How to Drive a Motorcycle Under Extreme Heat
Motorcycling conveys a sense of freedom, joy, and easy transportation, but in extremely hot conditions, it can also pose some painful challenges.
Hot weather not only takes a toll on the body but can also affect how your bike behaves, compromising safety if you head out unprepared. Here is how to work your way through the scorching heat on a motorcycle without sweating buckets but remain cool, calm, and comfortable on a hot day.
Stay Hydrated
Dehydration is one of the biggest issues in hot weather, and it can disrupt focus, lessen stamina, and even cause heatstroke. If you will be riding in extreme heat, be sure to hydrate long before, during, and after your ride. It also makes it easier to drink while riding because you can keep a hydration pack on you, which is a backpack with an attached hose that lets you sip water hands-free. If needed, drink electrolyte drinks to replenish salt lost through sweat too!
Wear Appropriate Gear
As much as it sounds great to wear no gear in hot weather, you need to protect yourself with proper clothing. Seek out lightweight apparel that is moisture-wicking and ventilated (not insulated) — riding gear specifically designed for summer instead of heavy, insulated clothes. Opt for mesh-paneled or perforated gear that breathes and keeps you cooler.
Try a cooling vest that utilizes evaporative cooling to keep your body temperature regulated. These vests can be soaked with water before the ride and cool you off as the water evaporates.
Here is the lowdown on essential bits of kit for riding in hotter climates:
A good quality full-face helmet with proper ventilation protects you from injury and sun exposure — an open-face helmet is too bare to be in the sun without the risk of getting burned.
Jacket and Pants
Choose mesh or textile jackets and pants that have armor built in for protection, which will breathe but still cover you.
Footwear
Wear ventilated, sturdy boots to protect your feet.
Time Your Rides Wisely
To beat the hottest part of the day, plan your rides for early morning or late afternoon. Do not ride during the hottest part of the day, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the temperatures are at their peak.
Not only will you be more comfortable, but your bike will also enjoy running in less extreme heat. If your trip is longer and you have to go during busy hours, stop regularly in shady or air-conditioned spots to cool down.
Plan for Rest Stops
Even with the best gear and water, it can be exhausting to spend several hours in the sun. Take breaks every 45 minutes to an hour, especially if riding in extreme heat.
Use these breaks to drink some water, take off your helmet, and chill out in the shade to cool down. Regular breaks also help prevent drowsiness, keeping you focused and responsive on the road.
Protect Your Skin
Moisture-wicking full gear does a good job of minimizing sweat, but even when fully geared up, your skin is exposed to UV rays coming in through your visor, and other parts of your body are not completely protected.
Apply sunscreen on your face, neck, and any other exposed skin before you go out to ride. Use sunscreen with a high SPF, and if you sweat easily, ensure it stays on. Reapply sunscreen at rest breaks to maintain protection.
Optimize Motorcycle Cooling
The rider isn’t the only one affected by extreme heat; so is the motorcycle. An air-cooled engine struggles in high temperatures because it relies on air rushing past it to cool down. Keep your motorcycle cooling system in top shape.
For liquid-cooled engines, ensure the coolant level is adequate: too little coolant can cause overheating. Also, avoid staying in traffic for long periods, as no air passing over the engine could lead to overheating. If your motorcycle has an engine temperature gauge, monitor it and pull over if the needle begins to rise too far.
Adjust Tire Pressure
Extreme heat can raise tire pressure — affecting handling and making them unsafe. If your upcoming road trip involves hot conditions, check your tire pressure and adjust accordingly.
Both over-inflated and under-inflated tires can reduce traction and stability; the latter can also cause more heat. Keeping everything at the right pressure will help maintain the handling and traction needed to ride safely in hot weather.
Ride Smoothly and Maintain Control
In hot weather, slick roads can form over-melting tar or oil, especially on asphalt surfaces. Smooth riding helps prevent sliding, particularly when cornering or braking.
Avoid sudden movements and watch for glistening spots on the pavement, which are often melted tar or oil and can be extra slick. In extreme heat, riding at a steady, relaxed pace is not only safer but also more energy-efficient.
Use Ventilated Accessories
Use ventilated gear, seat covers, or seat pads designed to stay cool and comfortable. Some riders opt for a gel seat cover, which helps limit heat transferred to the seat surface.
The same goes for handgrips; a heat-resistant material for sweaty palms also helps prevent loss of grip on the controls. These tweaks may not seem like much, but they can greatly improve overall comfort on hot rides.
Know the Signs of Heat-Related Illness
Be aware that extreme conditions can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, both of which progress quickly. Heavy sweating, dizziness, nausea, or headaches are common signs of heat exhaustion. If you notice any of these symptoms, pull over, cool down, drink water, and rest in a shaded area before continuing.
In more serious cases, you might experience heatstroke, with symptoms like confusion, a pounding pulse, or fainting. If you reach that point, seek medical help right away, as heatstroke can be life-threatening.
Warm Weather Riding Gear
Motorcycle riding in hot weather is both thrilling and daunting! That thrill of riding down the open road is all the more exhilarating in warm weather, but if you’re not prepared with proper equipment, it’s going to get really hot outside.
In the best of all worlds, warm weather riding gear is a compromise between cooling and protection. In this post, we will look at some gear that aims to keep you comfortable and safe while riding in the heat.
Ventilated Helmets
Of all the gear a motorcyclist wears, the most essential is also the hottest and least comfortable in high temperatures: the helmet. Choosing a helmet for hot weather means ventilation.
They are equipped with intake and exhaust vents that take advantage of having air flowing over your head to promote cooling of the rider. Great choices include full-face helmets with good airflow systems and open-face helmets made for airflow.
A liner that wicks away moisture is in helmets. This pulls sweat away from your skin, allowing you to stay dry and deterring the wet inside of the helmet. If you want extra wind chill, modular helmets that let you raise the face shield offer some flexibility there as well.
Lightweight, Breathable Jackets
Another piece of the protective experience is typically a motorcycle jacket, but when it comes to hot weather, a heavy jacket can be unbearable.
Discover jackets crafted from mesh or textile fabric that ensure the smooth passage of air to keep you cooler while on the road. The bulk of these jackets has been kept to a minimum, as they have armored sections on the elbows, shoulders, and back.
Choose a jacket with zippers to vents you can open for more airflow. Most summer riding jackets are also made out of synthetic materials designed to dry quickly if you start sweating or get rained on unexpectedly.
Also, an area where you cannot go wrong is reflective patches or bright colors, as they ensure your visibility to other drivers, which definitely is a safety element that matters all year long.
Mesh and Ventilated Pants
Jeans or some kind of casual pants are easy to pull on in hotter weather but often are not very protective or breathable. Pass on the denim and pick up some summer riding-specific mesh or textile motorcycle pants.
These trousers also provide a practically lightweight experience and are resistant; they have durability in pressured zones such as the knees or shadow parts.
Some summer riding pants are designed with removable liners that work well for changes in the weather.
Opt for pants that also offer ventilation panels (preferably zippable, but mesh works well too) to encourage airflow. These pants can be made with moisture-wicking and quick-drying properties, much like jackets, and will go a long way in making your rides comfortable, especially when it’s hot.
Gloves for Hot Weather
Riding without gloves will protect your hands, but as the old saying goes, “no glove, no love” because how are you supposed to keep a firm grip if you have thick and hot sweaty mittens?
Check out cool gloves that are perforated leather or mesh, and protect your hands, of course. These gloves should fit your whole hand and wrist so you do not get sunburn; special gloves include full protection.
Fingerless gloves could seem nice in the heat; nonetheless, they are a trade-off for safety. You should go for full-finger gloves as they are safer (ideally with knuckle armor and reinforced palms). Some modern summer gloves will even have the technology for you to use touchscreens without needing to remove your gloves, making it easier to operate your cell phone or GPS.
Moisture-Wicking Base Layers
The average rider, though, makes the mistake of putting on a heavy shirt or standard cotton under their gear. Instead, wear a base layer that hugs your skin and is made of moisture-wicking material. These layers wick away sweat, thus keeping your body dry and cool in scorching heat.
Warm-weather base layers are typically made from quick-drying polyester or spandex blends to help minimize chafing. Compression shirts and compression pants can also assist with increased blood circulation, which is particularly important during long rides.
While a normal base layer should be perfect for riding in the blistering heat, there are some base layers that offer cooling properties designed to keep your skin cool when things get hot.
Riding Boots with Ventilation
While stable and tough shoes are a must for riders, heavy boots can make your feet sweat and overheat in warm weather. So, go for a pair that features breathable materials and possesses built-in ventilation as well.
Perforated leather or textile boots increase airflow while maintaining durability.
Hot-weather motorcycle boots often come with moisture-wicking properties to keep your feet dry.
Get some with shin protection (if you want to enter a martial art), along with some that have more support around the ankle and heel. You want to steer clear of normal shoes or sneakers, as average footwear will not give you the same amount of support and protection that riding boots do.
Based on your needs, vests, and bandanas can be ideal accessories for you that can aid in cooling to help you feel comfortable when the temperature rises outside. They utilize evaporative cooling to maintain body temperature.
You can soak a cooling vest, wring it out, and put it underneath your jacket. As air flows over it, the residual moisture in the vest continuously releases coolness.
Cooling bandanas are similar and can be tied around the neck.
That is one of the most effective zones for cooling – the neck because your body’s temperature is regulated there. These are great add-ons for rides on especially hot days when you may be traveling long distances or sitting in the sun.
Hydration Packs
Dehydration can make you feel tired and lessen your concentration, the two things you want to avoid when riding in warmer conditions. For this reason, hydration packs are perfect because you can sip water without needing to stop.
Hydration packs are worn like a backpack and come with a straw that can be placed near your mouth for easy drinking while on the ride.
Opt for a hydration pack that features an insulated reservoir to help keep your water cool longer.
Most packs even offer stashing capabilities for small miscellaneous items within the pack, making them a feasible option for longer trips. Make sure to refill your hydration pack each time you take a break so you have water on hand for the entire ride.
Sun Protection
Though gear can protect most of your body, you may need to use sunscreen on exposed skin like the back of your neck, wrists, and lower arms. Pick a water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher; reapply on long rides.
When it comes to riding gear, some jackets and helmets already have UV protection installed, which will help reduce sun exposure. Another option is wearing polarized glasses or using a tinted visor on your helmet to shield your eyes from UV rays while promoting improved visibility and lowering eye fatigue.
Final Tips for Warm Weather Riding
Well-planned warm-weather riding can be a pleasure. Avoid extreme temperatures and plan your ride early in the morning or later in the afternoon. Especially if you start getting overheated, take breaks frequently and stay undercover.
Lastly, always keep in mind that comfort can never outweigh safety. Good gear at this time of year can help with the heat, but that protection better be there too. Purchase the correct warm-weather riding gear, and you will be ready to bask in that lovely open air even when the mercury soars.
What to Wear When Riding a Motorcycle in Hot Weather
It can be exhilarating riding a motorcycle in hot weather, but the heat also comes with its own difficulties. With some basic gear, the essential good gear is not only a matter of comfort but also protection.
Although it may be tempting to wear lighter clothing, not putting on the correct outfits to protect your body from potential risks of injury, sunburn, and dehydration will leave you with persistent injuries. In this article, we are going to go over must-wear items to remain comfortable, cool, and safe while riding a motorcycle in hot weather.
Lightweight, Breathable Helmet
The number one piece of gear, other than a motorcycle, needed by every rider is a helmet. When the heat is on, a ventilated helmet is an absolutely essential choice. Summer helmets will usually include additional venting to promote airflow, so look for one of those.
A trusty full-face helmet design with ventilation will shield you from the sun and ventilate your head when it’s time to blow some hot air.
Choose a helmet that is lighter in color than dark colors, which absorb more heat. First off, helmets feature moisture-wicking liners that can help move sweat away from your face—a welcomed little perk on long, hot rides.
Moisture-Wicking Base Layers
Wearing moisture-wicking base layers under your gear can help keep you comfortable. These types of layers take sweat away from your skin and dry quickly. They help control the temperature on your body, which will keep you cool and dry on the hottest days of summer.
Opt for compression base layers as they are less likely to cause chafing and offer support to your muscles. Avoid cotton, which is water absorbent and keeps you damp as well as itchy. Seek moisture-wicking and quick-drying materials like polyester and merino wool.
Mesh or Vented Jacket
With the combination of safety and airflow, a mesh or vented jacket becomes vital when riding in hot weather. Mesh jackets, unlike the earlier mentioned leather jackets, come with small holes so they can breathe and keep you cool while providing the same level of protection.
Other mesh jackets are equipped with removable liners, which are handy when you ride in the morning while it’s cold but heat up during the day.
Some of the better-vented jackets are made from Cordura or Kevlar, which are still very abrasion-resistant yet allow plenty of airflow. Get one with armor already in it or place inserts into them so you still stay protected but are cool.
Protective Summer Gloves
It sounds silly to wear gloves in the heat, but they are needed for safety. Moreover, this kind of glove is usually created with lighter materials that still offer protection but ventilation in the summer. Seek gloves with holes through the leather or mesh panels to help airflow.
Just because it is summer, do not go as far as to buy a pair of gloves that provide no grip or protection; at the very least, you want some coverage over the palms and knuckles. Some even have touchscreen-friendly fingers, which is a nice touch since it means you can use your phone or GPS without taking off your gloves every time you pull over.
Ventilated Pants or Riding Jeans
In the heat, it seems reasonable to wear jeans or shorts, but regular clothing cannot deliver protection on a motorcycle. Wear ventilated motorcycle pants or riding jeans made for the heat instead. These frequently include thoughtfully placed mesh panels or vents to circulate air through, keeping your legs nice and cool.
Some brands have lightweight riding jeans that already feature built-in Kevlar in high-impact areas like the knees and hips to help protect you. Most will also feature removable armor, with an abundance of ventilated pants that allow you to dial in your protection level when necessary.
Moisture-Wicking Socks
On hot weather rides, your feet may quickly suffer from overheating and discomfort. That said, a good pair of moisture-wicking socks from the get-go will do wonders. Go for socks made of breathable fabrics like merino wool or synthetic blends, which will help wick moisture and keep your feet cool.
Steer clear of cotton socks, as they retain moisture and increase the likelihood of blisters. While we are on the subject, some motorcycle-specific socks also offer extra cushioning placed in areas of greater impact, such as the heel and ball of your foot.
Riding Boots with Ventilation
For most riders, the better a pair of motorcycle boots is at protecting your feet, the hotter they can be. For proper airflow and to help keep your feet cool, you need to find boots that have either mesh panels or vents. Summer riding boots or lightweight boots often use materials that allow them to breathe.
In addition, choose boots with liners that wick away moisture to avoid sweaty feet. Perforated leather or other synthetic fabrics are sturdy yet breathable materials that can provide the right mix of protection and comfort. Make sure the boots also go over your ankle, as they will give support and protection in an accident.
Sunglasses or Helmet Visor with UV Protection
Riding in hot weather has its own dangers, and sunburn is not just for the skin, as we have to think about protecting our eyes too. If your helmet lacks a visor, pack sunglasses that protect against UV rays. On the other hand, you might even want to shell out for a tinted helmet visor that can provide a little UV protection if you’d rather do everything with your helmet visor down.
They provide protection from bright sunshine and glare on the road, which allows you to concentrate more. Some have a sun visor hidden with the option of flipping down as required, which can be nice to have on sunny days to keep those rays out of your eyes.
Hydration Pack
It isn’t exactly apparel, but a hydration pack is a must on motorcycle rides where the weather’s hot. Get ready with a hydration pack. Dehydration can creep in swiftly under high temperatures, and you want to avoid too many breaks; that requires a hydration pack. There are plenty of hydration packs that can sit comfortably under your motorcycle jacket or over the top of your shoulders so you can take a sip whenever you need it.
Water is also important on long rides, especially if you are in extreme heat conditions because it helps your body regulate temperature. Always take water with you! Insulated reservoirs are included in some hydration packs, which keep your water cool for longer.
Conclusion
Motorcycle riding in hot weather requires planning and gearing up. Dressing in cool, airy garments and using gear explicitly intended for summer can be a significant enhancement to your overall experience.
We are talking about ventilated jackets and pants, moisture-wicking socks, and gloves—each piece of gear working collaboratively to keep you cool but also protected. Stay hydrated and prioritize comfort and safety to have a smooth ride through the heat.
