Now that spring has arrived in southern Ohio, motorcycle enthusiasts from Lancaster to Chillicothe to Athens will be dusting off their bikes and preparing for the open road. Yet, the process of preparing a motorcycle for the long riding season involves a bit more than “dusting.”
Continuing that analogy, there’s no time like the present to polish up your knowledge of various bike-centric topics, including spring maintenance for your bike, necessary insurance for motorcyclists in Ohio, and what to do if you’re in an accident on your bike.
Plus, it won’t hurt to research some classic southern Ohio motorcycle routes, including the Triple Nickle, the Ohio Dragon’s Tail, and, less poetic but no less scenic, the Hocking Hills Scenic Byway.
Preparing Your Motorcycle for the Riding Season
Like any other machinery that’s been idle for an extended period – from your lawnmower to your furnace – a motorcycle (and its insurance) should be checked over before taking it out on the road when spring arrives.
Complete the following tasks before rolling…
• Are your tags and motorcycle insurance up to date?
• Take a look at your bike’s service manual to ensure all recommended maintenance has been taken care of.
• Visually inspect your motorcycle to detect any signs of excessive wear or damage. Perhaps there’s something you overlooked when putting your bike away last November?
• Make sure your bike’s battery and electrical system are working properly, and that none of the lights or blinkers are malfunctioning. A defective brake light can cost your life.
• Check all fluid levels, including gas, engine oil, and brake fluid. If you didn’t change the oil or oil filter in the fall, you likely need to do it now.
• Apply proper lubrication to various parts and systems and ensure that your throttle and clutch cables are intact. Check all belts and chains for wear and tear and replace if necessary. Make sure the brake pads and lines are still up to performing their important job.
• Inspect the tires for proper air pressure and tread. After you inflate the tires to the proper pressure, check later to make sure that the pressure is holding.
That’s not a complete list but it hits most of the important maintenance tasks. If you have any doubt about your own mechanical abilities, don’t hesitate to take your bike to a trusted motorcycle mechanic for a spring maintenance tune-up.
What Insurance Do You Need for Your Motorcycle?
As is the case with any motor vehicle in any state, insurance is required for riding motorcycles in Ohio. According to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV), you (or anyone else operating your motorcycle) need the following:
• Proof of insurance (to be displayed at accident scenes, traffic stops, and vehicle inspections.
• Minimum insurance levels, including $25,000 for injury/death of one person; $50,000 for injury/death of two or more people; and $25,000 for property damage in an accident.
Other types of vehicle insurance are also recommended (but not mandatory) including comprehensive, collision, medical payments, total loss coverage, and roadside assistance, among others.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Hopefully, you’ll never need have an accident while riding your motorcycle (or anything else), but if you do, it’s important to know what steps you should take. Most of them are identical to the process after any other type of motor vehicle accident.
Most importantly, assess your or any passenger’s medical situation. If injuries have occurred, call an ambulance or have someone else do so (unless the police have already called in a squad). Unless the injury is obviously minor and/or non-incapacitating, call an ambulance. Better safe than sorry. Even with a minor injury, make sure you see a medical professional ASAP and then properly document the injury and its treatment.
As soon as possible after the accident, call the police so they can handle the situation and write up a report. That will be used to support your medical claim or any lawsuit you might want to file. Also, obtain ID and insurance info for all other involved drivers. Police officers can help with this as well.
Other important steps:
• Gather information from any witnesses (if you’re able to).
• Take pictures of the scene.
• Keep records of medical expenses and any other consequences of the accident (such as missed work).
Get Your Motorcycle Insurance the Bill Palmer and Save!
If you’re not satisfied with how you or your loved one’s insurance is being handled, don’t hesitate to contact Bill Palmer Insurance of Lancaster Ohio for a free quote!
Sources
https://innatcedarfalls.com/blog/motorcycle-routes-in-ohio/
https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/dl-mandatory-insurance.aspx
https://www.progressive.com/answers/ohio-motorcycle-insurance
Featured Image by Greg Nebbia