THIS WEEK'S Safe Riding Tips

 

Hi all


This weeks tips are not meant to make a technical fundi of you regarding your motorcycle but rather to illustrate why you should know your motorcycle.

There’s not much to maintain on a day to- day basis on most modern motorcycles, but do what you can do, including your pre-ride checks. Your bike has a regular service schedule, listed in the owner’s manual. Unless you are an accomplished mechanic, I recommend that these services be done by an authorized dealer.

Keeping your bike clean is a good idea. It’s astounding how dirt can cover up something that is about to go wrong. Check your battery every month. Make sure the fluid level is where it should be. If it is low, top it up with distilled water. Always take your tool kit along when you go for a ride. You never can tell when it will come in handy. Use the tools to go over the bike occasionally and make sure no screws or bolts are loose. You should always have your owner ’s manual with the bike!!!!!!.


• Little things may happen to the bike that are cause for concern. Don’t panic until you check out the obvious.

• Flat tires are pretty rare occurrences on motorcycles, but they can happen. In this case, you can get on the phone to the dealer

• If the engine doesn’t start:
- Is the key on?
- Is there gas?
- Is the battery too weak?
- Or a battery lead loose?
- Have spark plug wires fallen off?
- Is the ignition cut-off switch in the OFF position

• If the engine stops when you don’t want it to:
- Did you accidently hit the cut-off switch?
- Did you run out of gas?
- Did a fuse burn out

• If the bike begins to feel funny as you go down the road, especially in a curve, stop as soon as it is safe to pull over and check your tires. You may have a flat. Check your suspension. You may have it adjusted incorrectly. Your owner’s manual is the best reference for proper settings and adjustments

• If you detect any problems with the motorcycle – doesn’t feel right, doesn’t handle right, doesn’t sound right – that you can’t figure out yourself, take it to your dealer. Think about the problem a little, so you can describe it to the service manager. Remember, an ounce of prevention is worth about a ton of cure. Pushing a motorcycle can get old very fast.

Until next week, Cheers and have fun safely!!

 

"ZORST"

JOHAN BADENHORST

Head Safety Officer