Before heading out on your next ride looking like Marlon Brando and leaning it like Lorenzo, it's important run through a few quick mechanical and personal checks to ensure you end up at the other end. This brief refresher from our head mechanic is a good little tick list for all of us before heading out on the next ride. And you never know, you might just pick up a little something that saves a swollen noggin next time.

1. Visual Inspection

• Check tyre condition
• Look for leaks
• Look for loose bolts/ panels
• Check brake pad condition

2. Mechanical Inspection

• Check axel bolt/ nuts are tight
• Check brake caliper bolts are tight
• Check handle bar clamps are tight
• Check throttle returns

3. Signal System Check

• Turn ignition on
• Check brake lights
• Check indicators
• Check headlight and high beam
• Check horn

4. Safety Equipment Check

• Check helmet
• Jacket (believe it or not a stringlet doesn’t protect)
• Gloves
• Boots

5. Ride Test

• Start bike
• Check kill switch works
• Check front and rear brake operation
• Feel/ listen for abnormal vibrations or sounds

If it doubt get a professional to check it out.