Stay Cool While Your Ride
Most people get excited when the warm weather comes around, especially that brief window in spring when the weather is warm, but not quite blistering hot. But what would a California summer be without a heat wave? If you’re a true motorcycle lover, feeling like the sun is perched on your shoulder probably won’t stop you from wanting to ride. And yet, if you don’t take some precautions, you might end up in trouble. Dehydration can lead to double vision and heat stroke. Don’t let it happen to you! Here at Indian of Orange County, we’ve felt the heat before. That’s why we’ve created this short explainer on how to beat the heat when you ride. If you have further questions, or you need accessories, parts, or services for your bike, drop by our dealership in Orange County, California.
Dress Smart
When you’re just walking around on the street, you’ll probably be inclined to wear less clothing in order to stay cooler. Motorcycle gear, on the other hand, can often be rough and heavy because it needs to hold up in case of an slide or crash. No one will accuse a leather jacket of being breazy. So when you’re riding in warm weather, you have to put a little extra thought into what you wear. Wearing less clothing isn’t necessarily the solution.
Wearing pants and sleeves can actually help to keep the brutal rays off your skin. If you get a shirt that’s loose enough, it will still allow for airflow from the ride, but it will keep your arms shaded. You can also look for a ventilated riding jacket. This type of jacket will provide maximum breathability while also offering the padding you want. If you do a lot of riding in the warm weather, consider buying riding clothes that are lighter in color, as these will reflect light away as opposed to absorbing it like dark clothing would. You might also consider investing in a bandana or some other absorbent gear to wear under your helmet to help keep sweat from dripping into your eyes.
Drink Water
Water is the single most important part about riding in hot weather. Water moves through you quickly under normal circumstances on a hot day. But when you’re doing a physical activity like riding, and also wearing thick clothing, you’re basically setting yourself up for failure if you don’t drink as much water as possible. Keep several bottles of water with you in your saddlebag or a backpack. You can also use a hydration system if you enjoy longer rides, that way you have quick access to hands free drinking. Remember that as you sweat, you’ll also be losing necessary electrolytes. This doesn’t mean you need to just drink sugary, high calorie sports drinks. But it does mean you should make sure you’re ingesting some salt.
You can also use water to cool you from the surface. A t-shirt dipped in water will feel nice and cool as you fly down the road. You can also dip your bandana in water and tie it low around your neck. This will help it access your carotid artery, which is the quickest way to cool yourself down.
Ride Smart
The final way to beat the heat is to ride smart. Avoid riding during the hottest parts of the day, and instead try to ride only when it’s cool out. Break up your ride with numerous pit stops where you can cool off. Every hour or so, stop and rest under a shady, or if possible, pull over and grab some ice cream! Not only will this cool you down, it will keep your bike from getting too hot. Hot air will flow off your engine, and if your bike gets extremely warm, it will feel like you’re riding straight into a hair dryer. Finally, if your bike has an adjustable windscreen, drop it down when you get too hot to give you a little blast of extra ventilation.
Don’t tempt fate when it comes to warm weather riding. Make sure to always ride smart, dress smart, and drink lots of water. Plan your trip and stay ahead of the weather and you’ll stay safe and healthy. If you need any further service, stop by Indian of Orange County. Located near Santa Ana, Long Beach, and Los Angeles, we know everything you need about hot weather riding. Stop by today to chat with our experienced team!