Warm Weather Riding
Summer is here, and that means it’s time for some warm weather motorcycle riding! Feel the sun on your skin (or through your leather) as you eat up miles of pavement, but keep in mind that the heat must be beat! While it might not seem like it, summer heat can fatigue even the roughest rider if they’re not prepared for it. Heatstroke, dehydration, and exhaustion can be serious problems for riders, but fortunately they’re easy to avoid with a bit of thinking ahead!
Here at Texas Harley®, we know you’re eager to saddle up and hit the road, but we want to make sure you’re ready so you can enjoy your motorcycle experience to the fullest.
In that spirit, we’ve taken the time to put together this short guide with some tips and tricks to getting the most out of your warm weather riding experience. Read on for more information or head into our dealership in Bedford, Texas, near Irving and Arlington, as well as the Dallas and Fort Worth area.
Dress for the Weather
Normally we look to shed a layer or two to deal with rising temperatures, but that won’t cut it on a motorcycle. Long pants and sleeves are still necessary for general riding safety. There are still a few ways you can change your dress to better suit warm weather riding. Stick to cool colors that are better at reflecting light and more breathable fabrics like cotton or linen. Ventilated riding jackets are great at protecting riders from road hazards while also encouraging cooling air flow. UV light protection is also important when dealing with summer sun, so don’t forget some sunscreen on any exposed skin, like the back of your neck. Sunglasses are great as well, especially if your helmet doesn’t have UV protection itself.
To stay cool, you can also dip a T-shirt or bandana in cool water and wear these on the road to enjoy the breeze from the evaporation. Tying the wet bandana at the base of your neck can cool you down quickly as it will rest over your carotid artery.
Keep Hydrated
When the temperatures are high, dehydration can hit quickly. Riders experience fuzzy heads and focus loss when they fail to replace lost fluids, which can reduce a rider’s ability to avoid road hazards. Keep a bottle or two of water with you when you ride in warm weather. If you tend to go through a lot of bottled water, or you’re riding often enough to justify the purchase, you could look at a hands-free hydration system like a backpack or similar piece of apparel. That way you can keep cool without taking any breaks!
Along with lost water due to sweat, our bodies lose a lot of important chemicals too, like salt and electrolytes. As any sports fan knows, those lost chemicals can drastically hurt rider performance. Eat some snacks or a sports drink that provides vitamins and minerals in additional to replacing some of the salt.
Common Sense Riding
One of your best tools as a rider is to use your common sense. Don’t rely on habit to be your guide; observe the world around you and make a solid choice. This could mean not riding during the hottest parts of the day, or knowing to stop frequently to allow time for both you and your bike to cool off a bit. A hot bike means a hot rider, so giving your Harley a well-deserved rest can help you both out. Use your breaks to check out the scenery around you, rest in the shade and drink water. If your bike’s windscreen is adjustable, you can put it down to get more ventilation.
There’s nothing quite like a summer ride to take advantage of the warm weather, but it’s important to know what kind of preparations you’ll need to make to keep ahead of dehydration and fatigue. With a few of these tips, we’re sure you’ll be well on your way to some summer fun! If you’re after more motorcycling tips, or you’re just eager to take a look at some awesome bikes, head into Texas Harley in Bedford, Texas, near Irving and Arlington. We’re also proud to serve the entire Dallas and Fort Worth area. Come in today and our staff of courteous and experienced professionals will show you the true meaning of customer satisfaction.