James Deuce
8th February 2006, 12:18
HAnds up how many of you check your bike over before every ride? Or even when you clean your bike (or not like some ex-MV Agusta owners are wont to do).
Yes, bikes are very reliable and generally built to a high standard, but the stakes of one flat tyre, or one control not working as it should are much higher for us than something with a wheel at each corner to hold it up, and a barrier betwixt user and fellow idio... err road users.
So here's a short two minute checklist.
F.A.C.T.
Fuel - Make sure you've got some gas in there. It's a bugger to run out in the middle of nowhere. Pop the cap and look, check the gauge or trip meter when you turn the bike on, and if your bike has a fuel petcock, make sure it is in the "ON" position. Bit of a bugger to go for reserve and find it's already on reserve.
Attitude - Make sure the mental attitude you take out the door with you is relevant for piloting a vehicle that falls over by itself, has no passenger protection, and one that large truck and trailer units can run over without really noticing. Be aware that random events and chance also have a greater impact for a motorcyclist. A lot of the energy carried by a meteor is going to be soaked up by punching through the skin of a car, just prior to it's butterfly like transformation from meteor to meteorite. Practically no energy will be soaked up and the meteor uses your body as a temporary chrysalis on the way to meteorite-hood when out there enjoying your motorcycling experience.
Controls - Check that everything works and activates all the things it should. It will take less time to flick through high-beam, horn, indicators, brake switches, than it does to read this horribly cumbersome sentence. Make sure that cables and hydraulic hoses are attached and functioning.
Tyres - Make sure that they aren't utterly flat, have adequate tread, and no gross deformities or obvious cuts, nails, or screws. Try to remember to check your tyre pressures once a week, irrespective of how much you do or don't ride. One heat cycle may bleed 3 or 4 PSI, enough to affect steering and braking, ride quality, and the ability to hold a line in a corner.
6000 posts. Thank you for providing the facsimile of a life KB and SpankMe.
Yes, bikes are very reliable and generally built to a high standard, but the stakes of one flat tyre, or one control not working as it should are much higher for us than something with a wheel at each corner to hold it up, and a barrier betwixt user and fellow idio... err road users.
So here's a short two minute checklist.
F.A.C.T.
Fuel - Make sure you've got some gas in there. It's a bugger to run out in the middle of nowhere. Pop the cap and look, check the gauge or trip meter when you turn the bike on, and if your bike has a fuel petcock, make sure it is in the "ON" position. Bit of a bugger to go for reserve and find it's already on reserve.
Attitude - Make sure the mental attitude you take out the door with you is relevant for piloting a vehicle that falls over by itself, has no passenger protection, and one that large truck and trailer units can run over without really noticing. Be aware that random events and chance also have a greater impact for a motorcyclist. A lot of the energy carried by a meteor is going to be soaked up by punching through the skin of a car, just prior to it's butterfly like transformation from meteor to meteorite. Practically no energy will be soaked up and the meteor uses your body as a temporary chrysalis on the way to meteorite-hood when out there enjoying your motorcycling experience.
Controls - Check that everything works and activates all the things it should. It will take less time to flick through high-beam, horn, indicators, brake switches, than it does to read this horribly cumbersome sentence. Make sure that cables and hydraulic hoses are attached and functioning.
Tyres - Make sure that they aren't utterly flat, have adequate tread, and no gross deformities or obvious cuts, nails, or screws. Try to remember to check your tyre pressures once a week, irrespective of how much you do or don't ride. One heat cycle may bleed 3 or 4 PSI, enough to affect steering and braking, ride quality, and the ability to hold a line in a corner.
6000 posts. Thank you for providing the facsimile of a life KB and SpankMe.