TextPreparing Your ATV or Motorcycle for Riding Season
The South Carolina weather is heating up, and you know what that means: Riding season. Before you set out on your chosen trails or roads, get your ride prepped and ready to go, so you can confidently set out on your next adventure.
Redline Powersports here in Myrtle Beach has all the tips and tricks for getting your ATV or motorcycle in perfect shape for riding season. Keep reading to learn more about prepping your ATV or motorcycle for the road ahead.
Inspection and Maintenance
When you pull your motorcycle or ATV out of storage for the first time this season, give it a full visual inspection. Take a walk around your vehicle and look under the surface to see if there’s any wear and tear or anything else in need of repair. If you’re motorcycle or ATV has been sitting in storage, be on the lookout for nests or anything that has been chewed through by pests or critters.
Check for any fluid leaks, water damage, and loose chains, nuts, and bolts. Make sure you have proper air pressure in your tires and that they’re in good condition. Take a close look at your handlebar grips for flat spots, cracks, or other damage. Don’t forget about your brake pads - replace them if need be and get an alignment if you notice one brake pad is worn down more than the other. Lastly, check to see if your battery has life, especially if your ATV or motorcycle endured a cold winter.
Safety Equipment and Gear
When you’re out for a ride, safety should always be top priority, so make sure your safety equipment and gear is in good condition and you have everything you need before you go. Here’s a quick checklist of what to make sure you have packed before you first ride:
- A well-fitting, DOT-compliant helmet that is not cracked, broken, or compromised in any way.
- Eye protection
- Long pants
- Long-sleeved shirt or jacket
- Gloves
- Over-the-ankle boots
Purchase reflective tape to attach to your helmets and clothing to increase your visibility to other riders or drivers. A loud horn and a bright headlight are also great to have on hand to help get others’ attention. Soft, cloth rags and anti-fog can come in handy for cleaning off your headlights, face shield, goggles, or windshield.
No matter the weather or temperature, safety gear is a must on the road. Always have rain gear on board in case you experience inclement weather. Pack cold weather gear or layers if you’re expecting the temperature to drop at any point during your ride. Check the weather before you go, so you’re not surprised by any pop-up weather events.
Fuel and Fluids
Regardless of when you last changed your oil, replace it before your first ride of the season since stagnant oil can become congealed. Similar to oil, fuel can also go bad if it sits for a long period, so check your fuel system too for extra measure.
To ensure your ATV or motorcycle runs smoothly this system, invest in high-octane fuel and a high-quality system cleaning product. This will increase the longevity of your machine and help it perform to the best of its ability each time you start it up. Always check your owner’s manual first to see if there are specific recommendations for fuel or cleaning products for your model. It is worth spending a little extra money on high-quality products to avoid troubles like deposit buildup, starting issues, acceleration problems, and engine shutdowns in the middle of riding season.
Storage and Transportation
If you’re transporting your machine to and from your destination, it’s important to be prepared for a safe transport. Before securing your vehicle for transport, turn off the fuel valve, then empty the fuel line by turning on your ATV and running the engine until it is no longer running. This will minimize fuel vapors in the air during transport. Also, have at least four tie-downs on hand for securing your vehicle, as rope can stretch while transporting.
Once riding season is over, it’s also important to properly prepare your machine for storage. Give your ride a thorough cleaning to knock off any dirt, residue, or buildup that may accumulated during your rides. Drain your fuel, as gas can go bad if left sitting for long periods of time. You can put fuel stabilizer in the tank to keep the fuel system from rusting, especially if you live in a humid climate.
Inflate your tires, give your engine an oil change, and get a new filter. Lastly, cover your ATV or motorcycle and get excited about what the next riding season has in store.
Visit Redline Powersports in Myrtle Beach Today!
Heading out for your first ride of the season feels like Christmas morning, but don’t set out on the road or trails without first preparing your machine. If you’re looking for new parts, need help with maintenance, or want to upgrade your ride for the upcoming season, Redline Powersports is here to help. Come by our store in Myrtle Beach or shop our inventory online!
RedLine Powersports Myrtle Beach is an authorized Can-Am®, Honda®, Kawasaki, Polaris®, Sea-Doo, Spyder®, Suzuki, Yamaha, KTM, TrailMaster, Manitou, Alumacraft, Four Winns, Glastron, Scarab, Wellcraft dealership serving the Myrtle Beach, Conway, Loris, Aynor, Little River area in South Carolina. We are proud to carry a large selection of new and pre-owned inventory.
When you are ready to invest in a new ATV, motorcycle, UTV, PWC or Boat, our friendly and knowledgeable sales, financing, service and parts departments are prepared to make sure your experience is outstanding, from assisting while you're making your choice to ongoing maintenance and customization.
At RedLine Powersports Myrtle Beach, we value the opportunity to create a long-term relationship with our customers, and we do that by giving you the best customer service available. We're your local and trusted powersports and marine dealer - visit us today.