Two sport bike riders travel down the road during a fall sunset.

The fall months are a great time of year to take your motorcycle out on a ride. Rides are scenic and breathtaking with the beautiful colors of the changing leaves and crisp air. While enjoyable, riding in the fall has its own set of challenges and it’s important to make sure you’re prepared so that you can get the most out of your ride.

Here are four tips to help you stay safe on your fall motorcycle ride:

  1. Prepare for the season’s unpredictable weather. In the fall, temperatures can fluctuate quickly and unexpectedly. You’ll want to dress appropriately by wearing layers or heated gear to help keep you warm. If you get too hot while riding, you can always remove a layer to be more comfortable. Keeping rain gear and gloves on your bike is a good idea as well. You don’t want to be soaked while riding in the cold.
  2. Ensure your motorcycle is ready for fall riding. Your lights should all be working properly since they help other drivers on the road see you and it gets darker much earlier. Look at your headlights, taillights, brake lights and turn signals to make sure they are all in working condition. You’ll also want to make sure that you have the right tires for riding in colder weather. Sport tires that are normally great for summer riding will have less traction in cold weather. Putting touring tires on your bike will help you maintain control since the roads can get slippery, especially if there is a thin layer of frost or leaves on the road.
  3. Watch for leaves covering the road. While the changing colors of the leaves are one of the most beautiful parts of riding in the fall, they can also be very hazardous to motorcycle riders. With all the leaves falling from the trees and covering the road, things like potholes and other hazards underneath are not easily visible and can cause loss of control and an accident. If the leaves are wet from rain or frost, they can also be very slippery. Always approach covered sections of the road that are covered cautiously and carefully.
  4. Remain extra cautious. While motorcycle awareness should be at the top of mind while driving, many drivers on the road may not be expecting motorcycles to be on the road in colder weather. Unaware drivers make riding much more dangerous, especially when you factor in other things like weather and the fact that it gets darker much earlier in the fall. Make sure you’re extra careful when driving around other vehicles because you may need to react suddenly to escape a dangerous situation.

It is always important to be extra cautious while riding your bike, especially in the fall. Following these important tips will help make sure your motorcycle ride is safe and enjoyable. Hupy and Abraham, S.C. has been promoting safety and motorcycle awareness for decades. The firm is an advocate for motorcycle riders, promoting the “Watch for Motorcycles” campaign, which helps save riders’ lives. Stay tuned to HUPY.COM to stay updated on motorcycle safety tips, videos and upcoming events.

If you’re injured on the road, Hupy and Abraham is here for you.  We’ve helped over 70,000 clients receive over $1 billion for their injuries. Call 800-800-5678 or visit HUPY.COM today so we can help you.