Start of the motorcycle season - properly prepared on two wheels
When the first warm rays of sunshine herald spring-like weather, the beautiful weather attracts motorcyclists to their bikes. It's time to prepare yourself and your bike for the new motorcycle season. It is particularly annoying at the start of the season when motorcycle breakdowns due to a lack of maintenance and care spoil the fun of riding or when motorcyclists quickly reach their technical limits after the winter break.
The right approach is therefore to give the motorcycle a thorough check after months of downtime, replace wearing parts and slowly get used to the riding physics of the machine again.
When does the motorcycle season actually start?
If your motorcycle is not registered all year round, the start of the motorcycle season is determined by the period of the so-called seasonal license plate. As a rule, this is the period between March and October of a year. You can determine the desired period yourself when you take out motorcycle insurance; it must be a minimum of two months and a maximum of eleven months.
Technical check before the first seasonal ride begins
To begin with, the bike should be thoroughly cleaned. It would then be helpful to take a look at the bike's maintenance booklet so that any gaps in the rider's knowledge can be compensated for by the manufacturer's instructions.
What should always be checked, however, are
- the condition of the battery
- the lighting system and other electrical system components
- all operating fluids such as engine oil, brake fluid, coolant, etc.
- the drive and driving technology such as tires and brakes
You can find comprehensive tips and information here on our website.
The first ride of the motorcycle season
Most motorcycle accidents occur every year at the beginning of the season. The reason is often that people overestimate their own riding ability after the winter break. It is helpful to slowly get used to the different driving behavior of two-wheeled vehicles. Take enough time to get used to your bike and its movements again. It is best to choose a route that you know well so that you can concentrate fully on your bike. Choose a route with little traffic for braking and steering exercises so that other road users do not overlook you. Car drivers also need to get used to the image of motorcyclists again.
If you don't feel safe, we recommend a driver safety course at an automobile club.
Defensive driving prevents accidents
Particularly at the start of the motorcycle season, you need to pay more attention to the road, especially in wooded areas or on bridges, as there may still be damp or slippery patches, and roads often have potholes and cracks caused by frost. A defensive riding style helps to avoid accidents.