If you store your motorcycle at a motorcycle dealer's shop over the winter, your spring motorcycle preparation should be as simple as ensuring that the shop does a thorough maintenance check. This scenario is ideal since the professionals know what to look for and what the typical areas of concern for your motorcycle can be. Most importantly, the motorcycle shop mechanics know how to address these issues properly.

There are, of course, some obvious issues that every motorcycle rider needs to be aware of when it comes to mechanical detail. Tire wear and tire pressure require vigilant attention all through the riding season, and especially at the end of winter storage since air loss over the winter is inevitable. Oil changes need to be faithfully done per the schedule that your manufacturer and mechanic advise. The condition of spark plugs, wires, and battery are all critical to the reliable operation of your bike. Brakes, needless to say, need to be carefully examined to ensure that they are totally functional. The degree of lubrication required for other parts, such as chain or shaft drive, depends on the specific bike, but is likewise critical to the safe operation of the motorcycle.

Winter storage of the battery is a ritual that needs to be completed carefully to ensure the life and condition of the battery are as good as possible,and that safety concerns that can arise from careless handling and storage of the battery are adhered to responsibly.

The rider needs to remember that it has been a matter of months since he or she has ridden a motorcycle. Reaction time will not be synchronized; everything will be new to some extent. The excitement of actually being out on the bike will be a distraction from the very real threats on the roads. It is critical to be cautious, make a few turns in a parking lot to refresh the feel and familiarity of the controls and to ensure that all mechanical concerns have indeed been worked out.

Always use whatever resources are at hand to educate yourself as a motorcycle rider on all safety and mechanical issues that affect you. Motorcycle magazines such as Motorcycle Mojo and Motorcycle Times often have safety and mechanical articles that are extremely useful as well. And it is always a good idea to consider, as an experienced rider, one of the Advanced Rider courses offered by rider training schools such as Rider Training Institute, Humber College, Niagara College, Learning Curves, or any of the other rider training schools you will find links to on the Riders Plus Rider Training School Page.