didn't prep bike before winter
 

Hi All,

Because I've been busy of late, I've been stupid and not touched my bike since mid december. The bike (a 54 plate) has been sat under a cover in my back garden and now I'm afraid to go near it because I know I shouldn't have left it over winter to fend for itself.

I only passed my test in October last year and know nothing regarding maintenace, so can anyone offer any advice as to what I should or shouldn't do to maintain it before venturing out on it again? Should I just try and get it to Suzuki and have it overhauled? Are there any mobile Motorbike mechanics out there who would come out and sort it out for me?

Also, I would be quite interested to do some kind of beginners motorbike maintenace course, does anyone know if such a things exist and whether they are worthwhile or not?

nos

It's only two months.Get an Optimate charger.Use it.Oil the chain.Check tyre pressures and oil level.Then ride bike.Do it now or the bike will never forgive you.

what he said.

Take it easy the first time out.

And check your brakes !!

nos-do yourself a favour , buy a haynes manual. describes general maintenance even i can follow :D :D

probably a good idea to give the chain a good clean too. i didnt ride for just under 2weeks over xmas and its was rusty as hell.
All surface rust tho so it came off with a bit of elbow grease. Haynes maual is good, well worth the cash.

There are several things to check after leaving the bike to stand for a while:

Battery - if it starts and you havent got a charger go for a long-ish ride of 30 minutes plus. AFTER following checks.
Brakes - Make sure they arent binding and making the bike difficult to push, can cause disk warping. Check they work correctly also and will stop you! No spongyness! Use haynes manual if they need bleeding
Tyres - Check the pressures. Down to personal pref really, but 34-36psi is about right. Most people have the rear harder.
Chain - Check it isnt rusted up or has too much in the way of stiff links. This can cause it to snap. Give it an oil/lube. I use engine oil as its plenty thick enough at this time of year. I tend to run it on the "inside" so it flows out and around once im moving.
Electrics - check all of your lights (front/rear/indicators). Check your horn, kill switch and side stand switch too. The side stand switch can sometimes be sticky when stood so if the bike keeps cutting out when you put it in gear check it.

I'd be happy at that to ride. There's probably more. Get yourself a manual.

Start it, ride it. Mine was sitting under cover for 6 months. All i done was charge battery, check brakes, adjust and clean chain, checked tyre pressures, job done. Went through its MOT the following day

Thats what i said. Yours was just more concise.

If you thumb it over for a while and it's coughing and spluttering but not catching dump the fuel out and replace with 5L of nice fresh Unleaded (Though I would have thought it's be fine after 2 months)

Like the others said, charge the battry, clean and oil the chain, pray to an appropriate deity and press the "start button"