Your Gear Guide to: Essential Gear for Fall Motorcycle Riding
We wouldn’t own this company if it weren’t for our passion for motorcycles. Through continual education, co-owner Jeff Zoerb has become a go-to guy for motorcycle repair here in Western New York, but he also enjoys riding bikes. So does his wife, and Moto Z co-owner Deanna, who also enjoys taking out the bikes. This is who we are, and anyone who’s ever hung out with us at track days can see it runs in our blood. Fall motorcycle riding isn’t for everyone, but if you’re from the Northeast, you know there's a science to it and ensuring it goes well. Just because we’re hitting our fall stride doesn’t mean you can’t still get out and ride!
Today on the blog, we’re dropping some tips and reminders for fall motorcycle riding for anyone out there who’s daring enough to take a spin on a motorcycle!
Avoid Trench Foot
One of the most important aspects of fall riding apparel is what’s on your feet. It starts inside of the shoe, though, starting with waterproof socks. Ski socks, thick socks, waterproof socks of any kind that you know keep your feet warm. Insulation is your friend, and this is why it’s important to consider your footwear, because when shopping for motorcycle boots, you need to consider these times.
Chillier rides will require thicker socks, so you may need a bit more room in your boot. Consider buying an alternative set of boots that you use in colder temperatures, so you don’t need to skimp out and wear your girl’s summer no-show socks to get your boots on your feet. NON-SLIP grip soles are a lifesaver, even when hopping out on a wet cement pad to gas up or break from the rain.
Antifog Visor on Your Motorcycle Helmet
Fall can provide some really unique colors when getting out in the rural areas of the northeast, but not if you can’t see through your visor. You’ll want to be sure you have a fog-resistant helmet, especially if you plan to get out on the road early, dealing with mist and fog.
Another aspect you should consider is that during the fall, golden hour and morning sun angles are intense, so you may want to make sure you have a motorcycle helmet with a built-in sun visor that blocks glare from the rising or setting sun.
Multiple Layers / Options
Where we come from, we’re just getting bundled up to stay warm in the fall and winter, but the weather can be unpredictable, and if you’re not prepared, you could end up ruining your ride. A jacket with a removable waterproof liner can provide relief in cold mornings and warmer afternoon days.
Temperature can fluctuate, so it’s important to remember you may need to swap options as the day changes. On the bottom layer, you should consider wearing something moisture-wicking on the base, and insulating layers above that, and a nice windproof top layer, that’s ideally also waterproof.
A Waterproof Fall Motorcycle Jacket
Wearing proper protection when you ride is important all year round, but if you’re thinking about going out in the fall, you could be dealing with some elements that require additional safety measures. You’ll want some padding on your jacket that will protect you in the case of cold, wet roads.
Your motorcycle jacket's shell should be waterproof, because though waterproof liners are effective, they also tend to fill up and soak with rainwater and add significant weight to your body. However, if it’s not going to rain and there are dry roads ahead, a removable waterproof jacket liner can definitely add some insulation on a brisk day.
Quality, Warm, but Flexible Motorcycle Gloves
Fall riding can be chilly, and you don’t want your hands locking up in the cold. To keep them nice and fluid, find a nice thick, weather-resistant motorcycle glove. Insulation helps, but you want to make sure you still have good flexibility; you don’t want to just be wearing grandma’s mittens out here. Some waterproof motorcycle gloves even include a little “wiper blade” to slide the water off your visor.
Pick Your Pants for the Weather
Rain or no rain? This will help you choose what motorcycle pants you plan to wear in the fall. If you’re in a rainy area or there’s a chance of rain, you may want to look at something with Gore-Tex or another waterproof material to keep you dry. This material, like leather, won’t be the best at breathing, so if the weather is going to get warm, you may want to look at some textile or mesh pants for an extra layer over your casual clothes. Vented jeans and removable liners can also be helpful for cold-weather riding.
Hopefully, if this is your first fall season or you needed a little push to get out there this fall, this blog was helpful for our fellow riders out there. If you are looking for some new apparel, we recommend you check out our Men’s Gear & Women’s Motorcycle Jackets, Gloves, and Pants here on Moto Z!
We handpick everything we sell because they are brands we believe in and feel proud to represent. If you see something here on Moto Z, you can trust that it’s the highest quality out there. Happy riding! Be sure to follow our fam on Facebook and Instagram to see some fun stuff around the shop, special deals, sales, used bikes for sale, and maybe even some track day content!
