Always look your bike over

[SHUMBA]

A planned ride almost didn't happen today.. I sat on my Tenere and something didn't quite feel just right. I released the side stand and tried to push it back in my garage to get the exhaust closer to the open air. It wouldn't budge. It wasn't on the usual lean to the left when on the side stand down.
I got off the bike and horrors!! My read tyre was flatter than a pancake! I had recently checked the tyre pressures a few days ago, and all was good. I must have caused the valve to stick and made it leak. I have a 12 volt socket mounted onto my handlebars and it shares battery power with the battery tender cable. I also have a 12 volt air pump. I inflated the tyre sufficiently to inspect for leaks and immediately observed the valve leaking. Fortunately, I had handy, a short stem valve that I replaced the leaker with. I inflated the tyre to about 45 psi and checked the valve for leaks. All good, whew. Went riding all day and visited three motorcycle shops to pick up a few things along with a heated 12 volt vest. Our ride began with temperatures at approximately 7 C (40 F), and it "warmed up" to about 11 -13 C in the afternoon with high winds. The vest was magic!! The vest is made in Canada by Freedom Heated Clothing.
Moral to my story, Do a walk around and kick the tyres before you light the fire. Shame shame on me!!
SHUMBA

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[Sierra1]

There's been a couple of times over the years that I've done that. Sit on the bike to back it out. . . . and instantly know the tire is flat. I check the air pressure before every ride. Only takes a few minutes, and it gives you peace of mind.

 

[SHUMBA]

There's been a couple of times over the years that I've done that. Sit on the bike to back it out. . . . and instantly know the tire is flat. I check the air pressure before every ride. Only takes a few minutes, and it gives you peace of mind.

Yup, only common sense.
SHUMBA

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[ballisticexchris]

It's easy enough to miss something so obvious. Happy you are ok and everything worked out. Ending the day with 10 fingers and 10 toes makes you the winner!!

 

[SHUMBA]

It's easy enough to miss something so obvious. Happy you are ok and everything worked out. Ending the day with 10 fingers and 10 toes makes you the winner!!

Agree, as they say "ride to live and live to ride"....
SHUMBA

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[yoyo]

Advanced riders in the UK use a series of checks that should be done before each ride, the current set of POWDDERSS checks is as follows:

Petrol - Simple, do you have enough!
Oil - Check the oil level and for leaks around the engine
Water - Check the coolant level and again for leaks
Drive - Check the chain (lubed, correct tension) drive shaft for leaks, check brake pads and free rotation of wheels
Damage - Check over looks for and damage that might have occurred on the last ride, more so if you ride off-road
Electrics - Check lights including brake lights and indicators, horn etc
Rubber - Chech tires for pressures, rotate both wheels in turn, look for debris in the tire, splits etc, also check footpegs, hand grips.
Steering - Move the bars left to right, check for smooth operation, and cables not caught up on anything.
Suspension - Check for leaks on forks and shock, bounce the front to ensure smooth operation.

It sounds like a lot of work to do but with practise it takes a couple of minutes, I tend to do it the night before a ride, once you've got the hang of it you can check multiple things at the same time, coolant at the same time as oil and rear shock, brakes the same time as tires, just go from front to back.

As a minimum I would check tire pressures and look all over them for any debris I might have picked up, picking a nail or screw up on the way back on the last ride could cause issues when you go out the next time. Also oil level and for leaks, lastly lights, the brake lights are easy to check as you are leaving, there is bound to be something you can see a reflection of in the mirrors, check front and back to ensure both switches work.

 

[MIKE R]

I agrees with Yoyo above and in reality it only takes a few seconds, This is my routine:-

I usually wipe the bike down after each ride, even if only to remove the dead flies etc so it's inspected for damage at the same time.

When going for a ride I:-

Manhandle the bike out of the garage which involves testing the steering.

Look at garage floor as pushing out/closing door for any fluid leaks

Once on the drive switch on the engine and check the fuel level (I always reset the trip when I fill up and have it on the first page of the info) and look at the light reflections in the garage door. Check indicators

I always carry my house keys etc in my top box so whilst I'm doing that I can check the rear light and indicators. Quick brake light check

Sit on the bike ready to go and bounce the suspension

Whilst sat on the bike roll the bike down the drive using/testing the front brake and getting a 'rough feel' of the tyres

Set off from home and check tyre pressures on my accurate TPMS and do a moving brake test

Once away from houses check the horn

The safety checks add seconds the the normal routine. It's all about being observant when you leave the house and can be adapted to your own individual circumstances or when on tour parking in different places



Mike

 

[SHUMBA]

I agrees with Yoyo above and in reality it only takes a few seconds, This is my routine:-

I usually wipe the bike down after each ride, even if only to remove the dead flies etc so it's inspected for damage at the same time.

When going for a ride I:-

Manhandle the bike out of the garage which involves testing the steering.

Look at garage floor as pushing out/closing door for any fluid leaks

Once on the drive switch on the engine and check the fuel level (I always reset the trip when I fill up and have it on the first page of the info) and look at the light reflections in the garage door. Check indicators

I always carry my house keys etc in my top box so whilst I'm doing that I can check the rear light and indicators. Quick brake light check

Sit on the bike ready to go and bounce the suspension

Whilst sat on the bike roll the bike down the drive using/testing the front brake and getting a 'rough feel' of the tyres

Set off from home and check tyre pressures on my accurate TPMS and do a moving brake test

Once away from houses check the horn

The safety checks add seconds the the normal routine. It's all about being observant when you leave the house and can be adapted to your own individual circumstances or when on tour parking in different places



Mike

All very good advice...all I can say is I'm glad I discovered the flat tyre in my garage.
As mentioned, I have a 12 volt socket on my handlebars and I carry both an air pump and a tubeless tyre repair kit.
Like to hear from someone who has had to put a plug into a hole in a tyre. I would only ride with a plugged tyre a very short distance at a much reduced speed and have a new tyre installed.
SHUMBA

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[Dirt_Dad]

Plugged tires many times. Unless the puncture is unusually large, always consider it a permanent fix and ride to the normal end of tire life.

Since going to the E07 Dakar I've never had to plug again.

 

[sorethumb]

I too do a pre-trip inspection every ride. First trip after any maintenance I do a more thorough inspection, because I always assume the guy who did the maintenance (Me) may have made a mistake.