What should you do before taking a long ride on your motorcycle?

Before embarking on a long ride on your motorcycle, it is essential to check tire pressure and fluid levels. This pre-ride inspection ensures that your motorcycle is operating safely and efficiently. Proper tire pressure is crucial for handling, stability, and overall safety while riding, as underinflated or overinflated tires can lead to poor performance and increase the risk of accidents. Checking fluid levels, such as oil and coolant, helps ensure that the engine operates smoothly and prevents overheating or mechanical failures during your ride.

The other options do not support safe riding practices. For instance, checking only the headlights is inadequate for a long ride, as a comprehensive safety check is necessary to address multiple safety aspects. Riding at maximum speed is reckless and ignores the importance of safe riding practices, which include being mindful of speed limits and road conditions. Additionally, skipping a safety check simply because you're familiar with the bike can lead to overlooking critical maintenance issues, which could compromise your safety on the road. Regular, thorough inspections before rides are key to maintaining both your safety and the performance of your motorcycle.