Ready for the motorcycle season?

What steps and products are important when you want to wake up your motorbike after it has been stored over the winter?

That depends on whether you did an oil change at the end of the season. If not, you should definitely change the oil and oil filter before the season starts—either yourself or by a trusted specialist. If you already took care of this in autumn, then check the oil level through the sight glass and top it up with the correct oil if the level is too low. You can find the Midland engine oils for motorcycles and ATVs here. If you're not sure which oil you need, check the Midland Oil-Finder.

The next step is a visual inspection: Is the front fork leaking? Unfortunately, that’s often the case. You store the bike for the winter, and when you bring it out after the cold season, there’s an oil ring around the fork tube. The usual reason is cheap fork seals that were installed. In that case, the fork needs to be serviced by a professional. For them, here are the Midland fork oils.

The visual inspection continues: Check the coolant level—and top up if it’s too low. Check the brake fluid in the sight glass. If it no longer looks good, be sure to replace it: Here are the DOT brake fluids from Midland and the radiator protection concentrate Midland XT-Coolant.

Next point is the chain: If you didn’t lubricate it before winter—which would have been better to prevent surface rust—then you need to do it now. Before lubricating, it’s best to clean the chain. Tip: Spray the chain with Midland MS14 Multi Spray and clean it with a cloth. Only then use a chain spray like Midland K9 Chain Spray to protect the cleaned chain.

Don’t forget to check the chain tension. Manufacturers provide specifications for how much play the chain should have beneath the swingarm. You’ll find these details in the manual. One more tip: The best time to lubricate the chain is after you come home from a ride—not just before heading out! Chain spray needs time to become sticky and adhere properly. And to clean the entire bike, Midland Moto Gloss is perfect.