The warm and beautiful fall days tempt many bikers to enjoy the last rides in a moderate climate. But the transitional period has its pitfalls. Damp and dirty roads with wet leaves on them increase the risk of accidents, as do hoar frost in the morning and poor visibility. We have put together some tips for safe driving during this time.
With its brightly colored deciduous forests, autumn once again stages a whole firework display of vibrant colors. But this time of year has a lot to offer and harbors numerous dangers for motorcyclists. As soon as the sun has disappeared, it gets noticeably colder. The transitions are particularly noticeable in the morning and evening hours. If you freeze on your bike, it will affect your concentration. Choosing the right clothing is therefore crucial to safety.
As beautiful as the autumn sun may be, it can also be treacherous. If it is low in the sky, it is often dazzling. If your visor is dirty or scratched, you will be almost blind. Pay particular attention to a clean visor without scratches so that you can always see through it. Incidentally, the sun doesn't just dazzle two-wheelers. Bikers are even more easily overlooked at this time of year. We have briefly summarized the dangers of motorcycling in autumn for you.
In fall and winter, it can get very cold in the morning and evening hours. The right clothing is essential for adapting to the changing weather conditions. A windproof and waterproof motorcycle suit is an essential part of the standard equipment. Ideally, a thermal lining should be part of the equipment. In addition, warm functional underwear protects you from the cold. At the same time, it quickly absorbs moisture and wicks it away from the body.
The so-called onion-skin principle has proven to be particularly effective. The clothing consists of several layers of different thicknesses and you can adapt it flexibly to changing conditions. Make sure that you and your passenger are always wearing high-contrast and safe protective clothing.
A helmet tested according to the ECE standard is not only mandatory in Germany. The cold wind from outside, the warm air from inside - the visor fogs up and there is a real safety risk. In addition to various anti-fogging agents, you can also use a Pinlock inner visor. Protect your head from cooling down with a good balaclava under your helmet.
For motorcyclists, correct behavior in difficult situations is literally vital for survival. Rider safety training courses enable you to learn and practise the correct cornering and steering techniques as well as consistent and appropriate braking.
Autumn is not only waiting for you with fog, cold and darkness. There are more harvest vehicles on the roads during these weeks. You should therefore always expect a tractor or other agricultural vehicle to suddenly turn into your lane from the side, especially on blind or narrow roads. With extra-wide vehicles, it can suddenly become tight on bends.
Both reduce the grip of the tires considerably. A forward-looking driving style should therefore be a matter of course, especially in the cold season. This includes the following points:
It is important to keep your motorcycle in perfect condition all year round. It is particularly important to check the lighting system such as indicators, headlights and of course the rear light. If you are planning to modify your bike during the winter break, you will find a wide selection of high-quality add-on and spare parts at TECbike, from adapter cables to resistors.
What condition are the brakes in? Are the pads already at the wear limit or do they still have enough "food"? Does the chain have the correct tension?
All fluid levels must be in the green range to ensure reliable and flawless operation. Check the oil, brake and coolant levels at regular intervals. If you give your motorcycle battery regular care and attention, it will get you safely through the cold season.
A long motorcycle summer with many beautiful tours lies behind you and your bike. Do the tires still have enough tread to cope with wet roads and precipitation? What about the tire pressure, is it in line with the recommended values?
In the fall, darkness sets in earlier and the roads take longer to dry. This automatically shortens the tour. Plan your autumn motorcycle tour so that you arrive back home on time.
Even if the modern weather forecast is quite reliable for the next 10 days, you should always keep an eye on the current weather development, because in autumn some lows move in unexpectedly faster.
Adapt your clothing to the current weather conditions. That's why you can wear the full range of winter clothing from fall onwards:
And good luck to those who have the button for the grip heating just a thumb's width away.