3 Reasons Why Fall is a Good Time to Buy a Motorcycle

Shorter days, changing leaves and dropping temps all herald the end of the Riding Season (at least for us in Northern New York and similar climates). 

One last ride before my bike went for her nap!

You might be thinking that, since you'll probably be storing any motorcycle you get now until Spring, it isn't the best time to buy one. 

But it actually is. Here's why:

1. Less is More: I've blogged about how Bikes Call to People no matter what time of year we're in. However, those who bought their bike at the beginning of and during the season are now no longer looking. This translates to less competition and more opportunities for you, the buyer.
2. Other Ways to Save: Having less people after the same bike you want means you have a little more time to shop banks & lenders -especially if you've got a good to great credit score. This will potentially save you thousands in interest! Keep in mind tho- a little time is not a lot... give it 8 business days max. 
3. Extended Manufacturer's Warranty: The MoCo is offering an extension on their limited Two Year Warranty when you get a new 2016 through 2018 model year H-D® Motorcycle*, to make up for the 'lost' winter months we won't be riding. Who said leftovers were a bad thing? Get the deets by clicking here.

So, if you've been wanting to get a motorcycle all summer long and somehow didn't, allow this to be your motivation to get it done. NOW!

Going Fall Throttle - 5 tips for great Autumn Rides

Anyone who has lived in the Northeast during the three months of Fall knows that Mother Nature puts on one hell of a show! And the predictions for 2018 are that it'll be an Awesome Autumn up in the Adirondacks.

Gazebo in Harrisville, NY

Some of the best riding of the year can be had in the vast Adirondack mountain wilderness to the east of FX Caprara Harley-Davidson. The vistas that now have blazing orange, red and yellow can be breath-taking. 

Looking for New Roads to Ride? Get with the NNY H.O.G. Chapter or check out GoTourNY.com

But before heading out to fall in love with all the Fall colors, here's a few tips to take with you down the road:

Cool roads & tires can affect your traction -make sure you've got the right tire pressure!

• Do your T-CLOCS Inspection

Pay particular attention to your tire pressure (cooler temps can cause the pressure in your tires to go significantly lower!) and your lights (all the better to see and be seen with!).

• Check the Weather

The weather in the valley can differ greatly from what they're getting up on the mountain, so check all the points you plan on riding to know before you go. Plus it never hurts to take your Rain Gear.

FXRG Layers will help keep you warm while looking cool

• Look cool, but stay warm

It might be warm when you start out, but things can quickly change so you'll want to layer up. A good base layer (Harley-Davidson's FXRG line is good to start), wind proof jacket (in a pinch you can use your rain gear b/c waterproof = wind proof), chaps and a good Leather Riding Jacket with a removable liner is just what I've been recommending for years.

Neck gators, 3/4 or full face helmets, and insulated gauntlet gloves will complete your look -plus help fight against the cold. And a 'Hi-Vis' top layer will help you be more visible to the cagers.

• Be aware of the Road Conditions

Leaves gathering on the asphalt and in turns, wet pavement, slick 'tar snakes', frost & fog, etc., etc. -watch for these potential hazards and plan ahead for how you'll ride through or around them as necessary.

Let's not forget increased traffic -thousands of tourists come from all around the world to enjoy Autumn in the Adirondacks. Leave yourself enough of a 'cushion' so that they'll have more time to see you -not that they will... When you see someone waiting to turn left and they're going to cross your path, take that as an immediate threat to you! Slow down, cover your brakes and prepare to take evasive action.

Photo by Scott Jackson on Unsplash

• Please Deer, not tonight

The fall months mean it's that romantic time of year for our furry four-legged friends as well!! That, along with the fact that farmers are out in the fields harvesting their crops, means deer are more active.  

Best advice is to ride during the day only..... but that's not always doable so when you have to ride at night, go at the speed limit or slower (within reason) and stick to the main roads (as opposed to the back country roads for obvious reasons). For more deer avoidance tips, check out this Common Tread Post.

How to Look Like a Bad-Ass Biker this Fall

Crisp days and longer nights. Cool enough to wear a hoodie and boots, but not so cool that you'll need a puffy coat. And nobody did it better than The Queen of Bikers: Gemma Teller (aka Katey Sagal in her Sons of Anarchy roll).

Katey, in real life married to Sons creator Kurt Sutter, is not actually involved with motorcycle gangs (that I know of anyways)- but she sure had one great wardrobe while on set. Tank tops layered with plaid and lace, jewelry, leather jackets and those boots gave the perfect image to match her character's attitude - which was fearless.

Why not embrace a full biker dress while wandering around with your gang this Fall. Don't be scared- just roll on the throttle and go with it.

Side Note- You don't have to go far or wait days for these fashions to arrive. We've got 'em at FX Caprara Harley-Davidson now. Not close to us? Find it online with Harley.

The Relaxed Fit Plaid Shirt: 

Bring a slightly oversized (but not sloppy) look with the Relaxed Fit Plaid Shirt (96019-18VW). Believe me when I say this layer is soft and lightweight. This long sleeve top goes perfectly over a skinny tank and distressed jeans. 

Caution- Soft Shoulder:

Crochet Lace Shoulder (96010-18VW) is the "it" tee for Fall. The washed cotton, lace yoke and button placket lend a familiar, worn feel to this top. A special touch- faded graphics encircle the hem.

The Lace-Up Tall Boot:

A fan favorite, the Belhaven (D87082) women's leather riding boot is a tall lace up with iconic H-D appeal and classic heritage styling. A top to bottom locking zipper lets the long laces do the talking.

A little-bit higher now:

The Ludwell (D83831) gives you that Harley lift, both in body and spirit. A chunky styled 4-inch heel supporting a 5.5-inch shaft with an ankle strap below the classic Bar & Shield. I think these boots were pulled right out of Gemma's closet.

Brighten things up:

When it comes to jewelry and Harley-Davidson, MOD rules the road. The Milestone Locket Collection are stainless steal lockets that house a beautiful assortment of charms and backplates that can be customized for every type of woman out there.

Essential for Layering:

Perfectly faded with raw-edges for a worn-in look, the Genuine Pullover Hoodie (99100-17VW) sports twill tape trim around the hood and lacing on the cuffs. The traditional Bar & Shield logo has that distressed look for a vintage vibe.

The quintessential Leather Jacket:

A jacket so epic, it's been 115 years in the making. This Women's 115th Anniversary Leather Jacket (98010-18VW) has hints of blue stitching and contrasting underlay that complement the design details and colors of the 115th Anniversary motorcycles. Of course this jacket is more than good looking- it's road ready.

Top it Off:

This classy women's flat top hat (99421-18VW)gets an update to mark the H-D 115th. It stylishly combos with mesh panels and rivets for contrasting texture. Bonus: shimmering metallic embroidery to catch the eye.

The Future is so Bright, You Gotta:

See the world from a new lens with Tori by Wylie X (HATOR01). Beauty- with bling in the right places, and brains- meets ANSI requirements.

The Best Fall Leaf Peeping Trips are by Motorcycle.

Even though the calendar now says we're into Autumn, Mother Nature (in Northern NY anyways) has deemed it to be Summer - temps in the 70's & 80's with big, white cumulus clouds in the sky.

But regardless, the shorter days and cooler temps are coming and will trigger the

My fav tree in my backyard

leaves to throw on their many coat of colors. That plus the many Fall Festivals & Events going on throughout our area make this the perfect time to jump on the bike and do some Leaf Peeping.

Just some quick tips from FX Caprara Harley-Davidson: 1)Do your T-CLOCS inspection - make sure your bike is ready to go. 2) Dress in layers, especially if you plan to be out for the entire day. 3) Watch for wet leaves in the corners and frost on the road in the early morning. 4) Be sure to bring a camera or that your phone is fully charged so you can take as many pictures of the b-e-a-utiful scenery as you like. 5) Leaf Peeping is really a thing for a lot of folks, and they'll be taking to the roads as well this time of year. Watch out for cagers who aren't paying attention.

Here's my idea of a perfect Fall Ride in the Adirondacks:

Gazebo in Harrisville on the Oswegatchie River

1) Start off with a Good Breakfast: Just like your bike, you'll need a good tank of fuel to get you through the day. My favorite spots are Gram's Diner in Adams (they are on vacation 9/25-10/3) or Lloyd's of Lowville in Lowville of course. 

2) From Lowville (pronounced "Lau-ville" by the locals), take Route 812 up to Bonaparte's Cave State Forest and take a hike in

The Adirondack Hotel is popular with riders & non-riders alike

the region where Napoleon's brother once eluded hired assassins. 

3) Take Route 812 back to Harrisville, then jump on State Route 3 heading East. In Tupper Lake follow Route 30 to Long Lake. Just about now you might be hankering for lunch, and the Adirondack Hotel is a perfect spot to grab some grub.

4) After lunch hop back on Route 30 going South to State Route 28 and head West. Enjoy the views of Raquette, Seventh and the Fulton Chain Lakes as you ride into Old Forge. A stop at the Old Forge Hardware Store is a must because they have everything.

Inside Old Forge Hardware Store

5) Continue West on 28 until you get to Route 12, jump on that heading North. It won't be too long before you'll be in the quaint village of Boonville. If you're wanting dinner, a place to stop for the night, check out the Boonville Hotel - a great place for both.

Or you can ride with Northern New York H.O.G. Chapter on their Fall Foliage Ride, October 7th. Meet at FXCHD at 11am, KSU at 11:30.

Of course you can do your own thing too - check out Go Tour NY for more rides/routes in the Adirondack & 1000 Islands regions. Just as long as you take the time and celebrate Autumn in the Adirondacks the best way possible - by Motorcycle. 

10 Reasons To Ride the Adirondacks this Fall

Me & my Girlfriends on Lake Ontario

I love summer!! I was born in the summer, my zodiac is a "Sun Sign" (Leo), the warmer temperatures, long days, BBQ, backyard camp fires, and everything in bloom. And going for a motorcycle ride 'just to cool off' is sssooo much fun - sometimes riding all the day long with friends and making some great memories along the way. So as the leaves change their colors, and the daylight shortens, I'm a bit sad every year as summer comes to a close.

But on the plus side, Autumn in Northern New York does put on a wonderful show. Here's my top 10 reasons why I love riding in the Adirondacks in the Fall.

1. Crisp Air: the temps drop and usually that means not as many bugs! Although if you're starting out in the early morning hours be wary of frost/ice on the roads.
2. The Light Show: Sunsets are more spectacular in

   

   Autumn Sunset hitting the clouds
   while riding home...

   the Fall (here's the science as to why). Reminder: take an extra set of clear goggles for after the sun sets. 
3. Leather Weather: I love the smell of leather, and this time of year I'm wearing a lot of it. Dressing in layers on a motorcycle is key for rider & passenger comfort! 
4. All The B-E-A-utiful Colors: I grew up in Northern California, San Francisco Bay Area - a place known for it's fog... That means I am truly amazed at the color show that Autumn in New York puts on every year. 
5. Cider Mills & Maple Farms: Hot off the press Apple Cider Donuts with Maple Butter..... *drooling* Need I say more?? If you're in the area, you've got to go to the Burrville Cider Mill - it's the best!!
6. Harvest Time: There's lots of dairy farms up

   

   Harrisville, NY

   where I live, so there are more than a few hay & corn fields to sustain the cows. Riding by a freshly harvested field, the way the earth smells... just spectacular. 
7. MLB Postseason: I love baseball, my SF Giants are in the pennant race this year, and Cooperstown - home of the Baseball Hall Of Fame - is a nice ride to take. Be sure to go through the Ilion Gorge to get there - sort of a very mini Tail of the Dragon. 
8. Fall Festivals: The hills are alive with fall festivals, jazz concerts, corn mazes and farm tours. 
9. Get Your Spook On: Sleepy Hollow is a legendary
   
   ride to take - just don't loose your head over it. 
10. The View: Just take all the above, numbers 1-9, and roll them all up together in one giant package. The light, sounds, smells and colors of it all. Now get out there and find out for yourself.