Sohoz Tools

The five-minute pre-ride check

Tyres, brakes, lights, fuel and oil, chain and controls — daily or before a long trip.

This guidance is general — not checked for any one model. Your bike's exact figures and procedures are in its owner's manual or at an authorised service centre.

Safe visual checkDifficulty: Easy5 minutes

When to do it

  • Before each day's riding
  • Before a long trip

What you need

  • A tyre-pressure gauge, if you have one

Step by step

  1. 1

    Tyres: look for low pressure, cuts, bulges or anything stuck in them.

    A motorcycle tyre's tread
    Good tread: the grooves are clear and deep. Once they fade, or the wear bars are level, replace the tyre.Photo: meriden.triumph, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  2. 2

    Brakes: squeeze the front and press the rear; each should feel firm and hold the bike when you push it.

  3. 3

    Lights and horn: headlight, brake light (from both brakes), indicators and horn.

  4. 4

    Fuel and oil: enough fuel; oil level right (see the guide).

  5. 5

    Chain: look for obvious slack, dryness or rust (not on scooters).

  6. 6

    Controls: the throttle springs back when released; the handlebar turns freely both ways without pulling any cable tight.

    The red engine-stop (kill) switch on the right handlebar
    The red switch on the right handlebar is the engine-stop (kill) switch. On STOP, the bike will not start.Photo: Algont at Dutch Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  7. 7

    Stands and mirrors: the stand stays fully up; mirrors set.

Warnings

  • If a brake feels soft or a tyre is damaged, do not ride that day.

Stop and see a mechanic if

  • Anything wrong with the brakes, tyres, steering, or a fuel leak

Sources

  • The owner's manual and service booklet: the only reliable source for your bike's figures and procedures.
  • The common daily-check list taught in rider-safety training (tyres, controls, lights, oil, chassis, stands).

Last reviewed: 2026-10-25