There’s nothing quite like the first proper classic motorcycle ride of summer.
You open the garage door and there it is – your classic motorcycle..
A bit dusty maybe, tyres a little soft but still full of promise.
You’ve missed it.
Missed the sound it makes when it fires up.
Missed the way it carries you through quiet back roads like it knows the way better than you do.
This isn’t just a machine. It’s part of the summer ritual.
Give It a Bit of Love Before You Head Off
If it’s been sitting for a while, your bike’s going to need a bit of attention. Nothing too heavy – just a once-over to make sure it’s ready to go. Tyres, oil, lights, brakes… the usual suspects.
You know the drill.
It’s not about perfection – it’s about respect.
These bikes are built to run but they still appreciate a little care before they stretch their legs.
Find the Right Kind of Road
Summer riding isn’t about setting records or chasing lap times. It’s about taking the long way home. Finding the roads that twist and roll, the ones with a view around every bend. The kind where you don’t mind pulling over just to soak it all in.
Dig out the route you’ve been meaning to try. Or revisit an old favourite. The kind of ride that leaves you sun-warmed, grinning and maybe just a little deaf from the engine note.
Going the Extra Mile – Abroad on a Classic
For those feeling a bit more adventurous, summer is the perfect time to take your classic across the channel. Picture it: the Dolomites in the distance, warm air rushing past, the twist of an Italian mountain pass beneath your tyres.
Europe’s open roads were made for machines like these.
There’s something poetic about taking an Italian classic home – whether it’s a Ducati, MV Agusta or Moto Parilla, riding one through Italy is as good as it gets.
It’s the kind of trip you talk about for years afterwards. And if your classic’s up for it, we say go.
Soak It Up
Summer is never as long as you think it will be. One minute you’re wheeling the bike out into the sun, the next you’re brushing off leaves. So get out there. Even if it’s just an hour after work, a ride to nowhere in particular or a quick run out to the coast.
Let the bike do what it was built to do. Let you do what you were built to do – ride, tinker, explore and enjoy.
Closing Thoughts
If you’re lucky enough to have a classic motorcycle in your life, summer is the time to make the most of it.
Get the miles in. Get a little bit lost. And if the clouds roll in – well, that’s why we always carry a waterproof and a few good stories.