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Summer is a great time for motorcycle riders. Warm weather brings many opportunities for motorcyclists to go on relaxing rides, commute to work or experience a long-distance trip. One big thing that can throw a wrench in your riding plans during the summer is extreme heat. While most days are pleasant or at least tolerable, summer is known for temperatures that can exceed 100 degrees. If you aren’t prepared to ride in extremely hot weather, you may be putting your life at risk.
Here are a few tips to help you stay cool and safe on a hot weather summer motorcycle ride.
Wearing the right riding gear can make a world of difference in keeping you cool and your skin out of direct sunlight. With constant intense sunlight hitting your skin, you can get very serious sunburn. Using the right gear will not only protect your body from the sun, but it can also protect it in the event of a motorcycle accident. Several brands make cooling gear including riding jackets, riding pants and state-of-the-art helmets that circulate cool air while you ride. If you choose not to wear a helmet or other gear while you ride, make sure you wear sunscreen while you’re out on the road. With the advancement of cooling technology in motorcycle gear, you can be comfortable and safe, making for an excellent ride.
The hotter the weather the better the odds are that you will sweat a lot and lose large amounts of water from your body. Always staying hydrated is key to staying safe on the road. If you’re dehydrated, you can become exhausted, much less alert and less aware of your surroundings, making for an extremely dangerous ride. Since sweat can evaporate so quickly, you may not even notice that you’re sweating that much. Always bring more water with you than you think you’ll need and drink it often to stay hydrated. Frozen water bottles can also be used to keep you cool on your ride.
Dehydration can lead to exhaustion, but you also shouldn’t ride if you’re already tired or not rested. If you’re not feeling good before your ride, don’t go. The extreme heat will only lead to unfocused riding and make your exhaustion even worse, very quickly. Relying on energy drinks is also a bad idea. Energy drinks may help you in the short term, but they can dehydrate you quickly and you also may experience a sugar crash, feeling even worse than when you started your ride. While out on a long ride, make sure you take a some time to rest at stops on the way to your destination, especially if it’s hotter weather than you are used to riding in. Look for places to stop with air conditioning or shade to help you recover your energy faster. When you’re not tired, you’ll have a much safer ride.
Extremely hot summer weather can lead to hazards on the road as well. Roads and parking lots may start to melt in extreme heat, making newer roads softer and affecting your control over your motorcycle. If you suspect a road or parking lot may have been altered by the heat, ride with caution. Hot weather can also cause trouble for your kickstand while your bike is parked. The kickstand can sink into the pavement, leaving your bike being vulnerable to tipping over. Hupy and Abraham knows this can be a hazard to many motorcyclists and that’s why the firm gives away free kickstand coasters at the many motorcycle events we sponsor. A kickstand coaster will prevent your kickstand from sinking into the ground by providing it with more surface area, working in both hot and rainy weather. For your chance to grab a free kickstand coaster, join Hupy and Abraham at a motorcycle event! You can see the calendar of events here.
Following these tips will help you stay cool during your summertime motorcycle rides, leading to a safe and enjoyable time on the road.
Hupy and Abraham has worked to keep motorcycle safety at top of mind for decades by promoting rider awareness with the “Watch for Motorcycles” message. If you’re injured in an accident, Hupy and Abraham is here for you. The firm has collected over $1 billion for over 70,000 injured people.
If you’re injured while riding, call Hupy and Abraham right away at 800-800-5678 or chat with us at HUPY.COM.
