Before you leave
It’s always a good idea to give your bike a once over before every ride, regardless if it’s your daily commute, a weekly ride out or travelling abroad. You never know what might need changing or topping up!
Depending on how long your trip is it might be worth getting a service done on your bike beforehand to make sure there are no underlying problems with your bike that may become an issue later on.
Also make sure your MOT is up-to-date.
It is highly recommended that you take your bike to be thoroughly checked over afterwards.
Important things to check
- Tyre pressure and tread – It’s good to know your exact tyre pressure for your bike model. It will help conserve fuel and less chances of a puncture if your tyres are inflated to the correct pressure
- Oil levels – Make sure all oil levels are correct and at the maximum level
- Chain – Make sure the chain is well oiled beforehand, and pack extra too!
- Lights – All bulbs are fully functioning, visibility is key
Oh, and don’t forget to make sure your tank is full of fuel too!
Don’t be caught short with a flat tyre. Credit: Flickr
On the road
Regardless of how long your ride abroad is whether it’s a day or a number of months, it’s good to take a number of tools and equipment to make sure you can fix any flat tyres or broken bulbs. It will save any unnecessary time trying to find a local garage to mend anything.
Essential bike kit:
- Basic toolkit
- Bike levers
- Spare bulbs
- Tape and cable ties
- Chain lube
- Water repellent
- Hand cleaner
- Spare tube
- Tyre repair kit
- A spare kit
- GB sticker
Most external kit can be fixed easily by you like changing a light bulb, refilling oil and water levels and mending a tyre.
If you’re not sure where to start, check out this handy video to teach you the very basics of motorcycle maintenance: