You got that right! Never maintain a scooter the way you would a car: maintain it as you would a light aircraft, with the emphasis on safety. Here is my pre-ride checklist -- and yes, I do that mentally before every ride. It only takes a few seconds. If nothing else, it will put you wise to the buddy system. Try never to ride alone. It just makes a better ride if you have a friend on the next bike.
1. General condition. Do you see any fresh oil beneath the engine or transmission? Are the tires up to pressure? Thumping the front and rear tire is essential, but on baggers, you'll want to unscrew the tire filler caps and check for the right pressure. On most Harleys, that's 45-55 PSI depending on model and load. I like hard tires, so I always opt for the high range.
2. Fuel. Open the fuel filler cap and make sure your tank is full. If it isn't, fill up the first chance you get. NEVER come back from a run with an empty tank! ALWAYS keep yout tank full and your scooter lubed!
3. Engine oil. Pull the dipstick (the one in the engine, not the guy ahead of you with tape on the bridge of his glasses). If you're low, bring it up to level before you even try to start.
4. Final drive. Shaft drive? Look to the rear differential to check for leaks. Belt drive? Assure that it is tight. Chain drive? Should have about an inch of slack and not pull more than 1/4" from the rearmost point of the drive sprocket. That will tell you the condition of both sprockets: if one wears down, replace them both -- and the drive chain. Belts are good for about 30,000 miles most times, unless they get oily.
5. Suspension. Swing a leg over the bike, make sure you're in neutral, see if you can move the bike a short way, and if so, the trans is okay. Then move the bike forward a foot or so, and hit the front brake. It should stop the bike and cause a small nosedive. Repeat for the rear brake, but it will not cause a nosedive.
6. Electrics. Start the bike, check the signals. If you can see the signals, fine. Check that they're working. If not, have your buddy check them front and rear. Check the brake lights and horn. If you have a sound system, turn it off until you get to a long lonesome stretch of highway.
7. While the engine warms up, put on your leather chaps, jacket, bucket, and gauntlets. Swing a leg over the scooter, and ride like you had a warrant out for you.
