1st look-see
Go over all fasteners for proper tightness. inspect for any damage to bike. Don't forget underneath the bike, wheel wells, etc. Change oil, and filter. Check air filter, replace if necessary. Learn how to remove the plastics.
Inspect tires, check for proper air in tires.
Collect proper tools to work on bike. ( I like to make up a tool kit that has any tool necessary to do field repairs.)
If putting a bike tool kit together, look for just the sockets, wrenches sizes that your bike needs. You don't need a complete set of wrenches, sockets if the bike only needs 1 or 2 sizes. Why carry extra weight, or take up extra space, if you don't need to? Home Depot, Lowe's sell individual sockets, wrenches.
All this will give you a good basis to know your bike. You'll be better prepared to work on it, or even explain to your mechanic what's wrong if need be.
If you plan to work on your own bike, arrange for a way to lift it. A cheap motorcycle lift can be bought from Harbor Freight. Some OEM skid plates don't mate with lift jacks. I bought a better skid plate so it would mate with my jack. ( Flat bottom. )
If bike is new, do proper break-in. If used, keep record on how many miles you can go on a tank of gas.
I plan to carry a small amount of gas, and run my new XT250 tank dry, to see how many miles it will go after going on reserve. Good to know , just in case you run short.
I'm sure someone will mention the Doo-Hicky. Probably a good idea to find out if it has been done.
Follow this forum for other general information. A real good source of info. Some things mentioned will depend on how you plan to use the bike. ( Some demand more performance, then others. ) Hard off road is quite different from general back road riding, or commuting.
Ride safe, and enjoy!
Ageing Gracefully
2017 Yamaha XT250
1990 Honda NX250 (Green/White)
2011 Kawasaki KLR 650 (Orange & White )
My KLR Page..
http://www.powers31.info/2011_KLR650.htm
Mod's to KLR:
Power socket, L.E.D. Battery Indicator, Camera bag holder
Custom Saddlebag frames .
Louder horns, Firstgear Onyx tail bag.
Custom Aluminum Skid Plate.
Cut down seat with Custom pad.
Go Pro Camera mount.
Doo-Hicky
Last edited by larry31; 03-17-2018 at 07:38 AM.