Motorcyclist checking the bike before setting off on a road trip.

Checks before a motorcycle trip: the complete guide to getting off to a smooth start

Travel at motorcycle è one of experiences plus nice for who likes the freedom. The wind at helmet, the road which flows under the wheels e the feeling by be really inside the trip make each kilometer special.

But right why the motorcycle è a half exposed e plus delicate respect to the car, do i righteous checks first by leave è fundamental.

Many bikers learn this lecture at way worst:
one rubber deflate at Highway, one chain too slow at mountain o one battery download after one stop.

They are problems which yes can avoid easily with one simple checklist by checks.

In this guide we shall see:

  • all i checks mechanics first by leave

  • what check On the equipment

  • as prepare the motorcycle for a trip long

  • errors municipalities by avoid

If you are programming a trip at motorcycle - also by few days - this guide can save yourself problems, money e risks.

Which checks do first by a trip at motorcycle?

First by leave for a trip at motorcycle è important check:

  • pressure e status of tires

  • level oil engine

  • brakes e pads

  • chain o transmission

  • lights e indicators

  • battery

  • documents e insurance

These checks allow by avoid failures during the trip e increase the security at road.

 

Why check the motorcycle first by a trip

Many bikers check the motorcycle only when something not works.

È a error.

A trip puts the motorcycle under stress:

  • kilometers continue

  • temperatures high

  • roads bumpy

  • load greater with luggage

A small problem which at city not yes note can become a fault serious after hundreds by kilometers.

Example real.

During a trip at Dolomites a friend biker has ignored a light noise of chain. After about 300 km the chain yes è loose too e has started a jump at teeth of crown.

Result:

  • detention motorcycle

  • wagon tools

  • trip ruined.

Just 30 seconds by check first of departure.

1. Check of tires

The tires are the dot by contact between the motorcycle e the road.

If something not goes here, all the rest becomes useless.

Pressure of tires

La pressure correct è fundamental For:

  • stability

  • braking

  • consumption fuel

  • duration tires

Check always the pressure a tires cold.

I values are indicated:

  • at manual of motorcycle

  • at swingarm

  • under the saddle.

In trip with luggage o passenger often serves increase slightly the pressure.

Motorcyclist checking motorcycle tire pressure with a pressure gauge before starting.

Wear of tread

One tire too consumed can be very dangerous.

Check:

  • depth of tread

  • any cracks

  • cuts o objects embedded.

If the tread è near at limit legal 1.6 mm, è better change it first of travel.

Pressure gauge for checking tire pressure of a sport motorcycle.

Digital tire pressure gauge

2. Check of brakes

I brakes are the element plus important for the safety.

First by a trip verification:

  • pads brake

  • level liquid brakes

  • reply of lever

Pads brake

If the pads are consumed:

  • braking less effective

  • risk overheating

Check which I thickness either at least 2-3 mm.

Motorcyclist checking the front brake and brake caliper of a sports motorcycle before starting.

Liquid brakes

The liquid brakes must Being:

  • clear

  • at level correct

If è very dark can be old o contaminated.

3. Check of chain

La chain è one of components which suffers by plus in the travel long.

Check:

  • voltage

  • lubrication

  • wear

A chain dry o too slow can breaking.

As check the voltage

La chain must have a game by about 20-30 mm.

See always the manual of yours motion.

Motorcyclist lubricating motorcycle chain with lubricating spray during maintenance.

Product recommended

Maintains the transmission efficient e silent

Motorcyclist lubricating motorcycle chain with lubricating spray during maintenance.

Motorcycle chain lubricant spray

4. Check oil engine

A trip long means many hours by engine on.

The level oil must be perfect.

Check:

  • level

  • color

  • any losses.

A oil too old loses the his properties lubricants.

Motorcyclist checking motorcycle engine oil level with dipstick.

5. Check lights

Le lights are fundamentals for be visa.

Check:

  • low beams

  • high beams

  • stop

  • arrows

  • light license plate

È a check which requires less by 1 minute.

6. Check battery

If the battery è old you could have problems after stops long.

Signals by battery weak:

  • startup slow

  • lights which yes lower On power-up.

7. Papers e security

First by leave checks:

  • license

  • booklet

  • insurance

  • review.

8. Check the transmission: chain, crown e pinion

La transmission final è one of elements plus solicited during a trip at motion.
If walk hundreds o thousands by kilometers, this component works constantly e any problem can transform quickly at a fault serious.

Many bikers check only the chain, but the reality è which chain, crown e pinion must be checked together.

Transmission of a motorcycle with chain and sprocket on the rear swingarm.

Signals which the transmission è worn

Check these elements:

  • teeth of crown consumed

  • pinion pointed

  • chain with jerseys rigid

  • noises metallic

  • tugs during acceleration

If well-known one by these signs, better take action first by leaving.

Example real

During a trip by Milan a Barcelona, a biker has ignored one chain noisy. After about 700 km, the chain has skipped a tooth of crown causing leak by traction.

Fortunately, the speed was low, but could be very dangerous.

As lubricate properly the chain

La chain must be lubricated each 500-800 km, or after rain o washing.

Procedure simple:

  1. put the motorcycle at easel

  2. do turn the wheel

  3. spray the lubricant at all the chain

  4. leave take action 10 minutes

Product recommended

Excellent for travel long e conditions difficult.

motul-c2-chain-lube-lubricant-chain-moto

Motul C2 Chain Lube - Motorcycle Chain Lubricant

9. Check the level of liquid refrigerant

The liquid refrigerant serves a maintain the temperature of engine stable.

During a trip long the motorcycle can address:

  • traffic

  • temperatures high

  • long climbs

  • loads heavy

For this è fundamental check the level.

Checking the coolant level in the coolant pan of a motorcycle.

As check the liquid refrigerant

Check:

  • level between MIN e MAX

  • color of liquid

  • any leaks

If the liquid è brown o very dark, could be old.

Better replace it.

10. Check suspensions e forks

Many bikers ignore fully this control.

Error.

Le suspensions influence:

  • stability

  • comfort

  • security

During a trip the motorcycle è often plus heavy a cause of luggage.

Checks by do

Check:

  • any leaks by oil from forks

  • sinking abnormal

  • noises strange

If find oil at forks, means which i oil seals could be worn.

Front fork of a motorcycle with suspension and disc brake.

11. Check the equipment of biker

Not è only the motorcycle a have to be prompt.

Also the biker must be.

Many accidents o problems during i travel are caused by equipment inadequate.

Equipment minimum recommended

First by a trip insured by Have:

  • helmet approved

  • jacket with protections

  • gloves

  • pants technicians

  • boots motorcycle

Motorcycle gloves with rigid knuckle protectors resting on a motorcycle.

Certified motorcycle gloves with protection

12. Kit by emergency by bring always

When travel at motorcycle you have to be preparation a small contingencies.

A kit emergency can save you the travel.

What bring at kit

Kit recommended:

  • kit repair tires

  • mini compressor

  • tools base

  • fuses

  • tape insulator

  • flashlight

Emergency motorcycle kit with tools and accessories for quick repairs.

Product recommended

Motorcycle tool kit with wrenches and maintenance tools.

Motorcycle tire repair kit

Product recommended

Portable compressor for inflating motorcycle tires connected to the rear wheel.

Portable Motorcycle Compressor

13. As prepare the motorcycle for a trip long

Over at checks technicians, you have to prepare the motorcycle for the logistics of trip.

This means:

  • distribution luggage

  • protection wind

  • autonomy fuel

Distribution of luggage

A error municipality è upload bad the motion.

Rule base:

  • weight greater at bass

  • weight distributed

  • nothing objects free

Travel motorcycle with side cases and luggage ready for a road tour.

14. Errors which many bikers do first by a trip

Also bikers experts do errors.

I plus municipalities Are:

1. Leave without check the pressure tires

È the error plus widespread.

A rubber deflate It gets worse:

  • stability

  • braking

  • consumption fuel

2. Not lubricate the chain

A chain dry yes wear very plus fast.

3. Not check the oil

The engine è the heart of motion.

4. Bring too many luggage

Weight excessive means:

  • plus consumption

  • less stability

15. Checklist final first by leave

Here is the checklist quick.

First by leave checks:

pressure tires
status tires
brakes
level oil
liquid refrigerant
chain lubricated
lights
battery
documents
equipment

Print this checklist can be very useful.

Conclusion

A trip at motorcycle è an experience incredible.

But the freedom of road must always be accompanied by responsibility e preparation.

Do i checks first by leave means:

  • avoid failures

  • increase the security

  • travel plus quiet

Remember always:

the best adventure è that which ends without problems.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

About 10-15 minutes for one check complete.

Each 500-800 km o after the rain.

Pressure e status of tires.

Yes, especially for travel long.