Staying Cool When Riding Motorcycles

No one accuses Florida of being a winter wonderland, and the heat is why many of us end up here. But for the motorcycle riders out there, dealing with heat is a crucial riding skill you'll need to learn. Where riding in the rain makes it hard for your bike to perform correctly, riding in the heat makes it hard for the rider to perform. There are a few tricks you can learn, though, that will help make hot weather riding much easier and safer. Read on if you don't want to get caught off by the heat on your next ride, and come into Destination Powersports when it's time to get parts or services for your bike. Located we're located near Fort Myers and Cape Coral in Punta Gorda, Florida, and we want to help you ride safe in all types of weather!

Fighting Humidity

Riding in hot weather is a challenge no matter where you find yourself, but it's especially difficult in the punishing Florida humidity. In dry desert air, you can use evaporative cooling to help keep your body cooler, but when the humidity is above 90%, you'll have a very difficult time even getting your sweat to evaporate. For this reason, you'll need to find gear that's adapted to the weather and learn to control your body temperature.

Smart Riding Gear

For most people, the first impulse when out in hot weather is to strip off clothing to give more airflow over the skin. When it's extremely hot and the humidity is hot, you won't actually be able to lower your body temperature just through air movement. Plus, the more bare skin that's exposed, the more heat you'll receive from the sun and the more likely you'll be to experience windburn. To fight this, you'll want to wear long sleeves, boots, and pants. That may not sound pleasant, but it will keep the skin and wind off your body which will reduce the amount of external heat it receives. If you can, find a riding jacket that's fully ventilated to help you purge some of that heat. You can use squirts from a cool water bottle around your neck to help you cool down. In general, full face motorcycle helmets are the best option in terms of safety but they can get stuffy. Try to find a hot weather helmet with adequate ventilation. Some models even feature ventilation systems with small fans that help to circulate air around your head.

Hydration

There's nothing more important than water when you want to prevent heat exhaustion. Water allows your body to function properly, meaning your natural body cooling systems can do their job. It also allows your organs, muscles, and brain to function properly so you will have full control at all times.

Complete hydration requires building a solid foundation of hydratn before you go for your ride by drinking lots of water throughout the day. Then, as you ride, you'll need to drink water almost constantly to replace the water you sweat out. On top of that, though, you'll need to consider your electrolyte levels if you want to stay healthy. In rare cases, a condition called hyponatremia can result when you drink water while sweating profusely and don't replace your natural bodily salts. So as you go along with your ride, make sure to mix in a sports drink every couple hours.

Choosing When & Where to Ride

Your equipment and hydration levels are certainly important when you find yourself riding in the heat, but it's worth asking if you need to ride in the heat in the first place. Commuters won't always get to choose when they ride, but weekend warriors and even touring riders will have much more choice in the matter. Instead of riding during the peak hours of heat, try riding in the early morning or at night. If one day is going to be 90 degrees and the next will be 78 degrees, try waiting a day before heading out. When planning routes, try riding through areas with higher elevations as valleys tend to hold more heat.

It's sometimes difficult to stay comfortable while riding in the heat, especially in Florida's humidity. But if you follow these steps, you might have a little better time. When you need more motorcycle equipment, parts, or services, stop by Destination Powersports. We're located near Fort Myers and Cape Coral, in Punta Gorda, Florida, and we're here to help solve your motorcycle riding needs!