5 mistakes to avoid when taking the motorcycle after the holidays - BMW tips

For many bikers, especially in big cities, back to school is synonymous with traffic jams, stress and danger. This is also the time when the majority of bikers take the bike, to avoid these traffic jams. However, once the summer holidays are over, many elements change on the road and it is important to know how to adapt and adopt the right gestures and reflexes.

With decades of motorcycling on the clock, the team of BMW experts from Europe Moto have come together to list our tips to take into account when taking or returning to the bike after the summer holidays.

Check your motorcycle: the BMW motorcycle maintenance check-up

Whether you are returning to the motorcycle after the holidays or have been riding all summer, it is important to take stock of the maintenance of your motorcycle because the road conditions will not be the same. Here are the most important things to check before the start of the school year:

1. The cooling system: especially during slowdowns and traffic jams, the cooling system is put to the test. To avoid overheating, check the coolant level and the condition of the radiator.
2. Oil levels: in order to preserve your engine and its mechanical components, check the different levels of engine oil, fork oil, chain oil or grease and, if possible, the levels of transmission oil, brake oil, clutch or cardan.
3. The braking system: for your safety and that of others, check the condition of your brake discs and pads as well as the brake fluid. If worn, replace your brake discs and/or pads.
4. Lights: in order to remain visible and signal your intentions correctly, check that the various lights on your motorcycle are working properly: indicators, brake lights, front lights and rear lights.
5. Tires: check the overall state of wear of your tires as well as their pressure. If you come back from vacation, your motorcycle will not be so heavily loaded during your daily journeys, for example, an adaptation may be necessary.
6. The motorcycle battery: check the state of charge of your battery and top up if necessary to avoid any breakdown. You can in particular carry out this step with the BMW motorcycle battery charger.

Once these steps have been carried out, do not forget the visual inspection of the motorcycle in its entirety.

Get back to your motorcycling habits step by step

If you have not ridden for a long time, we advise you to get used to your motorcycle again first, both in terms of power and position on your motorcycle. If you can't forget the bike, you might still need some time to adapt. We advise you to start with a short walk in a quiet place.

Also, do not hesitate to refresh your knowledge in terms of safety and signaling.

Adapt your riding behavior

Once the holidays are over, we must expect more people on the road, of course, but we must also expect more tense and nervous motorists. So there may be more lively actions than during the holidays. We advise you to remain very vigilant and to closely monitor the behavior of other road users, especially if you practice the inter lanes.

In town, adapt your speed: the roads are more used by motorists but also by pedestrians, especially children returning to school. Then respect the speed limits and remain courteous.

Finally, we advise you to avoid distractions when riding, because with more people on the road, events happen faster. In particular, you can avoid screens by using connected glasses or a BMW communication system directly in your helmet.

Adapt your BMW motorcycle equipment

Riding a motorcycle during the holidays and riding every day to go to work, for example, may require adapting your equipment, whether it is your motorcycle accessories or your biker equipment, discover our advice on this subject.

Adapt your BMW motorcycle equipment

The first step when adapting your motorcycle accessories to everyday riding is choosing the right luggage storage. While suitcases and top cases are very practical on vacation, a tank bag or rear bag may be more suitable for short trips. They allow you to carry the necessary for the day and reduce the bulk on the motorcycle.

We also advise you to improve the visibility of your motorcycle, thanks to a simple accessory: additional LED lights. In addition to allowing you to see better at night, these lights allow you to be better seen when you arrive behind a vehicle or in between lanes.

Finally, we advise you to protect your motorcycle well, in particular with original BMW crash bars, which can protect it in the event of a fall. Also, in order to make your journeys more pleasant, discover the accessories to improve comfort on a motorcycle.

Adapt your BMW biker equipment

While some bikers tend to equip themselves lighter in summer and during holidays, it is important to keep a secure outfit that is suitable for the bike. Here are our 3 tips for your biker equipment:

1. Check the condition of your equipment: the protections must be in good condition, holes must be avoided in the clothing. For the helmet, do not forget to change it if it is more than 5 years old, or if it has suffered a fall.
2. Adapt your equipment to the season: you can keep your summer equipment if the weather allows it or switch to mid-season motorcycle equipment. Remember to complete your outfit to equip yourself from head to toe.
3. Prefer visible equipment: we recommend equipment with visible colors and/or with reflective strips, this allows other road users to see you better.

If you need to renew your equipment but don't know which collection to go to, find our guide to accessories that improve motorcycle safety.

Track Your Journey: Predict Changes

If you are returning from vacation or taking a different route on a motorcycle, consider planning for any possible changes as well as any parameters that could affect your route. A big point to plan for is the works, there may be deviations or slowdowns due to the works. Floor markings can also create slippery surfaces that must be approached with great caution.

Also, do not forget to adapt to the weather, especially in case of rain. BMW rain gear is available.

Of course, adapting your equipment and your behavior does not prevent you from being extra vigilant, but helps you. Find all BMW motorcycle accessories and BMW biker equipment on our site. Our team wishes you good luck!