We make better drivers and riders

Pre-ride motorbike checks

Blog post posted on 09/03/16 |
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Advice

From now until June, every motorcyclist in the UK is being offered the unique opportunity of a free 60 minute skills and safety riding assessment, courtesy of IAM RoadSmart.

Your bike may well have gone away for the winter, so before heading out ensure you’re both fit for the new season, with these tips on some basic preparation from IAM RoadSmart's head of driving and riding standards, Richard Gladman, and a free ride check with #IAMRideFree.

  • Check your bike for any damage and defects such as a loose exhaust, wires hanging down or leaks from under the machine – if anything is wrong with your machine we advise you to get it fixed by a mechanic first.
  • Check the condition and tread depth of your tyres. The tyre pressures should be checked with an accurate gauge when cold. The recommended pressure will be found in your handbook and also on the frame.
  • While some bikes require you to check the oil levels using a dipstick, most modern bikes can be checked via a computer or sight glass. Take note of how yours should be checked so you don’t end up overfilling it.
  • If the brake fluid is low, check to see if there is a leak near the reservoir. However, this could also be a sign that your brake pads are close to the wear limit – it’s best that you get your brake pads checked.
  • Check all your lights are working properly. Remember, some lights will require the ignition to be active without the engine being started.

Richard said: “It’s also worth checking the brake light operation from all brake levers and pedals. Some modern machines will check bulbs automatically and display a warning if any are faulty.

“Just a few simple steps can ensure you’re ready for a long season of riding, whatever the weather throws at us. Stay safe, enjoy it and if you have a friend you think could do with a refresher, let them know how they could ride free too.

Notes to editors:

  1. Richard Gladman is IAM RoadSmart's head of driving and riding standards.
  2. IAM RoadSmart has a mission to make better drivers and riders in order to improve road safety, inspire confidence and make driving and riding enjoyable. It does this through a range of courses for all road users, from online assessments through to the advanced driving and riding tests. IAM RoadSmart is the trading name of all businesses operated by the UK’s largest road safety charity, the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) and was formed in April 2016 combining the IAM, IAM Drive & Survive, PDS and IAM Driver Retraining Academy. The organisation has 92,000 members and campaigns on road safety debates on their behalf. At any one time there are over 7,000 drivers and riders actively engaged with IAM RoadSmart’s courses, from members of the public to company drivers, while our Driver Retraining Academy has helped 2,500 drivers to shorten their bans through education and support programmes.

 

Media contacts:

IAM Press Office – 020 8996 9777

press.office@iam.org.uk/ www.iamroadsmart.com

ISDN broadcast lines available

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IAMroadsmart    

On Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamgroup 

 

ENDS