The weather is comfortable, leaves are changing colours to golden yellow and fiery red, the air is pure crisp and many of Ontario’s scenic routes are filled with motorcycle riders during this time of year. Before you plan your next epic ride, read these important safety tips:

Wet and dry leaves

As beautiful as the leaves are during this time of year, they can also be dangerous to motorcycle riders. Wet leaves from the rain can be slippery, while dry leaves can cover any potholes or any additional conditions. When approaching a pile of leaves on the road, be cautious and drive slowly. Give yourself extra time to get to your destination.

Wildlife

When riding on cottage roads or Ontario’s Highlands, there’s a chance you could spot some wildlife. This time of year is usually deer season which means there’s a chance you’ll see a deer darting across the road. As a motorcycle rider, don’t swerve to avoid the deer. Instead, brake hard until the potential collision with the animal. Deer also tend to travel in herds, if you spot one deer there might be a few more in the area.

Shortage of daylight

With the days getting shorter, there’s only so much riding time left. During this time of year, the sun is lower on the horizon, and the sun glare is stronger. There’s also changing sunrise and sunset times in the fall. Adjust your speed accordingly.

Temperatures

In fall we often experience cooler mornings and evenings, with warm afternoons. If you are going on a motorcycle trip or know you’re going to be on the road for a long time, be sure to pack extra clothing and dress in layers including a base layer and gear liner. A leather motorcycle jacket not only looks good, but it will keep you sheltered from the wind and keep you warm. It’s also a good idea to be prepared and bring any rain gear.

Morning frost

Even though it’s not quite winter yet, morning frost and icy patches can still appear on the roads, especially in shaded areas. Slippery black ice can also make an appearance during your ride and can be tough to spot. Be extra cautious on wet and damp days.

Ontario looks stunning decked in fall foliage and it’s a terrific time for motorcycle riders to plan a bike trip or ride to the cottage. Before you heed to the call of the open road, perform a maintenance check to make sure your bike is in good condition and watch the weather forecast. Make sure Desjardins motorcycle insurance is up to date. Learn more about Desjardins’ auto insurance coverage.

Be safe and happy riding!