Spring Awakening: Prepping Your Harley-Davidson

Posted by Lisa DiFalco on

Prepping Your Harley Davidson Motorscan Personal Diagnostic Tool Diagnostica

In some areas of the country, it may seem like winter will never end. The winter season has been a big tease in some areas, as riders get a taste of warmer weather, followed by a chilling nor’easter and a few more inches of snow. However, we can all look forward to the certainty that winter will soon end.

With the end of bone-chilling temps, riders will decide to begin taking their bike out for short spins and longer riders. Truly, there is nothing like blue skies, an open road, kicking back and enjoying the journey on a favorite Harley-Davidson. But, in order to get ready to take advantage of the changing seasons, riders may need to put in a little elbow grease to ensure a safe and pleasurable ride.

Learn more about how to get bikes ready for riding in spring today.

How to Get Bikes Ready for Spring Adventures

Riders can begin by checking the wheels and tires of a bike. Feel the tread and look for any inconsistencies, properly inflate tires and inspect wheels for changes, such as new dents and cracks. It may be useful to check over the fluids, including coolant, fuel, engine oil and hydraulic fluid. Fluids that have degraded need replacing and those running low may need to be topped-off. Some may want to change the oil, as well as the oil filter. Look for any leaks and address such issues before heading out on a longer trip.

Any Harley-owner needs to be aware of the vital parts of their bike, such as the battery. After a long winter, it will be necessary to reinstall a battery that has been removed. In addition, the cables should be connected tightly and bike owners should be on the lookout for signs of corrosion, or unusual debris around these areas. This can make for inconsistent electrical performance. 

It is necessary to review the condition of other areas of a bike, including the chassis, the controls and the stand. Those who are mechanically inclined can refer to their motorcycle owner’s manual for more details. Others may choose to have their bike readied for spring rides by a dealer or trusted mechanic. Harley-owners may want to refer to the T-CLOCs inspection checklist from the Motorcycle Safety Foundation as they begin to prep their bike. Remember that is not only the bike that needs a going over, but one’s gear as well. Helmets may need to be replaced and some manufacturers recommend doing so within a period of two to four years after purchase. Treat leather riding gear and make sure any rain gear is in good condition.

Spring: A Great Time to Rent a Harley

While some are working on their bike during this transitioning season, it may be fun to rent a bike at a local Harley-Davidson dealership and take a spin on one of the new Harley-Davidson models out this year. A few rental options include:

After making adjustments, see how the bike handles on shorter rides before taking her out on a longer one. In addition, make sure to check for any trouble codes and address any concerns that may affect performance or safety. Diagnostica offers the handy plug-and-play diagnostic tool that makes it a breeze to diagnose potential system issues using a user-friendly smartphone app. Do you want to share resources or personal experiences on how to get a winter bike ready to come out of hibernation? Comment below, email news@diagnostica.tools or tweet @DiagnosticaNews.

 

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