After a long, wet (very wet, actually!) winter, warmer weather and longer evenings can only mean one thing: bike season is back.
Whether you've been counting down the days or you're just waiting for the roads to dry out, spring is the time most riders have been looking forward to.
But before you head out on that first proper ride of the year, it's worth taking a little time to make sure you, your bike and your gear are all ready for the road. It needn't take long — and it could make all the difference.
Begin with the bike
If your motorcycle has been sitting in the garage over winter, give it a once-over before you ride. Even if you've been out through the winter, a thorough check at the start of the season is a great habit.
A simple way to remember the key checks is the POWER acronym:
P - Petrol. Does the bike have enough fuel? If it's been standing a while, it's worth checking the fuel hasn't degraded.
O - Oil. Check your oil level before you ride. Low oil is one of those things that's easy to overlook and expensive to ignore.
W - Water. That means staying hydrated yourself, and for liquid-cooled bikes, checking coolant levels too.
E - Electrics. Are all your lights, indicators and horn working properly? It's a quick check that's easy to do before you set off.
R - Rubber. Your tyres are the only part of your bike in contact with the road. Check the tread depth, look for any signs of cracking or flat spots from being parked up and make sure the pressures are correct.
You also need to check the chain tension - it should be taut but not tight - and give the brakes a gentle squeeze before you pull away. Have a look underneath the bike for any leaks and make sure the handlebars move freely. These checks take only a few minutes and could save your life.
If you're not confident doing any of these checks yourself, your local dealer or a qualified mechanic can help. It's also worth considering an annual service if you haven't had one recently. Don’t forget that the MOT is a thorough safety check. You might want to move it so it coincides with the start of the season.
Protective gear – it’s not just for decoration
The bike might be in great shape, but what about your gear?
Motorcycle protective clothing isn’t about looking good. It’s there to protect you if something goes wrong. Even on a short, sunny spring ride, the right kit matters. That means a good quality jacket, trousers, gloves and boots — ideally with armour or padding built in. If you're not sure what to look for when buying or replacing gear, the SHARP helmet safety scheme is a great place to look for helmet ratings and guidance.
Speaking of helmets, when did you last think about yours? Helmets have a shelf life. Check inside the lining for the manufacture date; if it's more than 5 years old, or if it's taken any kind of impact — even a drop onto a hard floor — it's time for a replacement. A helmet that looks fine on the outside can have structural damage you can't see.
Whatever the forecast says, always dress for the ride, not just the weather when you set off. Conditions can change quickly and a spring afternoon can turn cold and wet faster than you'd expect.
Refresh your skills
Here's one you definitely shouldn’t skip.
Even experienced riders can feel a little rusty after a few months away from the bike. Your reactions, your judgement of speed and distance, your muscle memory for emergency braking — all of these benefit from time in the saddle. The first few rides of the season are not the time to push yourself.
Take it steady on those early outings. Get reacquainted with the bike before you head out on longer routes or faster roads.
And if you want to go further, DVSA's Enhanced Rider Scheme (ERS) is designed exactly for this. It's not just for new riders; it's for anyone who wants to ride better and safer. The day starts with a conversation about your riding, followed by an assessment ride, and then focused development work with a qualified trainer. Topics covered include cornering, bends, overtaking and filtering safely. Find a trainer and read the full ERS syllabus.
Many riders who've taken the ERS describe it as genuinely eye-opening even after years on the road.
You could also refresh your skills without leaving your armchair, by reading one or more of these guides:
Have fun safely
Spring is one of the best times to ride. The roads are quieter than summer, the scenery is changing and there's a real sense of the season opening up ahead of you.
Take half an hour before your first ride to go through your POWER checks, look over your kit and give yourself a moment to get back into the right headspace. The roads will be there all season — there's no rush.
Ride safe and enjoy every mile.
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