Step 3
Step 3: Get out & play
You passed your licensing test with flying colours. You learned all about the different types of bikes and found the perfect one for you. Now the fun really begins! Before heading out on your first ride – in fact, before any time you ride - here are a few things to remember.
Take care of the unexpected
Before each ride, it’s important to inspect your motorcycle and make sure any problem you find is corrected. A careful pre-ride inspection and good maintenance are especially important, not only for safety, but because having a breakdown, or even a flat tire, can be a major inconvenience.
Preparing for a ride
A safe and enjoyable ride begins with good planning and preparation. Always ride with at least one other person in case you have troubles or let someone know where you’re going and when you expect to return.
Before riding, take time to get acquainted with your motorcycle and how it works. To protect your investment, we urge you to take responsibility for keeping your motorcycle well maintained.
Scheduled service is a must, of course, but it’s just as important to observe break-in guidelines and perform all pre-ride and other periodic checks detailed in your owner’s manual. We also recommend that you read your owner’s manual before you ride – it’s full of facts, instructions, safety information and helpful tips.
What to Take with you
What you take with you during a ride depends on how long you expect to ride, how far you might go and how experienced you or your companions are. We recommend that you always take water, a snack, a first aid kit and your owner’s manual. How much weight you put on your motorcycle, and how you load it, are important to your safety. Improperly loading your motorcycle can affect its stability and handling. Any time you ride with a passenger or cargo, you should adhere to the guidelines and other information in your owner’s manual. The weight of added accessories will reduce the maximum cargo weight you can carry. If you require more information on the cargo you can carry on your motorcycle, speak to your Honda dealer.
Pre-ride inspection
For your safety, it is very important to take a few moments before each ride to walk around your motorcycle and check its condition. If you detect any problem; be sure you take care of it, or have it corrected by your Honda dealer.
Check the levels of engine oil, fuel and coolant, and look for leaks.
Check the condition and the pressure of the tires.
Check the throttle for smooth opening and full closing in all steering positions.
Check that the engine stop switch works properly.
Check the operation of the front and rear brakes and make sure there is no brake fluid leakage.
Check the condition and amount of slack in the drive chain.
Check that the headlight, tail/brake light, turn signals, and horn function properly.
Check that the engine shuts off when the side stand is deployed.
For more information, refer to your owner’s manual and speak to your local Honda dealer.
