The sun is finally out, the diary is clear and there is a proper ride calling your name. Before you thumb the starter and disappear over the horizon, ten minutes in the driveway can be the difference between a brilliant day out and a roadside sulk.
Here is the run through we would give our own bikes before a big summer trip. We have split it into the checks you can easily do yourself and the ones worth letting us cast an eye over, especially if your bike has been sat since last autumn.
The five minute driveway check
None of this needs tools or know-how. If anything looks off, that is exactly what we are here for.
Tyres
Check your pressures cold, before you set off, and look at the tread depth. Just as important is the condition of the rubber itself. Bikes that have been stood over winter can develop cracks in the sidewall or flat spots, and neither is something you want to discover halfway round a bend.
Chain and sprockets
Give the chain a look for tension and make sure it is clean and lubed. A dry or slack chain is one of the most common things we see, and one of the easiest to sort before a long day.
Brakes
Squeeze the lever and press the pedal. You want firm, not spongy, and you want plenty of pad left. If either feels different to how you remember, do not set off on a big ride until it is checked.
Lights and indicators
Front, back, brake light and both sets of indicators. It takes thirty seconds and it is the sort of thing that catches people out on the first proper ride of the year.
Oil and fluids
Check your oil level on the sight glass or dipstick and top up if you need to. While you are there, a quick glance at the coolant reservoir does no harm.
Cables and controls
Throttle should snap back cleanly, the clutch should feel right, and nothing should be fraying, sticking or notchy. Trust your hands here. If it feels wrong, it usually is.
The bits worth letting us take a look at
Some things are harder to judge on the driveway, and this is where a quick workshop visit pays for itself before the miles pile on:
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Brake fluid condition and pad wear, properly measured
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Coolant level and strength
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Fork seals and suspension, especially if the bike has been standing
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Anything that has been "fine for now" since last autumn
If your bike is due a service anyway, a pre-summer slot is the smart time to book it. You get peace of mind and a bike that is ready for the season.
One last thing before you go
Waterproofs packed even on a sunny forecast, phone charged, a drink for the warm miles and a small tool roll. Simple stuff, but it turns a good ride into an easy one.
Ready for the off?
Give your bike the once over, and if anything on this list gives you pause, book it in with us before the summer diary fills up. Our workshop gets busy the moment the weather turns, so a little forward planning means you spend the good weeks riding rather than waiting.
Book a pre-summer check online, give us a call, or pop in for a chat and a coffee.
