The new riding season will soon be with us. It is time to get your motorbike out of the shed or garage, and back on the road, which means it might need an MOT test.
March is one of the biggest months for motorbike sales, boosted by the new registration plate and the prospect of many months of warm-weather riding ahead, and many bikes stored in sheds and garages over winter will need new MOTs.
However well you look after your motorbike, feeling anxious about whether it will pass the annual MOT test is quite common but there are some simple checks you can do before the test to flag up potential problems.
They are also worthwhile checks when putting your motorbike back on the road after winter storage and should be carried out regularly during the riding season.
- Tyres on motorbikes over 50cc need at least 1mm of tread. Those up to 50cc do not need 1mm but the tread pattern must be visible. Check for cuts and bulges.
- Check all lights work correctly, including a rear number plate light.
- A rear reflector must be fitted. It is often removed when a tail-tidy is fitted but we stock reflectors which stick on the rear number plate.
- Make sure the number plate is the right size, conforms to legal requirements and is fixed securely.
- The exhaust must conform to noise standards so make sure any after-fit modifications comply. The MOT guidance is the bike must not be louder than standard. If a standard exhaust has a baffle it must be fitted for the MOT test.
- Ensure the chain is correctly tensioned and not worn out.
- If a pillion seat is visible, passenger footrests must be fitted if the motorbike was supplied with them.
- Horn must work and be loud enough to be heard by other road-users.
- Check front fork seals for leaks. Also check for oil, petrol and brake fluid leaks.
- Brakes pads must have a minimum of 1mm of friction material remaining. Check brakes are not spongey.
- Check for loose parts, nuts, bolts and screws.
Gary Greenslade, senior technician and MOT tester, said: “All these things are also what you should check when you put your motorbike back on the road after it has been stood up over winter.
“You should also do these checks regularly and especially before long runs.”
He urged people to remember to book their motorbike MOT early as the build-up to the new riding season is a busy time for workshops.
As well as three-year-old plus motorbikes registered in March needing an MOT test, many riders who have stored motorbikes over winter, and declared them off the road under the DVLA’s Statutory Off Road Notification (SORN) scheme, also need to renew the MOT.
The most common reasons for motorbikes failing an MOT test include tyres, brake pads, lights, missing rear reflector, horn and number plates.
Our advice is to try to allow at least three weeks for booking an MOT test at busy times of the year.
“A lot of people want to ride their bikes at Easter, when the weather gets better, and find the MOT has run out but, with the bank holidays, we have two shorter working weeks,” he explained.
To book an MOT call our workshop on 01473 257401, email workshop@orwell.co.uk or click the MOT enquiry link at orwell.co.uk/workshop
