Pre-ride check

A short check before riding finds most problems that cause roadside breakdowns and crashes: low tyres, weak brakes, a sticking throttle, dead lights, a slack chain. Do the daily check before the first ride of the day. Do the weekly check once a week, and before a long trip or a heavy load.

Stop and do not ride if

• A brake lever or pedal goes soft or reaches the bar or footrest.
• The throttle does not snap shut by itself.
• A tyre has a bulge, a deep cut or is flat.
• Fuel is leaking, or there is a strong fuel smell.
• A wheel wobbles or has side play.
• An electric bike shows a battery warning, or the pack is hot, swollen or smells.

Daily (about 2 minutes)

1. Tyres: look at both. Squeeze or kick them: both should feel equally firm. Look for nails and cuts.
2. Brakes: pull the front lever and press the pedal. Firm, with the free play your bike should have. Push the bike with each brake on: the wheel should not turn.
3. Throttle: twist and release with the bars straight and at full lock. It must snap shut.
4. Lights and horn: key on. Headlight, tail light, brake light (front lever and rear pedal), indicators both sides, horn. Warning lights come on and then go out as your manual says.
5. Leaks: look under the bike for fresh drips of fuel, oil or brake fluid.
6. Stand: side stand springs fully up.
7. Electric bikes: charge level, charge port cover closed, swap battery locked in (Check swap battery contacts and latch), "ready" shows normally.

Weekly (10 to 15 minutes)

1. Tyre pressures with a gauge: Check tyre pressure. Tread and damage: Inspect tyres.
2. Chain slack and lubrication: Check and adjust chain slack, Clean and lubricate the chain.
3. Engine oil level: Check the engine oil level. Two-stroke oil tank level. Coolant level on liquid-cooled bikes: Check and top up coolant.
4. Brake pads or drum wear indicator and fluid level: Check brake pad wear, Check brake fluid level and condition.
5. Cable free play: throttle, clutch. Look for frayed cable ends.
6. Wheels: spin each, check for wobble and loose spokes (Check and tighten spokes).
7. Mirrors, levers, footpegs, number plate, panels tight (Check chassis fasteners).
8. Battery terminals tight and clean (Clean and tighten battery terminals).

Reference values (K-Light 125)

Use your own bike's values. These are for the K-Light 125 only.