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Written by Tony “Pan” Sanfelipo, senior investigator at Hupy and Abraham, S.C.
With spring just around the corner, we start to think about getting our bikes ready to ride. That means a possible tune-up might be in order. It’s good to start out with fresh spark plugs, fresh gas, an oil change, and a clean air filter. But don’t stop there; check your tires for wear and proper inflation. Lubricate all your cables and check electrical wires for breaks or cuts. Make sure your brake pads are good and your master cylinders are full of the proper grade of DOT brake fluid. Finish off your checklist by trying all your lights and turn signals, and of course, your horn.
Getting your bike back in shape after a long winter’s rest is a good idea, but you should also consider getting yourself tuned up as well. Are you properly endorsed and licensed to ride a motorcycle? Proper training can greatly improve your chances of avoiding a collision or losing control of your motorcycle. Even if you’ve been riding for years, it’s a good idea to take a rider course at a technical college or private facility as a refresher or take an Advanced rider class.
Most state ABATE chapters also provide Basic Rider Courses (BRC) and Experienced Rider Courses (ERC). Just as time will erode some components on your motorcycle, time can also erode your skills, especially if you’re not out riding every day. Tune up those braking and cornering skills with the help of a certified instructor at a recognized motorcycle rider course.
Finally, if we’re going to be thinking about the upcoming riding season and how to protect ourselves, we shouldn’t overlook proper insurance. There are a multitude of insurance companies offering various coverages for you and your motorcycle. Don’t fall for hype or fancy commercials; be a wise consumer and purchase the right policy with the right company to meet your particular needs and budget. You should buy as much insurance as you can afford in order to protect yourself and your family.
If an agent offers you “full coverage,” question exactly what that means. So-called full coverage policies can leave you woefully underinsured in a serious crash. You want to be sure your policy includes these coverages:
- Uninsured motorist: protects you if the at fault party has no insurance
- Underinsured motorist: protects you if the at fault party does not have enough insurance to cover your damages. There are some important nuances to this coverage that you need to be aware of. Contact me at pan@hupy.com and I can send you a free video that explains what you need to know.
- Med Pay: coverage for your out of pocket medical costs like co-pay, prescriptions, etc.
- Accessories package: some companies offer set amounts for accessories added to your motorcycle
Buying insurance can be confusing and you should never look for who offers the cheapest premium. You need to make sure you are adequately protected because serious crashes not only cause serious injuries, but they can also devastate you financially, even if you’re not at fault. Visit our video library to learn more about insurance and other matters that might be of interest to you: http://www.hupy.com/video/
Getting ready for spring means more than just unhooking the battery tender and rolling your bike out of the garage; Check your bike using the TCLOCK system; brush up on your skills and possibly learn some new ones by taking a certified motorcycle rider class; talk to your insurance agent about your motorcycle policy so that you’re sure you are properly protected.
