Safe Riding - Summer Checks

With the last of the salt being washed off the roads by the April showers and the UK roads being drenched in the early summer sun its time for the biking community to dust off their bikes and prepare for the biking season.

However with the majority of motorcycling accidents happening at the begining of the summer season what precautions should you be taking before you set off on your bike for the first time this year?

Bike Checks - The first thing to do before you jump onto your bike this year is to have an important check over the bike before setting off. This is especially important if the bike has been garaged all winter. Important checks to make are fluid levels, chain tightness, tyre pressures and tyre condition. By spending a few moments to have a good look over the bike can identify problems that could lead to accident resulting in injury and increased bike insurance.

Gear Checks - The next check to make is that all your safety equipment is in good order. Make sure that all you equipment fits in the correct fashion as poor fitting equipment can lead to severe injury in the event of an accident. Make sure that visors are clean to aid in your visibility to avoid accident which could wipe out your no claims bonus.

Paperwork Checks - Make sure that all your paperwork is correct and up to date. Be sure that all your services are up to date as this can eliminate breakdown worries involved with riding a machine that has sat stationary all year. Make sure that your road tax is up to date; failure to check could result in a fixed fine. Be sure that your MOT is valid because you can expect to be fined and have penalty points added to your licence which can raise bike insurance premiums if your MOT is out of date. Finally be sure to renew your bike insurance policy before setting off as failure to do so can leave you footing the bill for accident costs and facing prosecution or disqualification.

Personal Checks - Finally be sure to check you're riding style at the beginning of the season. Make sure that you ease back into your beloved hobby, don't push yourself, and remember that you will be rusty after a long winter break. Pushing yourself too quickly can lead to accident resulting in increased bike insurance, injury or even death.