News How to Get Your Bike Ready for Spring

How to Get Your Bike Ready for Spring

While the winds may still sting your face, the brightening colors and longer hours of spring are clearly developing; it’s time to get your bike road-ready for spring! After months of storage, your bike needs a thorough checkup to ensure safety and optimal performance.

Follow these essential steps from the expert team at Yuasa Battery to prepare your motorcycle for spring riding.

General Bike Maintenance for Spring

After months of winter storage, your motorcycle needs a thorough check-up to ensure it’s ready to hit the road safely. Cold temperatures and long periods of inactivity can take a toll on various components, so performing a few key maintenance steps will help prevent issues down the road.

Taking the time to inspect your bike before your first ride of the season not only enhances performance but also ensures your safety.

By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your motorcycle is in peak condition for the season ahead. A little proactive maintenance goes a long way in avoiding costly repairs and keeping your bike running smoothly throughout spring and summer. Before starting your motorcycle for the first time this spring, perform a thorough inspection:

Here is a simple list of items to check before starting your motorcycle for the first time this spring, to perform a thorough inspection:

Tire Pressure: Tires lose air during storage. Inflate them to the recommended PSI.
Brakes: Inspect brake pads and ensure proper function.
Engine Start-Up: If your bike struggles to start after a long winter, a fully charged battery should help. However, if the bike still won’t start, professional servicing may be required.
Battery Health: This is a great time to ensure your battery is safe and ready for the season.

Spring Battery Care

Rider enjoys spring weather. The battery is one of the most common trouble spots when bringing a bike out of winter storage. Here’s what to check:

Dead Battery: If you didn’t use a maintainer over the winter, your battery may be drained. Try turning on the ignition and testing the electricals. If the bike doesn’t start, check the voltage with a battery tester.
Low Fluid Levels: If you have a flooded battery, check the fluid levels. Low levels can lead to sulfation, reducing battery lifespan. Use distilled water to top off if necessary.
Loose Battery Cables: Ensure battery cables are properly tightened. Loose connections can cause poor electrical performance.
Battery Maintenance Tips: Use a battery charger/maintainer at least once a month during the riding season to extend battery life. If you have a flooded battery, check the fluid levels regularly.
AGM Battery Upgrade: Consider upgrading to an AGM battery for less maintenance and reliable performance throughout the season.

Seasonal Preparation Checklist

Visual seasonal preparation checklist Beware of Cold Storage Effects: If stored in a damp or cold environment, inspect all major components carefully. Regardless of how your bike and battery are stored, though, you should inspect or ensure you have the following.

Battery Terminals: Inspect for corrosion and clean if needed.
Tires: Check pressure and look for cracks or wear.
Test Your Battery: A weak battery can leave you stranded. Check voltage before riding.
Monitor Tire Pressure: Proper inflation ensures grip and control.
Oil and Fluids: Check and replace as needed.

Brakes: Test responsiveness and inspect brake fluid levels.
Tool Kit: Ensure you have essential tools like a 10mm wrench, Allen or Torx wrenches, and a screwdriver for on-the-go adjustments.

For best results in the spring, store your battery in a cool, dry place and keep it connected to a maintainer when not in use. If you're concerned about prolonged storage, regular voltage checks will help ensure your battery remains in peak condition.

But, what about if your storage location or workspace has cement floors? Will cement damage your battery?

Can You Place Your Battery on Cement?

You may have heard from a mechanic or mentor that you can’t put batteries on cement. It’s a common myth in the motorcycle and automotive world that contact between batteries and cement causes lost charge or battery damage. Like many myths, this one started with a pretty solid grain of truth.

This belief dates back to the early 20th century when battery casings were made of hard rubber or wood, materials that could absorb moisture from concrete, leading to electrical leakage and self-discharge. That was because back then, batteries were more prone to discharge due to environmental factors, and concrete floors were often colder than surrounding air, which could influence battery performance.

However, modern batteries are housed in high-quality plastic casings that are completely sealed against moisture absorption. Advancements in lead-acid and AGM battery technology have eliminated concerns about concrete affecting charge retention.

Today, a battery will not discharge any faster on a concrete floor than on a shelf or workbench.

Additional Resources from Yuasa

For more detailed battery maintenance and safety tips, check out these helpful articles:

Final Thoughts

Getting your bike ready for spring isn’t just about performance—it’s about safety. A well-maintained bike ensures smooth, enjoyable rides all season long. Take the time to inspect and prepare your motorcycle, and you’ll be ready to hit the road with confidence.

If it’s time to replace your battery, or upgrade for even better power and reliability, visit our website to find a Yuasa Dealer today.

For over 45 years, Yuasa Battery has been manufacturing powersports batteries to uncompromisingly high standards, making them the largest American manufacturer and distributor of batteries for motorcycles, snowmobiles, scooters, all-terrain vehicles, side-by-sides, and personal watercraft.

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