T-CLOCS pre-ride inspection checklist
T-CLOCS is the standard motorcycle pre-ride inspection, six groups of checks that take a few minutes and catch the things that end bike trips. Here's what each letter means and what to look for.
T-CLOCS is a pre-ride inspection routine popularised by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. The acronym walks you through the bike in a logical order so nothing gets skipped: Tires & wheels, Controls, Lights & electrics, Oil & fluids, Chassis, and Stands.
Run it before a big ride, and a quick version before every ride. It takes a few minutes and catches the low tyre, loose bolt or worn chain that would otherwise leave a biker stranded far from help.
T: Tires & wheels
- Tyre pressure, set cold, to spec for load
- Tread depth and even wear; no cracks, cuts or embedded objects
- Wheels: no bent rims, no loose or missing spokes
- Wheel bearings: no play when you rock the wheel; brake discs not warped or scored
C: Controls
- Levers and pedal: firm, smooth, no cracks, correct free play
- Cables: no fraying, routed freely, not kinked at full lock
- Throttle snaps shut on its own from any steering angle
- Hoses: no bulges, cracks, leaks or chafing
L: Lights & electrics
- Battery terminals clean and tight; battery secured
- Headlight (high and low beam), tail and brake lights
- Indicators front and rear, and the horn
- Instruments and warning lights working; switches operate
O: Oil & other fluids
- Engine oil level and condition
- Coolant level (liquid-cooled bikes)
- Brake fluid and clutch fluid levels
- No leaks under the bike, check the ground where it's parked
C: Chassis
- Frame: no cracks at the steering head or welds; paint not lifting over a crack
- Suspension: forks and shock move smoothly, no leaks, correct preload
- Chain or belt tension and lubrication; sprockets not hooked (or shaft/drive fine)
- Fasteners: no loose or missing bolts and clips
S: Stands
- Side stand and centre stand not bent or cracked
- Springs in place and holding the stand up
- Cut-out switch works: engine cuts when you shift into gear with the side stand down
Log what you find. A maintenance garage, like the one built into Apex Rider, lets you track service by distance and fuel economy, so a worn chain or an overdue oil change is flagged before the trip, not on it.
Frequently asked questions
What does T-CLOCS stand for?
T-CLOCS stands for Tires & wheels, Controls, Lights & electrics, Oil & other fluids, Chassis, and Stands. It's a pre-ride inspection routine popularised by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation that walks through the bike in a logical order.
How often should I do a T-CLOCS inspection?
Run a full T-CLOCS check before any big ride or tour, and a quick version (tyres, controls, lights, leaks and chain) before every ride. It takes only a few minutes and catches problems before they become roadside breakdowns.
Is T-CLOCS only for new riders?
No. It's a standard used by bikers of all levels because a consistent routine is what stops small issues being missed. Experienced riders run it faster, but the checks are just as valuable before a long or remote trip.
Plan it with Apex Rider
Apex Rider turns this planning into one offline-first app: download your whole tour so navigation works past the last cell tower, run pre-ride checks and a maintenance garage, and set up crash-detection SOS and live crew tracking for the road. Free to download on Google Play and the App Store.