Autumn has officially arrived, but for classic motorcycle owners, that doesn’t have to mean the end of the riding season.
A dry September or October day can still provide some excellent riding, but taking a classic out at this time of year isn’t quite the same as heading out in the middle of summer.
Cooler temperatures, changing road conditions and shorter days all bring their own considerations, particularly when you’re riding a motorcycle that may have been built several decades ago.
None of that means leaving the bike in the garage. It just means knowing your motorcycle, keeping an eye on the conditions and making a few small adjustments to how you approach the ride.
Your Classic Will Notice the Change Too
It’s not just the rider who notices the drop in temperature.
Anyone familiar with older motorcycles will know that some classics have their own preferred starting routine, and cooler autumn mornings can make those individual characteristics even more apparent.
Carburetted motorcycles in particular may need a little more attention when starting from cold, and giving the engine sufficient time to warm before asking too much of it is good practice.
It’s part of the experience of owning an older motorcycle. You get to know what it likes, what it doesn’t and the particular routine that gets it running happily.
Quieter Roads
With the school holidays over and the busiest summer months behind us, some of the country’s most popular riding routes begin to quieten down.
For anyone riding a classic, that can make autumn particularly enjoyable. These aren’t necessarily motorcycles you take out because you need to get somewhere quickly. Often, the enjoyment comes from choosing a good road, settling into the ride and experiencing the motorcycle as it was designed to be ridden.
Quieter roads give you more opportunity to do exactly that.
A favourite stretch of road, a stop for lunch and a different route home can be more than enough to fill an afternoon. After all, not every ride needs to be an expedition.
Sometimes a couple of hours on roads you know well is exactly what owning a classic motorcycle is all about.
Autumn Roads Need a Little More Attention
As the season changes, so do the roads.
Lower temperatures, overnight rain and fewer hours of sunlight can mean damp patches remain for longer, particularly on shaded country roads. Fallen leaves and low autumn sun can also add another consideration to a familiar route.
On a classic motorcycle, particularly one with braking and suspension technology from another era, being aware of those changing conditions becomes even more important.
It doesn’t mean avoiding your favourite roads. It’s simply about riding to the conditions, allowing a little more time and remembering that the same stretch of tarmac you rode in July may feel quite different by late September.
Before heading out, it’s also worth giving the motorcycle the usual checks, including tyre condition and pressures, lights and fluid levels. With daylight disappearing earlier, making sure everything is as it should be before setting off becomes even more worthwhile.
Before Winter Arrives
For some owners, winter marks the point when their classic motorcycle is tucked away until spring. Others will continue riding whenever the weather allows.
Either way, these early weeks of autumn provide a great opportunity to put a few more miles on the clock before winter properly sets in.
It’s a chance to revisit a favourite route, head somewhere new or simply take the motorcycle out for a couple of hours while the weather is on your side.
There will be plenty of time for winter maintenance, workshop jobs and planning next year’s adventures when the colder weather arrives.
For now, there are still roads to ride.
Make the Most of Autumn
We’re firm believers that classic motorcycles should be enjoyed.
The history, engineering and craftsmanship are a huge part of what makes these machines special, but so too is the experience of actually riding them.
So, if the forecast is looking good this autumn, pull the cover off, check the tyres, fill the tank and make the most of it.
Winter will be here soon enough.