The air is warm as it rushes past your face, the constant drone of raw CCs are music to your ears as you grip the throttle a bit tighter and slowly open it up, grabbing for a higher gear.

The breaks in the pavement mimic your heartbeat as the tires embrace the pavement laid before them.

It is another perfect day for a ride as you leave all your worries behind you, allowing only the winding road before you to ensnare your thoughts – but something changes as you slow up for an oncoming corner.

As you lean to take the corner, your front tire begins to skid, and the motorcycle is ripped from underneath your body as it gives in to the forces upon it. Sparks fly as it slides across the pavement, taking your body along with it.

Motorcycles are dangerous, at least that’s what we are always told by our parents, but the fact of the matter is almost all the dangers of motorcycles can be avoided by education and a strict maintenance routine.

With spring now upon us and warmer weather everyday, it is the perfect time to bring your motorcycles out of their winter homes in storage units, shops and sheds. There are many things you can do vital to extending the life of your motorcycle, and, more importantly, protecting your own life.

“We see a lot of guys coming in here with bikes that aren’t safe,” said Gary Swartz of Ames Power Sports LC.

Although many motorcycle parts will wear down at one time or another, pay special attention to certain parts.

“There isn’t really one consistent thing that breaks on the bikes, but the biggest thing as far as wear items are tires and brake pads, bar none,” said Fred Meierkord of Zylstra’s Harley Davidson.Maintenance Checklist

Tires

There are two big things to watch for when it comes to tires on your motorcycle, tire pressure and the tread on the tire. Also, make sure to keep your eyes out for cracks in the sidewalls or in the tread. Low tire pressure will cause sloppy handling and sluggish response in your motorcycle’s performance, greatly endangering all riders.

Electrical

For a motorcycle just coming out of storage, you will most likely just need to check the levels on your battery to ensure it will hold a full charge, and also preserve the life of your battery before you need to replace it.

Also, be sure to check that all of your lighting – head lamps, tail lights, turn signals and gauge lights – is functioning. Remember, most accidents are not caused by motorcyclists, but rather fellow drivers not being able to see them.

Engine/Fuel System

Just like a car, your motorcycle needs to have its oil changed regularly, and it can never hurt to start out the riding season with fresh oil and a fresh filter to prolong the life of your engine. Also be sure to check your oil level regularly.

“Fire ’em up, warm ’em up and check the oil when it’s hot,” said Meierkord. To ensure that you do not have any fuel problems, such as seized carburetors, it is best to store all motorcycles with a full tank of gas and add a stabilizer to the fuel.

Brakes

Check the wear and tear on your pads and rotors to be sure you will not have any instances of wheel seizure or loss of braking ability. Also be sure to check that all the master cylinders are functioning correctly, as well as the levels of each brake fluid reservoir, to provide the pressure needed to engage and release your calipers.

Drive Train

Last, and certainly not least, you need to check that all chains, belts and sprockets are in good condition. Belts should not have any cracks, and chains should be well lubricated to prevent any “singing,” the sound a dry chain makes, while in motion.

The chain should also have no more than an inch to an inch-and-a-half of play when tapped in the middle between the front and rear sprockets.

Most chains will have loose and tight spots where there will be more or less play than other spots.

Also, check the tension at the tightest spot of the chain in order to avoid having an overly tightened chain, which will add unnecessary wear to the sprockets.

Another thing to check is if the teeth on the sprockets are not too pointed and that there is no back or forward slippage between the sprocket and the chain as you rotate the tire.

Remember, in the case that either a sprocket or the chain needs to be replaced, it’s best to replace all three at the same time.