No matter which state you live in, it’s been a long, long winter for most of us. The northern latitudes have been blanketed in snow, with some areas receiving a record amount of inches. The Sunbelt has been anything but, with torrents of rain from SOCAL to Florida and all points in between. Mountain passes in the west are an oxymoron, and subway systems in the east were flooded at times . . . well, to sum it up, this is one winter to be scrapped from the memory book.

But, spring is on the way. We’ve been promised by the local radio stations, and especially by South Dakota’s Black Hills Harley-Davidson advertising that “the bikes are here, both new and used - time to get ready.” And on the other side of windows, you can hear the thunder of bikes around Rapid City and on the roadways heading to Sturgis, the Bad Lands, and Mt. Rushmore. You can hear them and see them – motorcycles venturing out for the first time this year, leaving a thrill in their loud exhausts.

While it isn’t officially spring yet, it’s getting close. The Vernal or Spring Equinox is on Tuesday, March 19^th, a day early this year due to the calendar adjustment for leap year. We adjust our clocks to Daylight Savings time on March 10^th, with the exception of Arizona and Hawaii, which remain on Standard Time. On Daylight Time, we have more light in the evening, which is perfect for longer riding excursions before dark.

Yippee! It’s ridin’ time for a lot of us, time to uncover the motorcycle and dig out our clothes. Here’s a handy reminder of items that should be on your checklist for that first ride. Some items are pretty fundamental, but I’ll include them anyway, just don’t laugh.

1.Check to make sure your gas tank if full of fuel. You should have topped it off in the fall when adding fuel stabilizer. If you didn’t add stabilizer, cross your fingers when you engage the starter. If it doesn’t run properly, you’ll want to drain out the fuel and add fresh gasoline. Gasoline can and does go bad.

2.If you didn’t add fuel stabilizer before winter, you probably didn’t change the oil. If you did change the oil and your bike is kept in a climate controlled garage, you’ll probably be okay. If you didn’t, then change the oil – oil oxidizes over time.

3.If your engine is water-cooled, ensure you have the proper level of coolant.

4.Check the battery. You should have had it on a battery tender. If it is not up to charge, charge it.

5.Check your tire pressure. Ensure the tires are fully inflated to specs. If you stored your bike on a stand, your tires are probably ready for the road. If they have been sitting on the floor, they may have a flat spot on them. Best to check, and take care.

6.OK, start your engine. If it doesn’t start, go through this list again. If it still doesn’t start but turns over vigorously, you can change the plugs.

7.Before you pull out onto the roadway, remember that your skills might be a little rusty. Take it easy for the first day or so, and above all, remember to dress for the occasion: riding jacket, proper riding jeans and boots, and a good helmet.

Welcome to the riding season of 2024. Let’s plan on keeping the tires on the pavement. Make it a fun and safe year.