After Tet Lunar New Year is a great time for groups to start their tours as the weather is nice and the number of tourists has decreased compared to during Tet. So before these trips, what should bikers prepare for a safer and more convenient journey?
After Tet is a beautiful time to travel
Check, maintain the vehicle before the trip
Before each tour, each biker needs to check their vehicle to avoid unexpected breakdowns on the road. Therefore, vehicle maintenance at this time is very important, the equipment that needs to be checked and maintained includes:
1. Tires
Check tire surface, tire pressure before going out
Tires are a component that can wear out, so before each long journey, users should check if the tire wear meets the length of the tour to replace it if necessary. Besides, pay attention to whether there are cracks or signs of “pregnancy” on the tires to replace them, to avoid punctures and tire damage while driving.
2. Brake pads, brake discs, brake fluid
The brake system plays an important role in ensuring the safety of users while driving, so before each tour, bikers should carefully check these two parts. If the brake pads are nearly worn out or the brake discs have scratches, they need to be replaced to ensure proper brake operation and avoid brake failure.
Replace brake pads if they are almost worn out
In addition, users should also pay attention to the brake fluid level to avoid too low or excessive fluid causing brake failure.
3. Coolant
Coolant plays a role in cooling the engine, preventing overheating during operation. If there is not enough coolant in the reservoir, the cooling effect will be reduced, leading to the engine not being able to operate at the designed capacity due to overheating.
Add or replace coolant to ensure effective engine cooling
Therefore, before each trip, users should check the coolant level in the reservoir to see if it is insufficient and supplement it if necessary. At the same time, observe the coolant reservoir for signs of water leakage or bent aluminum leaves to take timely action.
4. Chain sprocket
The chain sprocket is also a component that can wear out. Cleaning and maintaining the chain sprocket and adjusting the chain tension help the bike operate smoothly and ensure optimal performance, avoiding chain slippage or looseness.
Cleaning and maintaining the chain helps the bike operate better
5. Engine oil change
If the engine oil has been changed regularly, users should also consider whether it needs to be changed before the tour. In case an oil change is needed during the journey, users should also pay attention to this to change the oil in a timely manner to ensure the engine’s performance.
Essential items to have
Preparing essential items for the tour will help bikers be more proactive in case of minor accidents.
1. Basic tools for repairing the vehicle
Depending on the type of bike used, each person will know the necessary tools for repairing their bike, such as screwdrivers, wrench sets, sockets, pliers with sizes corresponding to the nuts on the bike.
Basic tools for repairing the vehicle
2. Emergency tire repair kit and pump
During long trips, punctures or tire failures may occur, so to be more proactive in case of tire punctures or failures, users should bring an emergency tire repair kit to temporarily fix the tire before replacing it completely at the next rest stop.
Depending on the bike’s tires, users can purchase the corresponding tire repair kit
3. First aid kit
No one wants accidents to happen, but users should also prepare some basic first aid supplies to be able to self-administer or assist fellow travelers in case of unexpected accidents.
First aid kit (Illustration)
Physical fitness
Before each long journey, bikers need to eat, drink, and rest fully to prepare for the tour because long-distance riding can be tiring. Sufficient rest helps the riders stay alert and have better reflexes while driving, avoiding drowsiness or extreme fatigue, which can lead to accidents.
