since been taken off the market due to a health issue concerning the use of the product.
2. Tank, Seat and Saddle Bags – Ditto on your storage bags.  Nikwax makes a nice spray on that you can apply to all your textile bags.  If you’re doing an overnight where you’re carrying an extra change of clothes, consider putting them into plastic trash bags and then storing them in your bags.
5. Accessorize:  Dreaming of the big ride this year?  Add a little something to your bike and upgrade your riding pleasure.
1. Storage – If you spent last year riding around with an Old Navy knapsack strung to your back, take a step up in the world and treat yourself to a real tank bag, rear trunk, seat bag or a set of saddle bags.  We like saddle bags the best because they keep the center of gravity low, providing you with more handling ability in turns or on a windy day.
2. Light Modulators – One way to insure people see you coming or going is to use light modulators on your headlight and/or brake light.  A number are available at local dealers, but be certain to study up on the state code regarding the usage of them so you don’t have a run in with the State Patrol.  In the past, many state patrol officers have shown their lack of understanding concerning this code, so we recommend you print a copy of the code and carry it with you.
6. Plan The Big One:  Will it be a ride to Sturgis, British Columbia, or perhaps an overnight on the Cascade Loop.  No matter what, be ready with these simple tips.
1. Determine your Route – For long trips it’s a good idea to determine a route and leave the details with a loved one at home.  That way if they don’t hear from you at regular intervals, they may be able to assist local law enforcement as to your possible whereabouts in the event of your disappearance.  
2. Book your Accommodations – Sometimes it’s fun to just grab the credit card and ride on a whim, but if you’re planning a trip into an area with a large event going on (Sturgis?  Honda Hoot etc…), you’re better off booking your accommodations in advance, so you don’t wind up snuggling up next to a rock in the moonlight when you finally find a campground that isn’t full.
3. Where are the Dealers? – It may not have happened to you yet, but sooner or later we all break down away from home.  It’s helpful to know where the closest dealer is no matter where you are riding.  Many websites, such as yellowpages.com and qwestdex.com, allow you to search their listings for various states and print out the results.  Knowing the location of the nearest dealer for your particular brand of bike, can make a long day on the road that much shorter.
4. Get the Right Gear – Be certain to pack for the…uncertain.  It may be August and 95 degrees outside when you leave home, but that doesn’t mean when you cross the border into B.C., Idaho or Oregon the sky won’t open up into a hailstorm.  Carry rain gear and a layer of warm clothing just in case you need it later.  This also means to plan your storage accordingly.  
7. Review the Calendar:  Sound RIDER! provides the most extensive calendar to Northwest events anywhere.  Use it to plan your weekend rides or know when club meetings are.
1. Rides – We list more than 200 rides and events a year.  Make a promise to yourself to find one ride or event to do each month or week during the warmer riding season.  A good day ride each week helps me relax and meditate on the last week of work, as well as where I want to go in the coming week.  Some of my best brainstorms have occurred with a throttle in my right hand.
2. Events – The more I write about motorcycling in Puget Sound, the more I learn about the diverse array of events that are going on here.  If you’ve never experienced flat track racing, off road racing, sport racing or perhaps an antique motorcycle show, make this the year you slip something new into your motorcycling adventure.  Use the calendar to find out when and where these events are going on.
3. List your Event – You can post an event on the Sound RIDER! Calendar.  Once it’s approved by the editor (usually within 7 days) it will be listed.  These listings include descriptive information and places to put contact information (like an email link and a website link if you have one for your event).
8. Brush Up on Safety:  Pick a few hours at night during the week, or over a cloudy weekend, to brush up on safety.   Here’s a few ways to do it:
1. Get your head in a book – There are a number of books on the market that put motorcycle safety under a microscope.  Two I particularly enjoy are David Hough’s Proficient Motorcycling, and his most recent, Street Strategies.  I often spend a half hour or so reading a chapter or two, then take a ride to practice and apply what I learned.  You might also visit your local DOL and pick up the latest edition of the motorcycle operators manual.  Click here to download a PDF copy now.
2. Take a Motorcycle Safety Course – If you’ve never taken a motorcycle safety course, sign up for one sooner than latter.  The three day curriculum is far more extensive than reading the state published motorcycle operators manual.  If you’ve taken the beginners course, sign up for the advanced class every 3-5 years and keep up with the latest in training.  There are so many things to know about riding a motorcycle, I’ll bet there’s a few you may have forgotten along the way.
3. Retake the State DOL Test - After Hours – Can you do a quick stop, make it through the cone weave, or make a full turn in a tight space?  Visit the closest DOL lot after hours and try your hand at the moving test.  You might be surprised to find out you’re a bit rusty.  Administer the test to yourself using the guidelines in the back of the state’s Motorcycle Operators Manual.
9. Buy a New or Used Bike, or Sell One of Yours: The off season is a great time to buy a new or used bike. 
1. Buying - I’ve personally always felt you need about a thousand miles on a new motorcycle for your mind to map the geometry of the bike and build your confidence with using it.  In the late winter and early spring both new bikes and used bikes are more plentiful than late spring and summer.  Limited releases of new models are usually gone by then and used bike options are slim pickin’s.  We now list over 250 used bikes that are here locally in Puget Sound.
2. Selling – If you have a used bike to sell, do it sooner than later.  You never know how long it will take to sell that gem of yours.  You don’t want to get down to the wire on a new bike deal, having to accept the buy bid from a local dealer, if you can get more for it selling it on your own.  You can put your bike for sale on the Sound RIDER! pre-owned pages for much less the the local papers.
10. Get Your Docs All In A Row:  There is a certain amount of paperwork that should be in order whenever you ride.
1. Motorcycle Endorsement – Do you have a current motorcycle endorsement?  If you don’t, you can be fined by the state and have your bike towed onsite, wherever you may be when the state patrol or local law enforcement agency pulls you over.  The later is required by law.
2. Registration – Be certain your tabs are current.  If a law enforcement officer is contemplating pulling you over, out of date tabs seal the deal for doing so. 
3. Insurance – While it’s not required for motorcyclists in Washington (god knows why), it’s not expensive and worth having if you are involved in an accident.  We like the quotes we get from State Farm and Geico.  In November of 2001 Progressive instituted massive rate increases on motorcycle policies within the state of Washington.  If you’re a victim of this, start shopping around.  By the way, most insurance policies won't cover you in a moving incident if you don't have a state endorsement, but they'll be happy to take your money for the policy anyway.
4. Organ Donation – If you have noted you want to be on organ donor on your license, please remember that if no one in your family can confirm this at your time of death, it’s as if you never signed up for the option at all.  Be certain to have a discussion with your nearest loved ones and let them know of your intents.
5. Where there’s a Will there’s a Way – The final note here is that when you go, go in style by leaving behind a legal will that will take care of all the specifics of your belongings and other requests concerning your passing on.  Without this document your families well being can get tied up in estate court for months or years to come.  SR!

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