Warm Weather Riding
Many people know about the potential hazards associated with riding their motorcycle in the rain, wind, and snow, but fewer are aware that hot weather can be just as dangerous in its own right. No, your bike won’t slip and slide around in the same way as it would on a wet road, but as a rider, you’ll have more dangerous conditions to battle. The reason for this is that the strain placed on the body by riding in combination with the stress of extreme heat and wind can lead to extreme dehydration, heat exhaustion, and even heat stroke. As Harley-Davidson® riders ourselves, we here at Biggs Harley-Davidson® understand the potential hazards of warm weather riding. We created this short guide to staying cool on a motorcycle to help our customers stay healthy and safe. When you need motorcycle parts, riding equipment, or a new bike, stop by Biggs Harley-Davidson® in San Marcos, California. We proudly serve the ears of Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside, and San Diego, California.
Smart Warm Weather Riding Apparel
A big part of riding in hot weather is figuring out how to keep your body from overheating. The clothing you wear will obviously make a big difference in this process. While highly ventilated clothing is obviously helpful for allowing your body to radiate energy away, you also should try to keep a basic layer of protection from road debris and even road rash, if you crash. Try to find a ventilated motorcycle jackets with spinal protection and elbow pads. Remember that leather doesn’t breathe particularly well in heat, and black leather will absorb more heat from the sun. And while shorts and sandals are tempting for their airy coolness, they won’t protect your if a rock gets kicked up by the car in front of you or if the air from your engine gets hot enough to singe your legs. In terms of helmets, half helmets provide the most ventilation but the least protection to the head, so make that trade off wisely.
Stay Hydrated
As any summer league baseball or soccer player knows, staying hydrated is a constant challenge on hot days. Although riding a motorcycle isn’t exactly as strenuous as 90 minutes on the soccer field, it can sap your fluids and energy in a surprisingly short amount of time. Try to get as hydrated as possible before you ever get on your bike as a base of hydration will give you a buffer against dehydration. Then, plan regular stops for drinking and cooling down. Never go more than an hour of riding without taking a stop to drink water. If possible, try to drink a little bit of a sports drink or some other source of electrolytes to replenish the minerals your body loses during riding. If you stop sweating, you know that you’re already far beyond dehydrated and it’s time to pull over. At this point, it’s important to sip water until you start to getting back to baseline. Avoid chugging water, as this can cause you to vomit which will further your level of dehydration. Consider investing in a hands-free hydration pack to give you access to water you can even access while wearing your helmet.
Intelligent Riding Practices
The first question you should always ask yourself on a hot day is if it’s necessary to ride on a hot day at all. Often a trip can be pushed back or restructured to make sure the worst of the hot weather riding doesn’t happen during peak hours of heat. If you absolutely can’t avoid riding on a hot day, stick to the early mornings and evenings. Motorcycles with adjustable windshields can be lowered to offer more ventilation during the hottest rides. As you ride, take as many pit stops as you need, drinking plenty of water throughout. When you stop, try to get your body temperature as low as possible. A wet bandana can be placed on the head or neck to help cool you down, and there’s no overestimating the value of some time spent in an air conditioned room.
As long as you give warm weather the same respect you give other forms of wet or inclement weather, you will likely stay safe. Avoid riding during the hottest parts of the day, drink plenty of water, and dress intelligently. If you want to check out bikes with the latest in technology for battling the heat, stop by Biggs Harley-Davidson®. Innovations such as ventilated windshields, mid-frame air deflectors, and the CoolFlow fan system will help to keep you cool. Located in San Marcos, California, we’re the proud home of Harley-Davidson® for the area of Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside, San Diego, Poway, Rancho Santa Fe, and San Luis Rey, California.