The first warm days, the sun is out, and the bike has been standing in the garage for months. Just getting on and riding off is tempting. A thorough motorcycle spring check is the better idea. After a long rest, the battery, tyres and brakes are the typical weak points, and they decide how safe your first ride is. With this checklist you need about an hour.
The spring check in 10 points
Tick off the points in order. Anything you can't judge yourself, have checked at a workshop.
- Battery: fully charge before the first start, replace old or weak batteries.
- Tyres: check pressure, tread depth, age and cracks.
- Brakes: check pads, discs, lines and brake fluid.
- Chain: clean, lube, adjust the slack.
- Engine oil: check the level, change it after winter or as per the service interval.
- Coolant: check the level with the engine cold.
- Lights and electrics: headlight, brake light, indicators, horn.
- Switches: test the clutch and side stand switches.
- Cables and steering: throttle and clutch cables move freely, no play in the steering head bearing.
- Paperwork and kit: roadworthiness test date, insurance, hi-vis vest, first aid kit.
Battery: the most common reason for a failed start
Even if the bike was on a maintenance charger: charge the battery fully again before the first start. A deeply discharged lead-acid or AGM battery often never fully recovers. If the bike turns over sluggishly or the voltage drops sharply when starting, replacing the battery is usually better than constant recharging. Our guide Replacing a motorcycle battery shows how.
Tyres: pressure, tread and age
Tyres lose air over the winter. Set the pressure with cold tyres to the value in the owner's manual. The legal minimum tread depth in Germany and many EU countries is 1.6 mm. The German automobile club ADAC recommends replacing tyres at that point at the latest, and also when they are more than six years old. You can read the age from the DOT number: the last four digits stand for week and year, so 1221 means week 12 of 2021.
Also look for cracks in the sidewalls, embedded objects and flat spots. If the bike stood in one position all winter, flat spots often ride out after a few kilometres. More in our guide to choosing motorcycle tyres.
Brakes: pads, discs, fluid
Look through the brake caliper at the pads. Many pads have a wear groove. If it is gone or only about 2 mm of pad is left, new pads are due. Clean the discs with brake cleaner, never with oil or care products. Brake lines must not be porous or leaking.
Look into the reservoir: the fluid should be light in colour. If it is dark or older than two years, change it. Why this matters so much is explained in Checking motorcycle brakes.
Chain and final drive
After winter the chain is often dry or slightly rusty. Clean it, lube the inside and set the slack as per the manual. With a shaft drive or belt, check the oil level in the final drive or look for cracks in the belt. The full guide is in Motorcycle chain maintenance.
Fluids, lights and electrics
Check engine oil and coolant on level ground with the bike upright or on the centre stand. If the oil change was not done before winter, now is the time. Then switch through all the lights: dipped and main beam, brake light with front and rear brake, indicators, horn. Also test the safety switches: with the side stand down and a gear engaged, the engine must cut out.
And what about you?
The rider also needs a spring check. After months off the bike, routine, vision and a feel for braking points are missing. Ride the first laps deliberately calmly, practise a few hard stops in an empty car park and expect drivers not to be looking out for motorcycles yet. A rider safety course in spring is ideal.
Check your clothing too: do your jacket and trousers still fit, are zips and armour OK, is your helmet older than five to seven years? Small damage from last year often only shows up now.
Summary
The spring check costs you an hour and saves you nasty surprises on your first ride. Charge the battery, take a close look at tyres and brakes, look after the chain, test the lights. Anything you can't judge with confidence belongs in the workshop before you ride.
Frequently asked questions
When should I do the spring check?
Before the first ride after the winter break. Allow enough time in case parts such as a battery, tyres or pads need to be ordered.
How old can motorcycle tyres be?
There is no legal maximum age. The ADAC recommends new tyres when they are more than six years old or have less than 1.6 mm of tread.
Do I have to change the brake fluid every spring?
No. A change every two years is usual, regardless of mileage. If the fluid is dark, sooner.
What does a spring check at a workshop cost?
That depends on the workshop and the scope. A pure safety check is much cheaper than a service with oil and brake fluid change. Ask for a fixed price beforehand.
Sources
- Getting yourself and your motorcycle ready for the season (ADAC, German)
- Motorcycle checklist for the start of the season (ÖAMTC, German)
- Changing or topping up brake fluid (ADAC, German)
Last checked: September 2026. Service intervals and values are in your motorcycle's owner's manual.