Motorcycles 101: Riding strategies - machine

August 13, 9:36 PMKansas City Motorcycle ExaminerEric Rossiter

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Lost 2 hours riding at Sturgis due to poor maintenance

If you've been following the bouncing ball along the trail of 1's and 0's you've already checked out What is a Riding Strategy and have began to formulate one in your mind.  A good riding strategy contains equal parts man and machine, and today the Iron Steed is our focus.

Mechanical lapses, as well as mental lapses, will get you in a world of hurt really fast. The weight bearing structure and supporting tissue, organs, and membranes that make up a bipedal carbon-based unit, don't take kindly to being launched onto the asphalt at any speed, much less 60+ MPH.

Every good rider, and motor pool Sgt, knows about BDA's.  BDA's are your Before, During and After checks.  Every mechanized vehicle ever known to man has parts and accessories that should be checked and/or receive planned maintenance before operation, during operation, and after operation.  Failure to maintain said mechanized vehicle can cause bad things that lead to big trouble.

Our first stop on the riding strategy education train is going to be in Louisville, where the National Motorcycle Travel Examiner, Patty Davis, has put pen to paper, (metaphorically) and created an awesome piece on T-CLOCS, so I'm not going to re-invent the wheel.  Read it.  Heed it.  T-CLOCS is the BDA for the two-wheeled enthusiast. Memorize the checks and use them every day. 

Getting spanked for costing the group 2 hours riding in Sturgis

I can not stress to you enough how unforgiving your scoot is going to be if you don't keep her clean, happy, and well maintained. Keep the oil changed and run the proper fuel octane.  A little investment periodically is a lot cheaper than an expensive major repair down the road because you can't be troubled with a little thing like proper maintenance.  And of course Murphy's designates that if you don't take care of your investment, said expensive major repair will be necessary while you're on that once-in-a-lifetime journey that you've planned for years.  Make sure your tires are up to par too.  You really don't want to find out for sure if your sphincter will hold up that 800 pound heated vibrator in the event of a blowout at 75.  Good rubber good tread, good rider not dead.  I know it's corny, but if it helps one rider remember to check their tires and tire pressure, then it's worth that lofty smirk you just sent my way.

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