It’s that time of year! Spring is around the corner, warmer weather is finally on the horizon and motorcycle riders are preparing to get their bike ready for the months ahead. Plus, the 2023 Superbike World Championship kicks off in Australia this weekend – who’s excited?!

To help you get prepared, we’ve rounded up some hints and tips if you are getting ready to take your motorbike out for a spin this spring…

Does your battery still work?

Don’t let a dead battery ruin your plans! If your bike has been stored in your garage over the winter, it’s not uncommon for the battery to die. So, at least a couple of days before you plan to go out for a ride, make sure to charge it.

With that being said, it’s one thing to charge the battery but have you checked how long it lasts? When left unattended for some time your batteries overall health will decline, meaning the charge won’t hold for as long as it used to. If you charge up your battery and then find that it’s died again after just a few hours, it may be time for a replacement.

Have you checked your fluids?

If your bike has been sitting around for a long time then it’s likely that fluids such as oil will have broken down and separated. So, it’s important to check all of the fluids that your bike requires – especially if you’re heading out on a long ride!

Take a look at the colour and consistency of the fluid, if it doesn’t look right – or simply hasn’t been changed in a long time – then it’s probably time to drain and refill.

Don’t forget about your brake fluid, which is incredibly important to ensuring that you have full control of the vehicle and can actually bring it to a stop. Much like oil, brake fluid becomes less effective over time, so not servicing this could result in a motoring accident.

Speaking of a motoring accident…

We all know that being involved in an accident is stressful enough. But what if your riding accessories, such as your helmet and leathers, were damaged and needed replacing? On top of everything else to deal with, we know this wouldn’t be a simple – or cheap – thing to do.

So, before heading out, it might be worthwhile checking that you’ve got the right cover in place should anything happen. Many motorcycle insurance policies will offer extra protection for your helmets and leathers, which is designed to financially help you in these instances.

If you’re a One Call customer, you can get helmet and leathers cover for your motorbike via your customer portal.

Is it taxed?

When taking your bike off the road for the winter months, it’s common to get a ‘Statutory Off Road Notice’ (SORN), which means that the bike will no longer be taxed and cannot be on the road until it is taxed again.

While it may be tempting to get straight on your bike once the weather warms up, don’t forget to check that the correct tax is in place. If it isn’t then you run the risk of financial penalties, having your vehicle clamped or impounded and you could even face court action.

So, whether you’re dusting the cobwebs off of your beloved bike now or you’re patiently waiting for warmer days, it’s always worthwhile spending a little extra time to ensure that you’ve got everything you need for a smooth ride.


Written by: Shannan Errington

*Please note that the above information has been gathered through secondary research. The information provided is not based on our opinion. You should seek further guidance and information before making an informed decision.

Sources:
https://www.rawhide.org/blog/recreational-vehicles/diy-motorcycle-tips-ready-for-spring/
https://insidedvla.blog.gov.uk/2022/03/31/tax-it-dont-risk-it-dvla-hits-the-road-to-highlight-the-risks-of-vehicle-tax-evasion/