Important Tips For Riding Motorcycles In Hot Weather

Most motorcycle riders like to ride in warm and sunny summer. However, motorcycle riding in extreme heat is an annoyance. I believe any individual would agree with me when I say that. The lengthy hours under the irritable sunlight make tours and long rides much less enjoyable for any rider.

Understanding just how to remain hydrated as well as cooled down in extreme heat can keep you riding much longer, more secure, and happier. In this blog, I'll show you a couple of tips for riding motorcycles in hot weather.

Complete Guide For Riding Motorcycles In Hot Weather

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1. Choosing the Best Riding Gear for Hot Weather

If you can afford it, a different set of safety gear for the summertime is a must. Summer motorcycle safety gear is usually lighter weight than the winter safety gear, and it's occasionally a little bit more affordable, as well. If you're acquiring summer gear, make sure it comes with vents that can be opened as well as closed.

Textiles such as air mesh Kevlar are a much better choice than natural leather in heat, as they can be crafted to be extra breathable.

• If you don't mind layering up, after that, you can make use of summer gear in the fall and winter months by putting on a layer Helmet in intense, light color with vents wide open.
• Wear a light-colored fabric jacket designed for warm-weather riding; it has mesh, yet importantly, armor.
• Textile pants with vents.
• Cozy climate riding gloves bring more airflow.
• Lighter-weight non-waterproof boots, air-vent footwear (boots with laces ventilate!).
• Dampness-wicking socks.
• Wear a cooling vest that is very easy to wear and also created to go beneath your various other gear. underneath which means you could just need one set of safety equipment.

2. Avoid Riding During the Hottest Part of the Day

Avoid Riding During the Hottest Part of the Day

Because the hottest time of day is usually between midday and 5 p.m., preferable, strategy to ride throughout the cooler morning and early evening times. Wake up early, have a light breakfast as well as a mug of coffee and then hit the road. You can ride for a few hours before it becomes hot at 11:00 am. Then take a break for lunch, snooze in the shade (that's what Clem Salvadori likes to do), catch a matinee in a great, dark cinema, or do some sightseeing and tour.

Early evening trips can be a genuine reward, yet beware that dawn and also dusk times frequently see greater wild animal activity, such as deer crossing the road. Keep cool, yet additionally, remain risk-free.

Learn more motorcycle safety Tips For Motorcycle Riding At Night

3. Stay Hydrated

drink water to stay hydrated while riding in hot weather

Putting on the appropriate equipment is excellent, but you need to always keep on your own hydrated.

It's easy to be distracted while riding a motorbike during hot weather. And this dulls your responses and sidetracks you. In extreme heat, the body loses fluids at a higher-than-normal rate, which can cause dehydration.

When that occurs, your body creates much less sweat or even none at all. Besides, in combination with physical exertion, particular medical problems, and a high-temperature environment, heat stroke may happen.

Once you begin feeling parched, your body is currently dried out. You will certainly need 600 ml and 1.2 liters of water per hr if it's hot.

The most convenient way to consume water while riding is to wear a hydration backpack. It includes a water bladder and an alcohol consumption tube that can be made use of on the go, even with a full-face helmet.

4. Bring Some Sports Drink

Bring some sports drink while riding motorcycle in hot weather

When it’s hot out and you’re riding hard, drinking water might not be enough. You need minerals like sodium and potassium to maintain your body fluid balance and muscle function.

Using a sports drink or electrolyte mix helps replace what you lose. This can also reduce the risk of cramps, fatigue, or heat exhaustion.

Drink before you feel thirsty, and sip regularly throughout the ride—not just at rest stops.

What's more, since the sports drinks may contain sugar, don't drink more than one bottle. The accumulation of sugar will prevent the body from absorbing water normally.

5. Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine

No alcohol and caffeine while riding motorcycle

A crispy, ice-cold beer constantly seems like the most effective way to consume alcohol on a warm summer day. You're probably also eager to grab that energy drink or espresso mixture to fight fatigue. Unfortunately, these are the last beverages you ought to be taking in if you're attempting to beat the warm and stay hydrated.

Alcohol and sugar are diuretics, enabling our bodies to shed vital fluids faster. Whether high levels of caffeine add to dehydration is debatable. But the general agreement is that drinking simple water (add some sports drink to bring back electrolytes) is the best way to combat dehydration.

6. Slather On The Sunblock

A sunburn will not only fry your skin, but it also adds to your tiredness and intensifies your metabolic rate. When your metabolic rate accelerates, this means more water is needed. This can be a problem when you're having a hard time staying hydrated.

Put on sunblock on the exposed parts of your body, specifically your face and the back of your neck. These areas are unknowingly exposed to sunlight while you are riding during hot weather.

Use a quality sweat and waterproof sunscreen with an SPF of a minimum of 30. Seek sunscreen with long-term defense and make sure to follow the instructions on when to apply it. If sweating heavily while riding, you'll need to reapply typically.

Do whatever you can to avoid sunburn. And don't forget to wear a hat for those roadside stops when you remove your safety helmet.

7. Take Regular Relax Breaks

Take regular relax breaks during hot weather motorcycle riding

On hot days, you must stop more often. If you're not wearing a hydration knapsack, frequent quits permit you to consume some water and also have a snack. Take off your helmet, put some cool water on your head. Walk around and do some light stretches to get the blood flowing throughout your body. Take a seat in the shade for a couple of minutes.

If you're fortunate, you'll stumble upon a gasoline station with a beer cave, where they keep the thermostat readied to the mid-30s. These are fantastic locations to cool off for a couple of minutes. Many Filling stations may have large Ice Boxes near the entrance that are often left unlocked. A lot of individuals will certainly toss their helmets in the icebox up until it's time to leave.

8. Make Good Food Choices

Also, your food usage can influence your body and mind on those hot riding days. Make sure to begin your day with a light breakfast, which may include a multivitamin or a banana. Bananas have lots of potassium, a mineral that we sweat out in the heat, which our bodies require.
Having enough energy to combat fatigue in extreme heat is important. Do not miss lunch or various other meals to offset lost time.

Stop going to the otter stands and ice cream until the trip ends. Again, sugar is a diuretic that aids in dehydration.

9. Protect Your Eyes

Hot weather means bright sun, glaring reflections, and rising chances of eye strain or damage when you ride.

Always wear sunglasses or goggles that filter out UVA and UVB rays. Or, you can choose a motorcycle helmet with a tinted or sun-visored shield.

These will cut down glare, help prevent headaches, and improve visibility when you are riding in the sun. You know, it is critical for reacting to hazards on the road.

If your helmet lacks good ventilation around the eyes, there is a solution. Use a sweat-wicking bandana under the brow to stop sweat from dripping in your eye and blurring your vision.

Taking these steps keeps your eyes safe, comfortable, and sharp when riding under the hot sun.

10. Inspect the tire stress daily

Tire pressure is absolutely vital at any moment. It is always an excellent concept to check the tire pressure when the tires are cool. Never ride with overinflated or underinflated tires.

When sidewalk temperature levels remain in triple digits, under-inflated tires (which are prone to blow-out failures to start with) end up being a disaster that may happen at any time. If the bike is packed with luggage as well as a passenger, the tire's time to failure gets even faster.

11. Plan Your Route in Advance

When riding in hot weather, having a well-thought-out route can make a huge difference in your comfort and safety.

• Map out your ride to include frequent shade, rest stops, and water refill points—gas stations, convenience stores, parks.
• Try to avoid stretches of road with little to no services, especially in remote or desert areas.
• Plan to ride during cooler parts of the day, like early morning or late afternoon, and avoid midday when the sun is strongest.
• Check the forecast and road surface conditions ahead of time—heat can soften or damage pavement, making roads more slick or slippery.

A pre-planned route helps you stay cool, hydrated, and ready for emergencies.

12. Watch out for signs of heatstroke and heat exhaustion

When riding in hot weather, it's easy for your body to overheat. The early warning signs of heatstroke are nausea or vomiting, cramps, migraines, dizziness, exhaustion, flushed or pale skin, and heavy sweating.

If you experience any signs of heatstroke or heat exhaustion while riding, you must pull over and find a way to cool off immediately.

Here are what you can do:

• Take off your helmet so that you can breathe more conveniently.
• Take out your water or sports drink and drink(sip) some.
• Use a wet cloth or cool water(not cold water) spray to cool your body.
• Put a cool, wet towel around your head.
• Have a cool dip in a roadside lake, pond, or river nearby if possible.

In these ways, you should feel better and recover within 30 minutes. But if the status does not get better and you are still experiencing symptoms, then contact the emergency services.

Now, listen to me, stop trying to ride anymore. What you need to do now is get out of the sun and contact the emergency services. While waiting for them to arrive, you should still try to cool yourself. Keep drinking water, and use a wet cloth to cool your body.

How Hot is TOO Hot for Motorcycle Riding?

There’s no single magic temperature that works for everyone. But riding becomes significantly risky once the heat index climbs above about 90 °F (≈ 32 °C).

Heat past 95 °F (≈ 35 °C) is especially dangerous if you're wearing heavy gear, riding through traffic, or going long distances.

There are some signs to tell you that your ride might already be too hot to ride. These include dizziness, headache, fatigue, heavy sweating, nausea, or blurred thinking. When you notice those, pull over your motorcycle immediately. Find a shady place, drink water (or a sports drink) and cool off yourself.

How to stay cool riding a motorcycle in the summer?

When riding in summer heat, here are some ways to stay cool:

• Pick gear that lets your body breathe: light colors, ventilated jackets, mesh panels, moisture-wicking base layers.
• Drink small amounts of water often, and consider electrolyte or sports drinks if you sweat a lot.
• Take regular breaks—ideally every hour—to rest in shade, cool down, and refuel fluids.
• Ride during cooler parts of the day (morning or evening) and avoid peak sun hours.
• Use accessories: a wet bandana under the helmet, sunscreen wherever skin is exposed, and keep your visor shaded.

Motorcycle Intercoms To Contact The Emergency Services

List of Essential Gear for Hot Weather Motorcycle Riding Trip

1. Hydration backpack
2. Sports drink
3. Sunscreen
4. Sunglasses
5. UV-resistant arm covers
6. Neck gaiters and face masks
7. Breathable helmets
8. Mesh jackets
9. Cooling vests
10. Protective gloves
11. Ventilated pants
12. Helmet communication system

Have more tips for riding in hot weather? Comment below!

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Stephen

Motorcycle mechanic, writer. Interested in motorcycle gear for years. Like to stay up to date with the newest products and techniques of the motorcycle.