What should I check before I ride?

[Ginge]

What things should I specifically check each time I ride and periodically? Also, what tyre pressures should I run?

[slofox]

If you are at all like me...

MAKE SURE THE BLOODY TAIL BAG IS CLIPPED ON!!!

DAMHIK

[reemit]

If you are at all like me...

Make sure that your not just in a parallel universe before you set off.

[Gibbo89]

What things should I specifically check each time I ride and periodically? Also, what tyre pressures should I run?

welcome to KB mate, where'd ya get your bike from? hope you enjoy it. ahh, i don't know much bout this stuff (yet).



someone will be along soon to give you some good advice.

[jellywrestler]

your wallet, a condom and some $$$$

[slofox]

What things should I specifically check each time I ride and periodically? Also, what tyre pressures should I run?

Dunno about your tyre pressires - check the user manual.

Things to check?

That tyres are not flat.
That you have adequate fuel.
That you have your licence with you.
That nothing is obviously falling off or loose.

Check oil level every so often. (maybe weekly depending on how new/old bike is and how far ytou travel)
Lube chain every so often. (maybe every 500km)

There is probably more you can do but that about covers what I do. As I said in my first reply, I have a bad habit of heading off without clipping the seat bag on. It falls off when you forget this.

[hellokitty]

I have a bad habit of heading off without clipping the seat bag on. It falls off when you forget this.

I like to do a gear check as well - and I insist on silence - once I was distracted by the instructions on riding the new bike that I forgot to do my helmet up - luckily noticed after a few seconds! what a dick

maybe check the lights, idicators etc

[Slyer]

Dunno about your tyre pressires - check the user manual.

Things to check?

That tyres are not flat.
That you have adequate fuel.
That you have your licence with you.
That nothing is obviously falling off or loose.

Check oil level every so often. (maybe weekly depending on how new/old bike is and how far ytou travel)
Lube chain every so often. (maybe every 500km)

There is probably more you can do but that about covers what I do. As I said in my first reply, I have a bad habit of heading off without clipping the seat bag on. It falls off when you forget this.

My bag fell off the first speedbump from my house because it wasn't clipped on. Well, not clipped on because it doesn't have a clip but I normally put something heavy in it to make sure it doesn't fly up.
I didn't notice till 2 hours later when I was on the way back, amazingly it was still there when I got back just 100m down the road.

If you are going somewhere at night it is a good idea to check that your tail light and brake light work seeing as you only have one of each compared to a car.

[marty]

have a look at the chain, tyre tread/pressure, make sure the disc lock is off...check wallet, condoms, phone, balaclava, earplugs

[slofox]

- and I insist on silence - once I was distracted by the instructions on riding the new bike that I forgot to do my helmet up - luckily noticed after a few seconds! what a dick

It's usually when I break the regular routine that I forget...

My bag fell off the first speedbump from my house because it wasn't clipped on. Well, not clipped on because it doesn't have a clip but I normally put something heavy in it to make sure it doesn't fly up.
I didn't notice till 2 hours later when I was on the way back, amazingly it was still there when I got back just 100m down the road.
.

My worst was when I crossed the entire city and discovered the bag had fallen off when I stopped to do the banking. The book was in the bag. Containing over $500...it was still on the side of the road forty minutes later when I returned to find it. Luckily...

[wysper]

All good mechanical stuff.

For me, mindset. Get in the right frame of mind. Good clear thoughts.
And check your ego at the door.

And all the good mechanical stuff mentioned earlier.

[wysper]

My worst was when I crossed the entire city and discovered the bag had fallen off when I stopped to do the banking. The book was in the bag. Containing over $500...it was still on the side of the road forty minutes later when I returned to find it. Luckily...

A couple of times I have left my bike parked in town for hours with the key in the ignition. Then freaked out on the way to the bike that I can't find the bike key. Frantically worry where I may have dropped it during the intervening hours. Then freak again when I realise I have left the keys in the ignition!!!! Luckily I only ride bikes no one wants to steal.

[p.dath]

What things should I specifically check each time I ride and periodically? Also, what tyre pressures should I run?

How often do you ride? There are things that only need to be checked weekly, monthly, etc. So if you riding every day you don't need to perform the same checks as if you are riding once a fortnight.

[Stirts]

I like to do a gear check as well

Make sure you don't need to go poos or wees before getting into your gear too!

[Corse1]

I always have a quick visual once over as well which might pick up anything untoward like oil level (I have sight glass on duc) clutch and brake fluid levels, Chain tension, anything that might have vibrated loose, oil leaks etcetc. Sounds a lot but only takes a minute or two.

+1 on the disc lock