When you go to a ride day or a race at your local motorcycle club your bike will need to pass scrutineering before you are allowed on the track. Scrutineering checks are not extreme and are really only there to keep the riders as safe as possible. These checks however can be daunting if you are not experienced and don’t understand what will be looked at.

#1

Firstly make sure all the protective gear is clean and packed. Things that are compulsory for junior riders are boots, pants, jersey, body armour, gloves, helmet and goggles. While things like elbow and knee pads aren’t compulsory we do highly suggest you get a set and use them as these parts of the body are often what hits the ground first in a crash.

#2

Fuel the bike up so you have a full tank of fuel ready at the start of the day. Your first day at the track can be a lot to take in and you don’t want to be forgetting to put fuel in your bike on the morning of the race. Get a fuel drum and fill it up ready to take with you to use throughout the day.

#3

Check the oil and coolant in the bike and top up if necessary. For two-stroke bikes with premix oil tanks, fill the tank up so it’s ready to go.

#4

Go over all the pivot points on the bike like the levers, footpegs, throttle and kickstart. Make sure they are all tight but operating as normal. Make sure the throttle is self-closing. If not then give these pivot points a spray with some lubrication.

#5

Check your wheel and frame bearings for any movement. If there is any movement in any of these areas then your bike will fail scrutineering and you will not be allowed to ride it.

#6

Check your tyre pressures and if low set them to the correct pressures. Tyres naturally deflate over time and if it has been some time since you last rode the bike then they will likely be low which puts you at a higher risk of getting a flat tyre.

#7

Check for any oil leaks; things like leaking fork seals will cause you to fail scrutineering. Also check for any loose spokes and tighten as well as check and lubricate your chain to make sure it is safe and ready to go. Also check your brake pads to make sure they are working correctly and have plenty of material left on the pads.

Dos

  • Pay attention when washing your bike and order and replace any damaged or worn parts long before your next race day.
  • Ask your club scrutineer or call a bike shop with any questions about the bike that you may not be sure about.
  • Look up your club website or contact your state controlling body for any help joining a club or to get involved in motorcycle racing.

Don’ts

  • Leave it to the night before the race to prep your bike because if you need any parts you won’t be able to get them.
  • Leave it until race day morning; you will have enough to do getting to the track, setting up and doing sign on.
  • Risk it; if any parts are likely to fail scrutineering then replace them as your kids will be extremely disappointed if you take them to the track to ride but they have to watch instead because of a worn wheel bearing.

TOOLS

Chain lube, oil, fuel, spanners, T-bars

WARNING

If you fail to check over your bike before a race meeting and it doesn’t pass scrutineering then you will have an extremely disappointed child if they have to sit on the sideline and watch for the day.

HOW DO WE GET STARTED?

The best place to start would be the Motorcycling Australia website. From there you can find the State Controlling Body for your state and a link to the relevant website. Once you have done that you can search for clubs local to your area and join them by paying a membership fee. One you are a member you can apply for a licence and start to participate in race and ride days. Each state’s rules and regulations can be different so it is important to follow the those set out and specified in your own state.