Stay Cool On Your Motorcycle This Summer

“It’s too damn hot to ride today.”

That’s the response many riders have when the mercury tops out. Yet, there are still a bunch of us riders that just need to be on our bikes whenever we have the chance, even if it means being out in the sweltering heat of the dog days of summer.

Riding in those extremely high temps does need to be done with caution, though.  With the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke ever present, riding in extreme heat can be one of the most hazardous times to ride. Just getting these forms of heat related illnesses is bad enough, but when they happen while you’re riding your bike, it can lead to even more problems.  Some of the symptoms are dizziness, light-headedness, muscle weakness, confusion, disorientation, or even unconsciousness.  It’s pretty hard to operate a motorcycle with any of that going on.

That might be some scary stuff, but it can all be avoided when you take the right precautions when you go for a ride in the heat. Listed below are some of the things that will allow you to ride in the heat safely.

Mesh or Perforated Jacket

So often you will see riders in just a t-shirt out in the hot sun. That might seem like the obvious solution. Less clothing equals less heat. That’s true to a point, but you still need to be protected from the sun, wind and of course the asphalt.

Throwing on a jacket may seem like the last thing that you want to do when it’s so hot.  In the past, that was more the case, but with the new advancements in mesh and perforated motorcycle jackets, you can stay cool enough to ride safely. When you are looking at summer motorcycle jackets, you want to look for the most air flow. That means a ton of intake and exhaust vents. You want the air to flow in with cooler air and then out the back taking the hot air with. It will also help to remove some of the extra sweat from your body, which creates a cooling effect.

Staying Hydrated

It’s easy to keep riding without rehydrating your body when it’s hot out, especially when you are trying to get to your destination quickly. When sweat is evaporated from your skin, it creates a cooling effect. So, to keep producing sweat, you need to continually replenish your fluids. The extra evaporation of sweat that is caused by the wind on a motorcycle can speed up the dehydration because your body cannot keep up with sweat production.

It’s recommended that you drink about 16 oz of water every hour of riding in the heat. That may sound like a lot and you may think that it would make you have to pee a lot, but you would be surprised at how much you can drink without having to go to the bathroom in hot weather.

If stopping for fluids all of the time doesn’t sound too appealing to you, a hydration pack might be your best option. These water-bladder filled backpacks allow you to drink and hydrate on the go so you don’t have to keep pulling over to get a drink.

Athletic Base Layers

All of your sweating will do you no good if you can’t get it off of your skin. Cotton t-shirts tend to hold the moisture in without allowing it to evaporate very quickly.  Athletic base layers are designed to wick the moisture away from your skin to speed up the evaporating process. Plus, they allow a bit of muscle compression to minimize muscle fatigue. Once you wear these on a hot ride, you won’t ever want to ride in hot weather without them.

Cooling Vest & Neck Cooler

If you still need help staying cool, a cooling evaporative vest is what you need. Vests like the ones from Hyper Kewl, use the same evaporation process that your body uses to create a chilling effect. All you need to do is dunk the vest in water for a few minutes and you are good to go. The water absorbed in the vest will evaporate as you ride and the chilling effect can last anywhere from 4-10 hours depending on the amount of air flow.

It’s much better than just dumping water all over your clothes. First of all, the waterproof liner will keep your clothes underneath from getting wet, which could cause chaffing. Second, the effects will last much longer than just dousing yourself in water.

You can get even more evaporative coverage with a cooling neck band. Your neck is often left exposed to the elements. The neck band will keep your neck covered along with keeping it cool for a long period of time.

Take Breaks in the Shade or A/C

Finally, you can’t be in a huge hurry on the hottest riding days. You need to take some time to pull over and take breaks in the shade or in a building with A/C. This will give your body and mind a chance to recover. It will also give you time to grab some more water and a snack.

If you follow these tips, you will have a more fun and safe ride in the hot weather.  What are some tips that you follow?  Let us know in the comments.