By Chris Genovese, Marketing Director
As the snow melts and temperatures rise, motorcycle riders across New York are gearing up for another great riding season. Before you hit the open road this spring, now is the perfect time to make sure you – and your bike – are fully prepared for long season of sunshine and open pavement (please, God!).
Start With the Bike
Before your first ride, give your motorcycle the attention it deserves after a long winter.
- Check your tires for proper inflation, cracks, or flat spots. Even if all of that is perfect, you should still consider replacing any motorcycle tire that’s more than 5 years old.
- Inspect brakes, cables, belts, and chains.
- Change fluids if needed and check for leaks.
- Test your battery, lights, and signals.
- Make sure your horn and mirrors are in working order.
Even if you stored your bike carefully, winter can take a toll. If you’re not comfortable doing the inspection and maintenance yourself, schedule a full service with a local shop before heading out.
It’s also smart to ease back into riding. Even experienced riders can feel a little rusty after months off the road. Spend some time in an empty parking lot or on less-traveled roads practicing slow-speed maneuvers, braking, turning, and obstacle avoidance. A short practice session can help rebuild confidence and sharpen reflexes before you mix it up with traffic.
Review Your Insurance Coverage
Spring is also the ideal time to review your motorcycle insurance policy. Don’t wait until after an accident to find out what you do — or don’t — have.
We strongly recommend that riders speak with their insurance company about:
- Supplementary Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (S.U.M.) Coverage
Get a quote to max out your SUM limits at $500,000 single limit. If you are seriously injured by a driver who has little or no insurance, this coverage can make an enormous difference in protecting you and your family. - Medical Payments Coverage (MedPay)
Ask about increasing your Medical Payments coverage — ideally up to $25,000 — to help cover medical expenses regardless of fault. This is especially important if you do not currently have health insurance, or if your current company is likely to put a lien on any medical payments made for treatment stemming from a motorcycle crash.
Many riders are surprised to learn how affordable increased coverage can be compared to the significant protection it provides, especially for S.U.M coverage.
If your rider club or organization would like a better understanding of the insurance coverages we recommend, someone from the Kantor Gullo Law Firm would be happy to attend your next meeting to discuss these issues and answer questions.
Important Changes to New York’s Point System
This year brings significant changes to New York’s traffic infractions point system. Several violations now carry higher point values, and the way points accumulate has changed. Because points affect your license status and insurance premiums, it’s more important than ever to understand how violations can impact you.
Ride smart and remember that today’s traffic ticket can follow you a lot longer than it used to.
Don’t Forget Your Registration
In New York, all motorcycle registrations expire annually on April 30, regardless of when you first registered. Before you take that first spring ride, make sure your registration is current.
Renewing is simple and can be done online, but don’t overlook it. Riding with an expired registration can result in fines and unnecessary headaches.
Join Us for the 36th Annual ABATE Safety & Awareness Run
Help kick off the season at the 36th Annual ABATE Safety & Awareness Run, beginning on Franklin Street in downtown Buffalo on May 2nd. Our program starts with the Pledge of Allegiance shortly after 11 am, followed by our guest speakers, and then KSU by noon.
This annual tradition marks the start of Motorcycle Safety & Awareness Month and sends an important message to the public: Share the Road! It’s also a great opportunity to connect with fellow riders and start the season strong.
Before You Twist the Throttle
In summary, a little preparation now can make all the difference:
✔ Service and inspect your motorcycle
✔ Practice before riding in traffic
✔ Review and increase your insurance coverage
✔ Understand the new point system changes
✔ Renew your registration
✔ Join the ABATE Run on May 2nd
The start of riding season is something we all look forward to in Western New York, especially after a winter like we just had. Take the time to prepare properly — and let’s do what we can to make 2026 a safe and fun season for everyone on two or three wheels.
