The Motorcycle Safety Foundation has just released a new video to help motorcycle riders perform crucial, pre-ride safety inspections of their bikes. The video, entitled “T-CLOCS” (a six-letter acronym representing the six main categories of inspection steps), can be viewed for free on MSF’s website.The T-CLOCS video is hosted by actress/motorcyclist Celeste Creel and actor/motorcyclist Gunner Wright.
“Before every ride, each motorcyclist should inspect their motorcycle,” said Ty van Hooydonk, MSF’s director of communications. “This step-by-step video makes it easy. The professionals at the MSF call it ‘T-CLOCS,’ for Tires, Controls, Lights, Oil, Chassis and Stands. A few minutes of prep can keep your motorcycle running right, keep you from getting stranded on the side of the road, and maybe even prevent you from getting injured.”
How often should you perform a pre-ride inspection of your motorcycle? “Before each and every ride,” said Mark Wing, MSF’s manager of program development and implementation. “A pre-ride inspection should be as routine and automatic as checking the weather forecast before heading out for the day. There are a lot of things to check on motorcycles before you go riding, but performing a pre-ride check shouldn’t take more than a few minutes. Memorizing the T-CLOCS acronym makes these steps easy to remember and easy to perform before every ride.”
T-CLOCS is so crucial to MSFs goal of keeping motorcyclists safe that a handy tear-out version of the T-CLOCS Pre-Ride Inspection Checklist is conveniently provided to each and every MSF Basic RiderCourse student in the back of the MSF Basic RiderCourse Rider Handbook. A free pdf version of the T-CLOCS Checklist can be found here.
“Performing T-CLOCS regularly helps you discover small issues before they become big ones,” said Ken Glaser, MSF’s director of special projects. “While I’m waiting at the airport gate, I’m always comforted when I see a pilot visually inspecting the aircraft I’m about to board. Pilots perform regular pre-flight inspections to ensure the safety of their passengers and flight crew. Motorcycles, like airplanes, have critical components that experience normal wear and tear. Detecting a minor change on your bike during a pre-ride inspection today can prevent a costly repair or even worse tomorrow.”
Some servicing of your motorcycle requires a professional, qualified technician. But, with a little effort, some basic tools, and MSF’s new video, there’s a lot you can comfortably do on your own, and you’ll get to know your own bike better. While T-CLOCS is a great way to remember the pre-ride inspection steps, the primary source for details on inspecting your motorcycle and performing routine maintenance remains your bike’s owner’s manual.
For key information on the care and maintenance of motorcycle tires – the critical connection between your motorcycle and the road – watch the Motorcycle Industry Council’s Tire Guide video here.
For more information: www.msf-usa.org.
