Haven't ridden my bike since November. What do I need to do before I do?

Help & Advice
1

As the title says - unfortunately I haven’t ridden my gixxer since November. It’s been standing outside under a cover in my backyard with no movement whatsoever, breaking my heart whenever I saw it :smiley:

Main reason was that I just couldn’t be bothered to go out in the cold we had this winter. I’m not commuting anymore so getting dressed and wearing multiple layers of warm clothing feels like a drag nowadays. The other reason is my rear tyre is completely flat so I need to get it changed. Actually both as the thread is worn down to the minimum too.

So, first and foremost, I obviously need to charge my battery, which is easy.

Regarding tyres - I guess I will have to use a mobile tyre fitter as I can’t ride my bike with 3psi in them. I’ve seen http://www.londonmpr.co.uk/ being mentioned on this forum last year as being very good - is that still the case?

When it comes to tyre choice - not sure which ones to go with. For now, seeing how I’ve become a fair weather rider, I’m leaning towards Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa SP V2. I was determined to get Michelin Pilot Road 3 for a long time until a friend of mine recommended Pirelli’s so I thought I’d have a go. Besides, as silly as it is, I love the look of them! :smiley: Any thoughts on that?

Other than that, what else do I need to do before I go out apart from all the usual checks (lights, breaks, signals, etc.), letting it run for a bit to warm up and circulate the oil?

Haven’t had a break this long so just want to make sure I don’t do something silly.

Thanks in advance, all you motorcycling wizards out there!

1 Like
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Won’t your tyres hold any air? I’d pump them up and ride to a tyre place as it’ll be cheaper.

No idea how old your bike is, but not ridden from November shouldn’t have changed much. Maybe check the oil level.

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You have to play this one by ear its probably just a question of running through those weekly checks few folk seem to bother with. Assuming you keep on top of a maintenance schedule there shouldn’t be too much else after checking the engine oil but don’t take anything for granted. If you know what you’re doing check in no particular order; engine oil, brake discs, pads & operation, coolant level, drive chain & sprockets, lights, horn, electricals, wheels & tyres throttle operation and then some.

4

check to see if you have breakdown cover with Homestart or similar .
if you do
Submit fault as flat battery and ask the attendant to pump up tyres

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5

I’d drain the change coolant, oil and filter pretty sharpish. Your fuel might also be pretty stale. 4 months is longer than I’d want all those fluids sitting stagnant in a high performance bike

If you’ve got a paddock stand and a car, it will work out significantly cheaper to take the wheel off and take it to a bike shop for them to sort the wheel

6

In the same position. Hopping the batterie is still good. Going to give it a full service as it was due one before summer.

7

i left my GSXR 18 months
put a battery on it & it fired up staright away,
when you do switch the ignition on make sure the SET valve cables move,
other than that i would put air in the tyres & service it once it has started & not before

8

I left my RR for 2 years sadly. In that time it was just the fork seals that went. An interim service and new seals put her back on the road.

9

and grease the cables exhaust side

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and check the exhaust clamps :thinking:

11

Mine is back on the road. Full service. Just need to sort out the fork seals.

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You often find the fork seals will go on the side stand side only I’m told, it might be worth leaving on centre stand/paddock stand as appropriate next time it ends up sitting for some time