Stay Cool On Your Motorcycle In The Summer
Riding a motorcycle in the summer can be an exhilarating and freeing experience. However, with summer temperatures climbing towards the triple digits in many parts of the country, it’s important that riders remain aware of the dangers of excessive heat exposure. You should do everything you can to keep yourself safe and hydrated while you ride. The good people of Ol' Red's Motorcycles here in Simpsonville, South Carolina, have provided this list of tips for staying cool on your motorcycle in the summer to keep you healthy and happy while you ride.
What To Wear
While it might seem counterintuitive to wear your usual motorcycle outfit of a jacket and long pants with boots and gloves when temperatures are soaring, the science suggests otherwise. Protecting your skin from the hot air and wearing clothing that is well-ventilated will actually help you to stay cooler than a tank top and shorts would. Also, it’s vitally important that you protect yourself as much as you can from road rash if you skid out, so don’t eschew the jacket just because it’s hot outside.
You can get ventilated or mesh gear that will help increase convection, which is the transfer of heat between your body and the surrounding air. Gear that prevents wind from hitting you will help immensely, since at temperatures over about 93°F, wind heats you up instead of cooling you down. Make sure you’re also still wearing gloves and riding boots for grip and traction as well as protection from the hot pavement.
You will also want to apply sunscreen to the back of your neck and anywhere your skin is exposed, and wear sunglasses or a tinted visor to keep UV rays out of your eyes and prevent sun glare from blinding you.
Keep Yourself Hydrated
You should be drinking plenty of water while you’re on the road because you’ll lose it in your sweat by the liter. Adding a sports drink or a snack will help to replenish vital electrolytes, too. If you want to drink water while you ride, a portable hydration backpack can help with this: fill it with ice and water before you start out and refill it every time you stop for gas. Carrying extra water in a jug in your storage compartment is good; make sure you never run out of water, particularly on a long stretch of road between rest stops.
Don’t drink alcohol or caffeine before or during your ride -- not only is drinking and driving a terrible idea, but both of these substances are diuretics, meaning they increase urine output and drain your body of valuable water. Sugary drinks won’t help you much, either. Water is the best drink you can have while you’re on the road.
Troubling Signs To Watch Out For
If you start to lose focus and feel like you’re falling asleep, that’s a sign of heat exhaustion. You need to give yourself adequate breaks in the shade or in a cool building to allow your body and mind to recover from excessive heat exposure. If you’ve stopped urinating or your urine is very dark in color, this signals dehydration. Stop and rest well before you reach your limit; it’s better to take many breaks in the shade and to ride less in a day than it is to push yourself past your breaking point and do serious damage to your health.
Once you start to feel the effects of heat exhaustion, you’re already in trouble, and it will quickly progress to heat stroke if you aren’t careful. Heat exhaustion is a form of mild shock, which presents with fatigue, nausea, flushed or pale skin, dizziness and heavy sweating. When it’s allowed to progress to heat stroke, the sufferer will cease to sweat as its cooling systems shut down and your body temperature will spike over 100°F, which can cause brain damage if left unchecked. You’ll probably pass out from heat stroke, too, which is extremely dangerous while operating a motorcycle. Know your limits, recognize the signs of fatigue from heat and stop riding as soon as you feel even a little tired.
In the market for a motorcycle for some long distance summer riding? Come down to our Simpsonville dealership to view our inventory of used motorcycles for sale. Ol’ Red’s Motorcycles serves the cities of Greenville, Columbia and Spartanburg, South Carolina.