The following article is provided with the permission of the American Motorcycle Association (AMA).  For information on the AMA please go to their website www.AMADirectLink.com or contact them at 13515 Yarmouth Drive, Pickerington OH 43147, 614-856-1900.  For questions related to membership, call 800-AMA-JOIN.

7 Tips for a New Bike – A pre-ride checklist for your ride’s maiden voyage

Author:  Billy Mehl

American Motorcyclist magazine, May 2005

There’s nothing like the feeling of riding away from the dealership on a brand-new motorcycle. 

But it’s important that you don’t let that feeling cloud your mind as you prepare for your bike’s maiden journey.

That’s easier said than done, of course, but checking out a few important details on your new machine before you hit the road is not only good business, it’s also good for your personal safety.

The reason is simple.  New bikes come to the dealership in a crate.  They’re mostly assembled, but several parts—things like wheels, handlebars, and even some electrical assemblies—still must be bolted or plugged together.  That work is done by one of the dealer techs.

Before you take delivery of your machine, all that assembly work is supposed to be checked thoroughly to ensure that the machine runs well and is safe to operate.  But that doesn’t mean mistakes don’t happen.  The techs are only human, and nobody is perfect.  I know, because I was a motorcycle tech myself for more than 20 years.

So here’s a bit of what I learned to check on new machines.  Some of the items in the list below may seem obvious, but they’re all easy to overlook when you’re in the grip of new-bike fever:

1.      Get familiar with the machine

When you pick up your new bike, the salesperson should go over it with you, showing you all the controls, where the tool kit is located, and so on.

Be sure to have him show you the right way to check the oil; because most motorcycles are shipped without fluids, it’s a good way to be sure that the crankcase has been filled.  Also check that you can see fluid in the hydraulic-brake and clutch windows.

Then, have the salesman show you the proper starting procedure, because most new bikes have kill switches tied to sidestands and clutch levers.

If you have any questions or don’t understand something about your machine, ask.

2.      Verify the electrics

Part of the final set-up of a motorcycle at the dealership involves hooking up several electrical components.  So make sure everything works as it should.

On numerous occasions I’ve seen new bikes that aren’t right.  You push the left turn signal, and the front left indicator lights up, but so does the right rear light!  It’s easier to have it fixed before you leave.

Also, check the high beam and horn button.  One thing that often gets forgotten is the engine kill switch.  After starting the engine, flip the switch to make sure it does its job.

Lastly, make sure the front brake lever and rear pedal both trigger the brake light.  If the light doesn’t come on as soon as you start braking, now’s the time to get it adjusted.

3.      Check chain or final drive tension 

Because some bikes come from the factory without the wheels bolted up, it’s worth checking to be sure chain tension was set right.

Not having enough tension could result in a thrown chain; too much tension results in premature wear and interferes with rear shock travel.

Have the tension check while you’re sitting on the bike, and if the salesman can’t tell you definitively that it’s right, ask to speak to a tech.

4.      Give the machine a careful once-over

Get down and take a close look at the fasteners all around.  Tug at things like handlebars, brake calipers, foot pegs—anything that’s held on by a bolt that someone may have forgotten to torque.

If anything seems amiss, have it fixed.

5.      Understand the fuel system

Check to see how much gas is in the tank, since nothing will ruin your day faster than running out of fuel on the way home.

While you’re at it, have the salesperson show you where the fuel petcock resides, and make sure it’s set to the “on” position, not “reserve.”  And practice switching to reserve quickly, since you won’t have time to perfect your technique on the road.

6.  Check the brakes

Reach down and rub your finger across the brake discs.  Now take a look at your finger.  If you have some black, oily residue on it, don’t go anywhere on that bike.

That substance is an oily, wax-like coating manufacturers put on new bikes to guard against corrosion.  It’s not a good thing to have on your brakes.  Get the dealer to clean it off immediately.

If you find this gunk, it’s quite possible that it has also contaminated our brake pads.  In that case, ask to have the pads replaced after the disc is cleaned.

Finally, before you leave the dealership, ride around the parking lot carefully and test the brakes to be sure they’re working OK.  And remember that new brake pads need time to bed-in, so it’ll be a while before you have full stopping power.  Ride accordingly.

7.  Take it easy for a while 

In terms of long-term safety, this is probably the most important bit of advice on this page:  Give yourself plenty of time to become accustomed to your new bike.

Research shows that your chance of being involved in a motorcycle accident goes up significantly when you’re on a machine that is new to you.  This is especially true if you’ve been away from motorcycling for a while, or if you’re switching to a different kind of bike—say, from a cruiser to a sport bike.

At your first opportunity, find an empty parking lot and practice turns and braking to get a feel for your new machine.  Nothing feels worse than dropping your new bike because you didn’t take time to get familiar with it. 

Also, consider blocking out time to take a refresher Motorcycle Safety Foundation course on your new machine.  To find a class near you, call 800-446-9227.

Last but not least, remember that owner’s manual the salesman showed you?  Once you get home, get it out and read it!  A lot of questions can be answered just by reading it.

Yes, this is a lot to keep in mind when you’re standing there in the dealership with the keys to your new motorcycle burning a hole in your hand and the open road calling. 

But if you take the time to verify that everything’s right, you’ll make sure nothing gets in the way of that wonderful new-bike feeling.

Last update: 05:08 PM Wednesday, August 3, 2005

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