On your CBT your instructor shows you the checks to make before riding. Many UK trainers use the word POWDERS to remember them.
P for petrol
Is there enough fuel for your trip? Scooter fuel gauges can be vague, so learn how many miles you get from a full tank.
O for oil
Check the engine oil level using the sight glass or dipstick, with the bike upright on level ground. Check the handbook for how.
W for water
If your bike is liquid-cooled, check the coolant is between the minimum and maximum marks. Only check when the engine is cold.
D for damage
Walk round the bike. Look for anything loose, cracked or leaking, especially after it's been parked in the street.
E for electrics
Check the headlight (dipped and main beam), tail light, brake light (with both brakes), indicators and horn.
R for rubber
Tyres matter more on a bike than anywhere else. Check:
- Pressure, with a gauge, when the tyres are cold. The correct pressures are in the handbook.
- Tread depth. The legal minimum for bikes over 50cc is 1mm across three-quarters of the width, but grip drops well before that.
- Damage, such as cuts, bulges and objects stuck in the tread.
S for security
Make sure everything is secure: your luggage, your helmet strap and any locks or disc locks, which are removed before you move off. Riding off with a disc lock on is a classic mistake.
Don't forget the chain
On a geared bike, check the chain tension and that it's lubricated. A loose or dry chain wears quickly and can come off.
How long does it take?
Once it's a habit, about two minutes. That's time well spent compared with a breakdown on the A13.