Riding when its too hot
Moderator "Queens Of The Road" Forum
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,862
Likes: 0
From: Arizona
RE: Riding when its too hot
ORIGINAL: joe.1955
I ride to work daily at about 1:00 pm, but it's only about a 20 minute ride. The ride home at 1:00 am is nice but still pretty warm.
 \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;
I've found one of the keys is staying off the freeways. When you are doing 70 mph in this heat it is like a blast furnace. All of the other vehicles and the multi lane highways add to the heat.
 \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;
As others have mentioned, staying hydrated is critical. Drink a lot of water before and during the ride.
 \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;
Drinking alcohol before a hot ride will make you miserable - too dehydrated to sweat, which cools your body down. Don't ask me how I know[&:].
 \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;
A group of us from the forum still ride together every two weeks, but leave early in the morning and head for the high country. See the Southwest Forum, Arizona rides.
I ride to work daily at about 1:00 pm, but it's only about a 20 minute ride. The ride home at 1:00 am is nice but still pretty warm.
 \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;
I've found one of the keys is staying off the freeways. When you are doing 70 mph in this heat it is like a blast furnace. All of the other vehicles and the multi lane highways add to the heat.
 \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;
As others have mentioned, staying hydrated is critical. Drink a lot of water before and during the ride.
 \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;
Drinking alcohol before a hot ride will make you miserable - too dehydrated to sweat, which cools your body down. Don't ask me how I know[&:].
 \\;\\\\\\;\\\\\\\\\\\\\\;
A group of us from the forum still ride together every two weeks, but leave early in the morning and head for the high country. See the Southwest Forum, Arizona rides.
I TRIED to get him to drink water!!!
 \\;
I agree, though, I find a long sleeve t-shirt makes a difference. \\; And I always wear my helmet! \\;
 \\;
On a lot of our longer rides, I take a chase vehicle, and I carry a cooler full of waters for everyone to stay hydrated. \\; Keeping everyone healthy keeps the day more fun!
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 264
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
RE: Riding when its too hot
I live in Las Vegas, though I try not to ride too much when its 105+, I do have a cooling vest ( cyclegear.com ) $35.00,
Wear that under a mesh jacket, and wear a cool tie.
 \\;Not too bad for a couple hours.
+1 for covering the skin. ( mesh jacket )
+1 for drinking LOTS of water eg. Camelback.
Wear that under a mesh jacket, and wear a cool tie.
 \\;Not too bad for a couple hours.
+1 for covering the skin. ( mesh jacket )
+1 for drinking LOTS of water eg. Camelback.
Novice
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Riding when its too hot
Seems 99% of lids and do-rags are always black, which absorbs heat. You might as well have an easy-bake oven on your head, cooking your dome like a tasty tasty muffin.
 \\;
I wear a light silver helmet, and it's always a lot cooler to the touch than my buddys black lid.
I do have a couple black helmets, but \\;rarely wear 'em.
 \\;
 \\;
I wear a light silver helmet, and it's always a lot cooler to the touch than my buddys black lid.
I do have a couple black helmets, but \\;rarely wear 'em.
 \\;
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 177
Likes: 1
From: Chapel Hill, NC
RE: Riding when its too hot
Covering up is important. As temperatures go higher than your 98.6 F (37C) body temperature, the cooling effect of the wind becomes the warming effect of a blow dryer or blast furnace. I've been temtatively planning on doing a day or two of riding when I am out in Las Vegas for business in August. On the other hand, I have been to Las Vegas and AZ in August, and it is the most mind-meltingly hot place imagineable. I'd be renting a bike, and I'll damn sure be renting on with a windshield. That might seem illogical, but anyone who thinks it is should grab a blow dryer, turn it on and then aim it at their face for about 10 minutes.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 884
Likes: 26
From: Mesa, AZ
RE: Riding when its too hot
I ride just about everyday to work...roughly 50 miles round trip...the one thing I did was I bought myself a 3/4 helmet...the 1/2 helmet is nice but 3/4 with a tinted face shield...sure helps with the hot wind in the face...just keep up with water and every now and then some kind of sports drink...heat exhaustion will creep up and knock you out...light colors...long sleeve shirts...do not wait until you feel thirsty.....most important...sun screen for those long days in the sun...
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 3,364
Likes: 110
From: Mesa, Az.
RE: Riding when its too hot
It's the price we pay for having a year round riding environment. Gets hot in the summer and can be cold in the winter, but none of my bikes have ever seen a battery tender.
Road Captain
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 646
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Riding when its too hot
2 salt tablets in a glass of water. A doo rag on your head that has been dipped in water. Don't take salt tabs in your saddlebag, they will turn to powder from vibration.
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026
Verdad Gallardo
Road Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,074
Likes: 6
RE: Riding when its too hot
I had an experience like that and it was scary as hell! I had one other a couple of years later where I felt the first signs and pulled over right away and grabbed a drink.
Now, I wear a pack with water (mine happne to be camelbaks, but there are other brands). I don't even have to stop riding to take a sip or two and I can stay hydrated throughout the entire ride. I have a 50oz that attaches to my jacket (for the sportbikes), a 50 oz with straps (for the harley, where istting upright makes the other one pull my jacket back) and a 100oz one for long trips.
I can't tell you how great it is to just sip and ride!
Now, I wear a pack with water (mine happne to be camelbaks, but there are other brands). I don't even have to stop riding to take a sip or two and I can stay hydrated throughout the entire ride. I have a 50oz that attaches to my jacket (for the sportbikes), a 50 oz with straps (for the harley, where istting upright makes the other one pull my jacket back) and a 100oz one for long trips.
I can't tell you how great it is to just sip and ride!
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 426
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Riding when its too hot
You may have some underlying health condition. If you are well hydrated when you begin the ride, and stop for water, before you are thirsty, your sweat and wind speed should cool you.