What You Can Do In The Off-Season When You Can't Ride
For the motorcyclist, the winter season, especially here in Canada, is a time to dream of the next riding season, and what plans and places you can take in once the snow goes. It can be a long time from when you put your baby away until you can get back out on the road, so you might as well do some "prep" work, to both you and your bike, to help pass the days.
So, what can you do? Listed here are some ideas to get you started (they are by no means all you can do):
1. Read -I like to read about motorcycles and riding, whether it be on-line magazines, books, blogs, print material, or whatever. Most of what I read revolves around how I can can become a better over-all rider, because no matter how good you think you are and that there is nothing else to learn, you can always improve. In addition, I am also interested as to what is going on in the motorcycle industry, and the latest in safety and technology features, and this becomes my time to get caught up, and pass that information on to others. Besides, finding out what is new might "force" me to purchase a new product.
2. Register for a Course - As I said, no matter how good you think you are, you can still improve and learn new procedures. Why not invest in yourself and sign up for a motorcycle safety course? There are a number of organizations that offer Experienced Rider Courses (ERC) or Advanced Rider Courses (ARC). I have written about this before, the fact that we will spend thousands of dollars on "bling" for our bikes, or buy new riding apparel because it is tangible - you can see it. However, few are willing to to pay for a rider safety course that can help improve the skills one already has, and help reduce the possibility of a serious mishap. Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there. Carrying that knowledge with you does not add to the weight of the bike, and is easy to pack, and you and your bike will be better for it.
3. Owner's Manual - Re-introduce your self to your bike, and dig out the owner's manual, and give it a good read. There are many riders out there have never read their manual, for one reason or another. It does have all the information you need to make sure your bike is running correctly, and you might find items in the book that you did not know. If you bike did not come with an owner's manual, you may be able to download a copy from the manufacturers website, or from any a number of on-line sites that either have it for free to download, or for a small fee.
4. Service or Shop Manual - Let's take this one step further and look at buying an OEM Shop Manual, or one from Clymer or Haynes. These can be found in some bike shops or on-line, and they give you a better insight in how to do maintenance on your bike, and if you are so inclined, even the most complicated procedures for taking your bike apart and putting it back together again I have found my work shop manuals to be invaluable.
5. Purchase Tools - Are there any tools that you wished you had that might have helped you out with your bike over the past season, or this season? This is the time to make a list, based on your abilities and budget, of course, and get on it. There are many sources, such as dealerships or on-line.
6. Simple Maintenance -If you have access to your bike, you may want to do some simple maintenance using your Owner's or Work Shop Manual (and new tools) as a guide. Items such as checking or replacing the spark plugs, oil and filter change, chain cleaning and lube, check cables and lubricating them, and replacing brake fluid are just some of the items you can do to pass the time.
7. Exercise - Yes, exercise your body, just like you have been exercising your mind. Motorcycling is both a mental and physical sport, and each relies on the other to have the best riding experience. You will find that exercising, and also doing stretch exercises will allow you to handle your machine better in the coming season.
This is by no means everything that you can do to get prepared for the new season, but it can get you started, which is usually the hardest thing to do! And when you take your bike out for the first ride in the spring, you will be a better over-all motorcyclist than you were before.
So, what can you do? Listed here are some ideas to get you started (they are by no means all you can do):
1. Read -I like to read about motorcycles and riding, whether it be on-line magazines, books, blogs, print material, or whatever. Most of what I read revolves around how I can can become a better over-all rider, because no matter how good you think you are and that there is nothing else to learn, you can always improve. In addition, I am also interested as to what is going on in the motorcycle industry, and the latest in safety and technology features, and this becomes my time to get caught up, and pass that information on to others. Besides, finding out what is new might "force" me to purchase a new product.
2. Register for a Course - As I said, no matter how good you think you are, you can still improve and learn new procedures. Why not invest in yourself and sign up for a motorcycle safety course? There are a number of organizations that offer Experienced Rider Courses (ERC) or Advanced Rider Courses (ARC). I have written about this before, the fact that we will spend thousands of dollars on "bling" for our bikes, or buy new riding apparel because it is tangible - you can see it. However, few are willing to to pay for a rider safety course that can help improve the skills one already has, and help reduce the possibility of a serious mishap. Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it's not there. Carrying that knowledge with you does not add to the weight of the bike, and is easy to pack, and you and your bike will be better for it.
3. Owner's Manual - Re-introduce your self to your bike, and dig out the owner's manual, and give it a good read. There are many riders out there have never read their manual, for one reason or another. It does have all the information you need to make sure your bike is running correctly, and you might find items in the book that you did not know. If you bike did not come with an owner's manual, you may be able to download a copy from the manufacturers website, or from any a number of on-line sites that either have it for free to download, or for a small fee.
4. Service or Shop Manual - Let's take this one step further and look at buying an OEM Shop Manual, or one from Clymer or Haynes. These can be found in some bike shops or on-line, and they give you a better insight in how to do maintenance on your bike, and if you are so inclined, even the most complicated procedures for taking your bike apart and putting it back together again I have found my work shop manuals to be invaluable.
5. Purchase Tools - Are there any tools that you wished you had that might have helped you out with your bike over the past season, or this season? This is the time to make a list, based on your abilities and budget, of course, and get on it. There are many sources, such as dealerships or on-line.
6. Simple Maintenance -If you have access to your bike, you may want to do some simple maintenance using your Owner's or Work Shop Manual (and new tools) as a guide. Items such as checking or replacing the spark plugs, oil and filter change, chain cleaning and lube, check cables and lubricating them, and replacing brake fluid are just some of the items you can do to pass the time.
7. Exercise - Yes, exercise your body, just like you have been exercising your mind. Motorcycling is both a mental and physical sport, and each relies on the other to have the best riding experience. You will find that exercising, and also doing stretch exercises will allow you to handle your machine better in the coming season.
This is by no means everything that you can do to get prepared for the new season, but it can get you started, which is usually the hardest thing to do! And when you take your bike out for the first ride in the spring, you will be a better over-all motorcyclist than you were before.