Warm Weather Riding

When the temperatures are high and the sun is out, motorcyclists everywhere grab their helmets and climb on their bikes to hit the highway for a pleasant afternoon of cruising. But wait, if you’re trying to stay cool by wearing a T-shirt, you might want to check yourself first because you aren’t being safe when it comes to warm weather riding conditions. You’re more prone to suffer heat stroke and exhaustion when it’s hot out, so it’s important to know the rules when it comes to riding in the heat. Read this guide by your local Arkansas motorcycle dealer, Toad Suck Harley-Davidson® of Conway, if you’re curious about the best practices when it comes to warm weather riding.

Dress For The Heat

You may think that a tank top and shorts is the ideal attire for heat. This might be true while walking around, but you still need to keep your body protected when you’re on a bike. So don’t forgo the jacket and pants. Instead, look for ventilated riding gear and clothing made of breathable natural fibers. You can actually keep yourself cooler by covering your skin in hot temperatures, because you’ll be able to insulate yourself against the heat outside. Wear your usual gloves and boots, too, to protect your hands and feet in the event of an accident. Always wear your helmet, too.

In order to stay cool, you can dampen a T-shirt or other piece of fabric and tie it around your neck so that the evaporating water can cool down your carotid artery which carries a high volume of your blood. 

UV ray protection is also extremely important on a long ride. Your clothing and helmet will protect most of your body from the sun, but any exposed skin should be sunscreened. You can either wear sunglasses under your helmet or you can get a tinted visor for sun protection for your eyes.

Stay Hydrated

Dehydration sets in faster than you might think when you’re riding in hot temperatures and sweating a lot. Your body will lose water as it tries to cool itself down, so staying hydrated is of the utmost importance on the road. You can either invest in a backpack-style hydration system to sip from as you ride, or keep bottles of water to drink from every time you stop for a rest. Know the signs of heat exhaustion, including nausea, dizziness, irritability and weakness. Learn to stop before you hit the point where your body is breaking down. You also lose valuable electrolytes through your sweat, so make sure you’re supplementing your water intake with snacks containing salt and potassium or a sports drink.

Use Common Sense

Avoid riding during the hottest parts of the day, generally mid to late afternoons. This is when the sun will be near its zenith and temperatures will be at their peak. Plan your riding during the early morning hours or early evening, when temperatures will be low and the sun will be closer to the horizon. Don’t overtax yourself -- riding for hours at a time without rest will fatigue you unduly and cause you to lose focus, increasing your chances of an accident. Take frequent breaks in the shade or indoors to allow yourself to cool down and give your bike a break.

Want to get a good quality used bike at a great price? Visit Toad Suck Harley-Davidson in Conway, Arkansas, to see our selection of used Harley motorcycles. We additionally serve the cities of Searcy, Hot Springs, Fort Smith and Russellville, Arkansas. Our showroom offers a vast array of used motorcycles for sale in Arkansas.