Whether you want to be a "Bad Boy", "Biker Dude", or "Biker
Chick", you have to start somewhere. Of course you probably already know
which motorcycle you want to get, but have you thought about what all
you will need to do to take care of your motorcycle and to stay legal
and safe on the road? Be sure that you know your state laws for
motorcyclists, and how to maintain your new bike.
Every state in
the US requires that you at least have minimum motorcycle insurance.
Different insurance companies have different packages. You will want to
think about how you will be using your motorcycle and what all you want
your insurance to cover. If you ride it every now and then on the
weekends, the minimum coverage may be just enough for you, however, if
you plan to use your motorcycle as your main means of transportation,
you are going to want more than the minimum coverage available. Also, in
order to legal ride your motorcycle you need your Class M License. The
can be obtained through your local DMV after taking the proper courses
needed. You can go ahead and purchase a motorcycle from a dealership
without proof of a license. They may not let you ride it home, but hook
it to a trailer instead. Whichever the case may be, please stay safe and
follow the law. Get your Class M License and state minimum motorcycle
insurance. Having your license and insurance is important, but also
taking care of your motorcycle is also very important. Even going over
just the basics can keep you safe while you are cruising.
You will
want to check your owner's manual to find out what type of oil you use
and how often you should check it. This isn't the same for every bike,
for some it depends on the make and model of your motorcycle. Just as
different cars require different gas or oil. The average time to change
your oil is possibly around every 3500 miles. If you aren't sure, check
your owner's manual, ask a mechanic, or call the dealership and ask.
Tire
pressure is also very important for maintaining a motorcycle. Your tire
pressure can change for several reasons, the season, the temperature,
humidity, and also your riding style. Air pressure can affect the way
your bike rides, so you want to make sure that your tires have the right
pressure. The proper tire pressure should be written on the sides of
your tires, if you are not sure, check your owner's manual. If the tire
looks dried out or is cracking, they are no longer safe to ride on.
Also, check your chain and make sure it is well oiled and doesn't kink
during a full rotation.
Another very important thing to check are
you brakes and rotors. When you use your brakes, do you feel a pulsing
or a grinding? If you feel a pulsing, it is possible that you need to
get your rotors fixed or replaced. If you feel a grinding, this could
mean that your brake pads are shot and need to be replaced or they will
start to destroy your rotors. When you use your brakes, if it feels
spongy, then you are probably in need of a new brake line.
Take
just the basic steps to take care of your new or used motorcycle will
help keep you and others on the road. Be sure to check your bike and
repair anything that is broken after it has been idle for a while, for
example after the winter, you will want to double check your oil, tires,
and brakes before you take it out for you first spring or summer spin.
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