Getting ready for season

[New_rider417]

I'm about to drop some money into the SV to get her in proper order, and do the regular maint that is now due. Nothing at all is wrong with her now, but I'm a big fan of staying ahead of the game.
I work on all my 4 wheeled vehicles and really never take them to a shop, and I would like to be able to do the basic stuff with my bike too. I'm such a new-b when in comes to 2-wheeled transportation and I don't know if the same ideas apply to a bike that do to a cager. So I'm coming to you all for help

Oil - My buddies that ride recomend Amsoil. Is that more or less considered the way to go?

Oil Filter - I run Wix in my truck, whats the brand of choice for a bike?

Air Filter - I use K&N's in my cagers, not because I think they make it get noticeably better mileage, power, etc. But becuase I can clean them instead of having to keep buying new ones. Is there a better rechargeable filter or is K&N fine?

Is there anything else I should check/change/replace as a preventative measure before riding season really gets into full swing?

[Clint]

The season's half over. I'd just stabilize the fuel and call it quits.

Amsoil is fine, but it's expensive. I like Mobil 1 10-30 or 15-50. Search "synthetic" for much more info.

About any oil filter besides Fram is ok. K&N air filters can lean out your mixture enough that you need to rejet. I'd stick with OEM. You only need a new one every few years or about 10,000 miles anyway.

Check your chain and sprockets for wear. Check the tires for cracks or damage. Check all fasteners for snugness. Basically, read the manual. Then check your helmet and other gear. Get out and ride!

[Freakinout]

The season's half over. I'd just stabilize the fuel and call it quits.

My season was half over 2 months ago, it has been a monsoon almost every day. We're already over our average yearly rainfall.... and it isn't even june yet

Needs to stop raining so I can ride again before the asphalt starts to melt

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

Amsoil is fine, but it's expensive. I like Mobil 1 10-30 or 15-50. Search "synthetic" for much more info.

About any oil filter besides Fram is ok. K&N air filters can lean out your mixture enough that you need to rejet. I'd stick with OEM. You only need a new one every few years or about 10,000 miles anyway.

Check your chain and sprockets for wear. Check the tires for cracks or damage. Check all fasteners for snugness. Basically, read the manual. Then check your helmet and other gear. Get out and ride!

+1

[New_rider417]

Rowdy Thanks for the replies buddy I'll see what kind of other synthetic oils I can find locally, I've been having some trouble finding someone with Amsoil in stock.
If I decide to go with a K&N and a rejet what kind of power difference could I see? I've had a couple buddies mention doing that. I don't know if it all works the same, but a friend did it to his quad (Scrambler) and it was amazing how much better it made it run.
I keep my chain well lubed, but I don't know what to look for with a bad chain... A friend said to roll backward to check the sprocket. Mine doesn't make any clicking noises when I do that. Does that mean its ok?
New Pirelli Stradas should be on sometime next week which is good since the Metzelers on there now are in some sad shape...
I don't have a manual Should I check/replace the brake/cooling fluids?

Freakinout No kidding! It's been raining here, or at least a chance for rain for what seems like forever here. At least I've been getting some wet weather miles under my belt.

[Clint]

You'd see a few to about 10 hp with a rejet and filter. It's not like what you can do with a two-stroke, but it can improve cold starting.

To check a chain, get a manual and measure the required number of links. There are no reliable "roll it backwards" tests that I'm aware of.

I'd check or replace any fluids that you can't verify how old they are. That's the only way to be sure.