Motorcycle maintenance checks

Take a quick walk around the bike, especially if it has been parked outside, unused for several days or recently worked on.

Tyres and wheels

• Look for a visibly soft tyre.
• Check for cuts, bulges, embedded objects, exposed cords or obvious damage.
• Look for anything loose or unusual around the wheels.

Do not ride a damaged or rapidly deflating tyre.

Brakes

• Make sure the front lever and rear pedal feel normal before moving away.
• Check that neither control has excessive travel or unusual sponginess.
• Look for fluid around brake components.
• Confirm the brake light responds to both controls where designed to do so.

Do not ride if braking has changed or fluid is leaking.

Lights, indicators and horn

Check the headlamp, tail light, brake light, indicators and horn. Make sure lamps, reflectors and the registration plate are clean and visible.

Leaks and controls

Look beneath the bike and around the engine, brakes, forks and cooling system. Check that the throttle returns normally, steering moves freely and the side stand retracts and stays secure.

Final drive

Look for an obviously loose, dry, damaged or derailed chain; a damaged belt; or unusual leakage or play around a shaft final drive.

The Highway Code advises checking tyre pressures and fluid levels at least weekly.

Tyre pressures

Use a reliable gauge before the journey, while the tyres are cold. Use the motorcycle manufacturer's pressure for the load being carried—not the maximum figure moulded into the tyre sidewall.

Inspect tread and condition across the full width and circumference. For most motorcycles over 50cc, the legal tread minimum is 1mm throughout a continuous band covering at least three-quarters of the tread breadth, but legality is not the same as good wet-weather performance.

Engine oil

Use the handbook method. Depending on the motorcycle, it may specify:

• a cold or warmed engine;
• a waiting period after switching off;
• the side stand, centre stand or bike held upright; and
• a sight glass or dipstick procedure.

Do not overfill. Investigate an unexplained drop or leak.

Brake fluid and coolant

Check the marked reservoirs without opening a hot or pressurised cooling system. A falling brake-fluid level can reflect pad wear or leakage; do not simply top it up without understanding why.

Chain, belt or shaft

For a chain, inspect condition, lubrication and slack using the handbook method. Check belts for damage and use the specified inspection procedure. Look for leakage or abnormal play around a shaft drive.

• Inspect a drive chain and lubricate it when the handbook or chain-product instructions require.
• Remove corrosive road salt using a motorcycle-safe cleaning method.
• Check that brakes operate normally after washing.
• Look for water around electrical accessories and connectors.
• Never direct a pressure washer closely at chain seals, bearings, electrical parts or other vulnerable components.

Complete both the pre-ride and weekly checks, then also:

• adjust tyre pressures for luggage or a passenger according to the handbook;
• check luggage and accessories are secure and clear of wheels, chain, exhaust and controls;
• confirm the next scheduled service will not fall due during the trip;
• inspect brake-pad life if it can be viewed safely;
• check the MOT, tax, insurance and breakdown arrangements;
• carry the correct key or fob and any model-specific emergency information.

If anything has recently been adjusted or repaired, have the work checked before relying on the motorcycle for a long trip.

Scheduled servicing can include oil, filters, brake fluid, coolant, spark plugs, valve-clearance inspection, bearings, suspension, diagnostic checks and other model-specific work.

The interval may be based on mileage, elapsed time or whichever comes first. Do not substitute this checklist for the manufacturer's maintenance schedule.