On a bike there's no crumple zone, so small mechanical problems become big ones fast. Whether it's a superbike or a hard-working boda, the motorcycle safety world's standard pre-ride routine is T-CLOCS: Tyres & wheels, Controls, Lights, Oil & fluids, Chassis and chain, Stands. Once it's a habit it takes about five minutes.
You'll need
- A tyre pressure gauge
- A rag, and chain lube if your bike has a chain
- Your helmet and reflective jacket, plus a helmet for any passenger
⚠ Safety first
- Kenyan rules require both rider and passenger to wear a helmet and a reflective jacket. A properly fastened helmet is the single biggest factor in surviving a crash.
Step by step
- 1
T — Tyres & wheels
Check pressures cold against the figures in your manual or on the swingarm sticker. Look for cuts, embedded nails, bulges and worn tread; bike tyres wear fastest in the centre. Spin each wheel and look for bent rims or loose or broken spokes.
- 2
C — Controls
Squeeze the front brake lever and press the rear brake pedal; both should feel firm, not spongy. Check the clutch lever has a little free play and the throttle snaps back closed by itself when you let go, at every handlebar position. Check the cables aren't frayed or kinked.
- 3
L — Lights & electrics
With the ignition on, test the headlight (low and high beam), tail light, both indicators, the brake light (with both the lever and the pedal) and the horn. On a boda in traffic, being seen is survival.
- 4
O — Oil & fluids
Check the engine oil (on the sight glass or dipstick, with the bike held upright as your manual describes), and the brake fluid in both reservoirs. On liquid-cooled bikes, check the coolant too. Look under the bike for drips.
- 5
C — Chassis & chain
Push down on the bike: the suspension should compress smoothly and return without bouncing. Check the chain slack at the tightest point, typically 20–40 mm of up-and-down movement for many road bikes (your manual gives the exact figure). A dry or rusty chain needs cleaning and lube, and hooked or pointed sprocket teeth mean the chain and sprockets are due for replacement.
- 6
S — Stands
Check the side stand (and centre stand) springs pull them fully up and hold them there. A stand that drops while you're cornering can throw the bike. If your bike has a side-stand cut-out switch, check it works.
Pro tips
- Lube the chain every 500–800 km, and after riding in rain or on muddy murram. Lube it warm, then let it sit before riding so it doesn't fling off.
- Boda operators: the chain, brake pads and tyres take a beating in daily work. Weekly checks save far more in downtime than they cost in time.
- Carry a basic kit: tyre plugs or a spare tube, the tools that fit your bike's main bolts, a small pump, and zip ties.
Stop and get a mechanic if…
- Brakes feel spongy, or the lever or pedal comes back to the bar or the stop.
- The throttle sticks or doesn't return on its own.
- Excessive chain slack even after adjustment, or visibly worn sprockets.
General guidance only. Your owner's manual has the final word on specs, fluids and procedures for your vehicle. Last reviewed 24 September 2026.