Whats your pre ride routine?

Metalface Mark

Metalface Mark

Metalface Mark

Soldato
Joined
26 Dec 2005
Posts
16,138
Location
Paisley
Basically, before you take your girl out for a ride, do you follow a checklist to make sure things are in tip top shape, chain, oil, tyres etc or do you just open the throttle and go?

Another question is how often do you oil your chain?
 
I used to check over mine every weekend so I knew the basics were in order, and usually lubed up the chain if it needed it at the same time.
Before actually riding though I press the tyres to make sure they are to my liking, check the brakes are working, my helmet is done up and I'm good to go :)
 
I check my tyre pressure and oil every few weeks. I lube the chain once a week on a weekend.

I try and give it a good clean and then treat it to some chrome cleaner once a month or so.

Before a single ride, usually that all my gear is done up/fastened and I have everything I need on me I guess.
 
Check lights every day.

Check tyres, oil level once a week.

Lube chain approx every 200 miles, either after re-fuelling or after a serious run out.
 
I need to get a stand of some sort for lubing my chain, im a bit unsure what I need though (id rather not spend too much after just buying the bike, gear and insurance etc).

Any recommendations on what I should go for?
 
Metalface Mark said:
I need to get a stand of some sort for lubing my chain, im a bit unsure what I need though (id rather not spend too much after just buying the bike, gear and insurance etc).

Any recommendations on what I should go for?
Click to expand...

I'd go for an Abba stand - bit more expensive but very useful kit, and easier to use by yourself
 
Wow, I probably own the likeliest bike to break down and I rarely check.

I give it the general checks every now and then (could be a couple of days, could be a couple of weeks!), but generally, no checks, stick my gear on, make sure the temp needle has started to rise (damn rockers!).

In all seriousness, this is my routine:

Put gear on, check bag for keys, wallet and bacci
Roll a rolli
Pick up helmet, check visor is clean
Lock house, key in bike
Check the chain
Start the bike up
Light my rolli and start smoking
Have a general look around the bike
Check tyres with a press of my palm
Finish smoke
Helmet on
Ride it like I stole it!

ags
 
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Sagalout said:
I'd go for an Abba stand - bit more expensive but very useful kit, and easier to use by yourself
Click to expand...

I second that. Abba stand has made my life much easier :)

I'm small so struggled to get the rear end up on a paddock myself. With the abba stand I can get the bike up no problem on my own and can even then slip a paddock under the rear if I need to pre-load the suspension for chain checking etc :)

It'll cost you more at first but you'll be able to use it on most bikes just by changing the adapters :)
 
As for checks...

Every ride I check tyre pressures. I have those valve caps that tell you if you've lost any pressure or not so it only takes a glance.

I check the chain, oil, coolant, lights, break fluid once a week ish depending on whether or not I've been riding at all.

I lube the chain every 200-300 miles with Wurth dry chain lube. Or I'll also do it after longer weekend ride-outs :)
 
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MADMAN69UK said:
As for checks...

Every ride I check tyre pressures. I have those valve caps that tell you if you've lost any pressure or not so it only takes a glance.

I check the chain, oil, lights, break fluid once a week ish depending on whether or not I've been riding at all.

I lube the chain every 200-300 miles with Wurth dry chain lube. Or I'll also do it after longer weekend ride-outs :)
Click to expand...

What valve caps are these? I'm bloody lazy so this sounds like a good idea for me!

I don't do many checks, once a month I make sure my lights are all working. Oil every month. Chain every month (scottoiled). Brake pads once a month. Coolant, you guessed it, once a month. :s
 
Metalface Mark said:
I need to get a stand of some sort for lubing my chain, im a bit unsure what I need though (id rather not spend too much after just buying the bike, gear and insurance etc).

Any recommendations on what I should go for?
Click to expand...

Sagalout said:
I'd go for an Abba stand - bit more expensive but very useful kit, and easier to use by yourself
Click to expand...

Another thumbs up for the Abba stand. Great bit of kit.
 
My pre ride routine usually involves giving it a quick once over. Check that the coolant & oil levels are still present and aren't ****ing out the bottom. Have a look for any foreign objects in the tyres or sidwalls (gravel drive). Check the chain tension & rear wheel alignment briefly (sometimes done after a ride while the rear is up on a stand). Tyre pressures I'll do depending on how much I'm riding it's just a weekend thing for me at the moment.

Disc lock & water bottle in bag. Back protector on & done up. Jacket on & done up. Check my boots are done up and that my kevlar jeans aren't going to get caught or snagged on anything. Headphones in & lid on & fastened. Gloves on. Bike on :) Ocassionally I do realise I've ridden off with my helmet not fastened however it doesn't seem to happen any more.

If you do all your checks at the end of a ride then you should in theory just be okay to hop right on and ride the next time.
 
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