Today, we will discuss and outline the ultimate motorcycle PDI checklist, also known as the Pre-Delivery Inspection checklist, so that you can eliminate most of the manufacturing defects on your new motorcycle and relax.

For a rider, Motorcycling is love. The very day we take it to our home, we get into a relationship with it emotionally. The process starts with either a need or a passion. We go through a lot of reviews, ask friends, compare the specifications, or evaluate our riding style to choose the perfect motorcycle. Then we finally arrange money and book our dream.

From booking to taking final delivery is one of the most anxious periods in our life. On the final day, we become so excited that we do not even check if it has problems or not. Only a few days or weeks later, we start to identify issues like a dent in the fuel tank or scratches in the headlight, or encounter a strange noise from the engine. It happens with almost everyone, even I faced this too.

My motorcycle (Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350) had problems with the self-start and petrol leakage. Later, I had to replace the clutch switch and carburetor in the first service (2016). I had to pay Rs. 90 for the clutch switch, and Royal Enfield replaced the carburetor for free under warranty.

My only point here is, if I had been thoroughly checked during the delivery, I could have identified the problems on the very first day. In my case, the issue was small, but for you, it might be very big. Even if you go through the owner’s manual, specifically the warranty terms, you may notice that there are a lot of clauses where the warranty is not applicable.

To be on the safe side, you must always do PDI (Pre-Delivery Inspection) so that most of the manufacturing problems can be isolated.

P.S. This Motorcycle PDI Checklist below may become long but I can assure you it is comprehensive. Still, if you want a compact version, let me know in the comment section, and I will add a downloadable pdf checklist.

Two-Wheeler Basic and Cosmetics Checklist

You may be surprised, but on many occasions, a new motorcycle can have cosmetic faults like dents, color fading, poor welding joints, or scratches. Sometimes these faults are so minute that the showroom guy might ask you to wait till the first service when they will solve it. This happens because this motorcycle traveled a long way from the manufacturing site and was poorly handled all the way.

You might want to ignore cosmetic faults, although I would never suggest that. Never ignore faults in functional parts like the chassis, headlight, engine, etc.

Basically, you need to inspect your new motorcycle in good lighting thoroughly. Sometimes, even the side or main stand may have defects like uneven length, poor welding, or jamming.

• Check and note the engine & chassis serial number physically.
• Check for scratches or dents in the tank, handlebar ends, levers, chassis, engine, radiator, crash (leg) guards, and footpegs.
• Look for rust and welding joints in every metal part.
• Check for scratches or cracks in the visor, headlight, mirrors, switches, indicators, tail lights, or any other plastic/fiber parts.
• The handlebars should be free to move and not bent.
• If the motorcycle has a radiator, its fins should not have bends.
• Keep your motorcycle standing on both sides of the main stand and check for its stability.
• Your motorcycle seat should not have any cuts or be out of shape. If possible, ask them to remove the seat cover for inspection (note: some dealers do not provide seat covers).
• Check all screws & bolts for tightness, especially in the handlebars, engine, mudguard, exhaust, brakes, chains, etc. Also, check if any of those have rusted or are out of shape.

Motorcycle Engine, Brakes, and Transmission Checklist

Now you once you are done with cosmetic parts. Let’s move to the heart of the motorcycle, the Engine, Brakes, and Transmission section of the motorcycle PDI checklist. 

• Check the Engine & brake oil levels, colors, and leakage.
• Whether the chain is lubed or not. Generally, a new motorcycle gets chain waxed.
• Look for gear shifting for smoothness and unwanted noise or slack.
• Check if there are any visible dents, scratches, or cracks near the Engine and transmission area.
• For a liquid-cooled motorcycle, check the coolant level and color.

Tire Thread and Pattern Checklist

A tire is one of the most important parts of a motorcycle because it surfaces the road and provides the necessary grip. Look at tire threads and patterns for defects, speed rating, and manufacturing date. A sealed tire may last for a long but if it is attached to a motorcycle, probably not.

• Check for correct air pressures
• Look for its threads, cuts, shape-shifting, stones, or even nails.
• Check the age of tires, too old may not last long.
• Sometimes dealers change the tire, so verify with the owner’s manuals for its size and thread pattern.

Electrical and Electronics Checklist

These days, almost every motorcycle has a lot of electronics and electrical parts other than basic lights/indicators. Even a few electronic features like ABS, Traction Control, Side Stand sensor, and Fuel Injection are so important that without these, probably your motorcycle will never start.

• Turn on headlights, indicators, auxiliary light (if applicable), tail lights, and check.
• Switch on the motorcycle and look for the lights blinking on the console. If needed, start the motorcycle and check if everything is normal.
• Engage the side stand (applicable for side stand indicators only), and honk to check battery health.
• Ask them to open the battery panel and check for battery specs and leakage.

Motorcycle Accessories Checklist

Check all the accessories you must get with a motorcycle, like the main stand, saree guard, mirror,and crash (leg) guard (optional, depends on the brand and specific motorcycle).

Sometimes you may get freebies like a helmet, seat cover, keyring, chain lube/cleaner, motorcycle cover, etc.

Finally, Test Ride the Motorcycle

It is the most important section in the motorcycle PDI checklist where you will check and learn about your new motorcycle more.

• Start your motorcycle and notice if it sounds any different. Do the same with continuous and gentle throttle blipping. Also, look for ticking tappet noise.
• Check if white smoke is coming out of the exhaust.
• Self-start the motorcycle a couple of times to check battery health.
• Put the motorcycle in the main stand, give a light throttle in first gear, and check for tire wobbling or jamming or if the brakes are okay. Sometimes new brake pads may resist the wheel’s free rotation, look for that too.
• Check all the electronics and electricals thoroughly; the console indicators should be normal.
• Before you take a test ride of your motorcycle, check if the engine is struggling at low RPM (idling).

Now you should take at least a 1-2 kilometer long test ride to find out if everything is fine or not.

Motorcycle Papers and Documents Checklist

Let’s come to one of the most important points, papers and documents. First of all, you must know what documents your motorcycle should have, then we will discuss what documents you will get and when. Below are the required and must-have documents for a motorcycle

1. Registration Certificate
2. Tax token/Certificate
3. Insurance (Mandatory 5 years of insurance)
4. Pollution
5. Number Plate
6. Bill or Invoice of purchase

While you need to carry the first five documents all the time and the last one is for your proof, or if you want to sell the motorcycle later.

Please keep in mind, during delivery, you will only get the Insurance policy papers (Validity- 5 Years as per the latest Indian Government rules) and the Invoice. By default, any new vehicle has a non-pollution declaration sticker attached, but in many cities, police don’t consider that valid.

So, it is advisable not to take your motorcycle out before getting the number plate, Tax Token, PUC (Pollution Under Control Certificate), and RC (Registration Certificate).

In general, the number plate takes about 7-15 days, and the rest, like tax token & RC, may take up to 30 days. Keep in touch with the dealer or showroom guy to be updated. Once receive all the required documents, get yourself a PUC certificate.

Conclusion on Motorcycle PDI Checklist

Finally, I would say, taking a dream bike home is not easy at all. Starting from deciding the budget, selecting the perfect motorcycle, arranging money for it, so be sure you are taking your new motorcycle only not any problems.

Hope you find this motorcycle PDI checklist helpful. If yes or even otherwise, let us know in the comment section. 

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The post Perfect Motorcycle Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) Checklist appeared first on Rider Escaped

The most basic safety feature a motorcycle must have is ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), which prevents wheels from locking in panic or hard braking situations. Each year, hundreds of riders die on the road just because they lack safety features like a helmet, riding gear, or proper control of their motorcycle, although there are many other factors; still, we simply cannot neglect our faults.

Today, we will discuss what is Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is, how it works in motorcycles, and its importance in your safety. Skip risking your life!

How ABS works?

The working mechanism of an ABS is easily understandable by its name; whenever the rider applies the brake, it prevents the wheel from locking, but the question is, how?

An ABS electronic controller monitors the wheel rotation (rpm) and how much brake pressure (through brake fluid) is applied continuously so that it can automatically reduce brake pressure when it is about to lock the wheel, then immediately reapply again and continue to do so until the wheels stop. 

This happens so instantaneously that, from the rider’s perspective, he noticed nothing extra was happening behind the scenes, rather than simply engaging the brake, and the motorcycle stopped.

You can watch a small video clip explaining how ABS works and its benefits from the class leader, Bosch.

Note: Most of the motorcycle ABS systems work at speeds of 30-40 Kmph or above.

Why ABS is a must-have Safety Feature?

For a very experienced rider who probably learned motorcycle riding in drum brakes, they may feel ABS is overrated, but trust me, it is not, and here is why? Controlling a motorcycle during hard braking is always a difficult task because

1. Handling drastically reduces; otherwise rider may lose control and skid.
2. Due to wheel-locking, a motorcycle may become unstable in unpredictable patches like mud, sand, ice, rocky & slippery terrains.
3. Immediate stop for any reason from a good speed (more than 60 Kmph) could create more pressure on your legs, hands, neck, or even spine.

Now, I am 5.5 ft and own a Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350 (2015) without ABS. Obviously, on many occasions, like in Ladakh, Nainital, and Sikkim, I felt out of control due to panic braking. To overcome this, I had to engage the brakes or pump the brakes, although this worked well, still having an extra set of safety features that will get your back is quite justified.

Lastly, most of today’s newbies lack patience & will to control the motorcycle power despite the fact, current motorcycles are getting more power and torque figures day by day, even applicable for smaller displacement (cc) motorcycles. That is why ABS became a must-have safety feature.

Advantage

1. ABS ensures great handling & maneuverability during hard braking, and even braking distance becomes shorter.
2. Boosts confidence to ride and control a motorcycle better.
3. ABS might enhance fuel economy due to controlled braking.

Disadvantage

1. As ABS needs extra components like sensors, controllers, etc., the cost of a motorcycle increases.
2. Many riders become reckless cause they think nothing wrong could happen to them.
3. The same version of the ABS-equipped motorcycle weighs more than its non-ABS version.
4. Replacing a faulty ABS may cost you more, but remember, life is more important than money.

Single-channel and Dual-channel ABS

ABS can be either a single-channel or dual-channel system. To simplify things, if a motorcycle has disc brakes in both wheels, it might have dual-channel; otherwise single-channel is only applicable for the front disc brake. 

Generally, front-wheel locking is considered to be more dangerous than rear-wheel locking as we steer through it. So, a single channel is the minimum you must have. But if a motorcycle has punchy brakes in its rear wheel too, then dual-channel ABS is always recommended.

Installing ABS on a non-ABS motorcycle?

The only prerequisite to have an ABS system is a Disc brake because it measures the brake oil pressure to work. Although aftermarket so-called mechanical ABS is available, those are of no use, literally NO USE. Hence, OEM-fitted ABS is the only way; also, please never try to convert your non-ABS motorcycle to an ABS system. They often lack integrity and fail; the last thing you may want is to risk your life.

Latest ABS-related rules in India

Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had issued a mandatory rule stating that all two-wheelers having more than or equal of 125cc or below must have ABS (Anti-Brake Locking System) and CBS (Combi Braking System), respectively, in effect from April 2019.

Conclusion

ABS is a lifesaver, especially for two-wheeler, but it can also pamper your riding habits, although it is quite dependable, still you need to be more cautious with your braking patterns, in case it fails middle of nowhere, you might not want to meet with an accident.

Finally, we would always recommend purchasing a motorcycle with dual-channel ABS, and if it comes with ABS on/off functionality, do practice occasionally in ABS off mode so you don’t do wrong in case of ABS failure or riding a motorcycle without ABS.

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Thanks! Have a great day ahead. Always be safe on the road.

The post Why Motorcycle ABS is Important for Your Safety? appeared first on Rider Escaped