Martynn Randall is technical editor at Haynes and has been with us for approaching 30 years. He's written more than 60 Haynes publications and has owned more than 85 cars and 60 motorbikes... so far!
Quite a lot of the world’s motorcyclists are like bats. No, they don’t sleep hanging upside down or have a taste for blood – but they DO tend to hibernate in winter. Gear gets stashed away in cupboards, the bike tends to get covered up, and the MotoGP season review is streamed on repeat. And over the course of a few chilly months, everything gets covered in dust – and that applies to you, too.
We’ve already covered the seven things you need to do to get your motorcycle ready for spring, but what about you – the organic thing that makes everything work as it should? You need to make sure that you, and all of your safety equipment, are as ready as can be, too.
Crash helmet
Given that this is the piece of safety kit that keeps your brain in working order, it’s wise to make sure your crash helmet is fit for purpose.
For a start, how old is it? The general rule of thumb is that a helmet should be replaced around five years from its date of manufacture, depending on how often you ride. If you ride every single day in life, that period is likely to be shorter. And if the shell of your helmet is chipped or damaged, you need to chuck it out and get a new lid.
Finally, if you’ve dropped the lid it’s wise to replace it because it could be cracked, and the worst time to find that out would be halfway through an accident.
As part of the helmet check, study any visors you have. If they’re scratched or blemished, it’s time for a new one, because these scratches will catch any sunlight, and could blind at crucial moments.
Gloves
Give these a thorough inspection. Looks for signs of perished or damaged fabric, and if any of the stitching has started to fail, it’s time for a new pair. After all, if you’re unfortunate enough to fall off, the first thing you’re going to do is put your hand out to help break your fall, and if the stitching fails at even 30mph, you’ll be faced with a painful palm skin/asphalt interface situation. Gravel rash hurts!
Clothing
Winter is a time for lighting the fire, hunkering down, living on stews, dumplings, sausage rolls and mince pies. Joyous. But there is usually a price to pay – we’re talking pounds as in weight, not pounds as in cash, although if you’ve put on too much timber you could end up shelling out for a larger set of gear. So, even before you’ve taken the cover off the bike, try on your gear, to make sure it still fits. And if you do it early enough, you’ve got time to start that weight-loss plan you’ve been talking about.
This gives you a chance to inspect your jacket, all-in ones and trousers. Again, if they have damaged stitching, it’s time to either get them replaced, or at least properly repaired.
It’s also a good idea to clean everything, because mould doesn’t smell that good.
And bear in mind that there are advances in materials and technology all the time, so if you’ve had your gear for a few years, it could be time to get some new stuff. You could end up a lot more comfortable as a result.
Paperwork
It’s always sensible to check over your paperwork before that first ride. Make sure that your motorcycle has a current MoT certificate, that the insurance is valid, and that it has road tax (VED) on it.
And you’ll be surprised how many people forget this, but if you SORNed your bike at the end of the last riding season, you need to remember to unSORN it before the start of this one.
Be careful
Motorcycling is a physical activity, so you need to give your body to acclimatise to life in the saddle. Take things easy at first, and do a few shorter rides before going on a tour – your legs and backside will thank you.
And remember that winter takes a toll on road surfaces as well as everything else, so watch out for potholes.
