Riding Your Motorcycle in Hot Weather

While the summer provides lots of nice, clear roads and cloudless skies that are perfect for riding your motorcycle, there’s another issue you have to contend with: heat. Texas is known for its hot and heavy summers which can take a massive toll on anyone spending significant amounts of time outside. However, that doesn’t mean you have to avoid riding your motorcycle entirely. Here are some strategies that will help you to ride safely and comfortably in hot temperatures.

Know the Risks

There are a number of ways you can suffer ill effects if you’re riding in hot weather. Texas temperatures get really hot and our roads tend to lack shade, so you’re going to find yourself out in the sun a lot when you’re riding around the state, particularly in desert areas. You should familiarize yourself with the signs of dehydration, which can include dizziness, a feeling of fatigue, confusion and headaches. Heat exhaustion and its deadlier cousin heat stroke can progress quickly if you’re not keeping tabs on your symptoms and getting yourself into a cool building as soon as possible.

Dress the Part

Instead of your usual black leather riding gear, it can be better to switch to a light-colored material that’s not so heavy and ideally ventilated to help you stay cool. You don’t want to ditch your safety gear altogether: your helmet, boots, gloves, pants and jacket keep you protected in the event you skid out, but look for cooler versions of these items with more ventilation and avoid wearing black in the sun.

Stay Hydrated

Losing water through sweat and failing to replenish it is how most people end up suffering the effects of dehydration, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Avoid this same fate by ensuring that you have water to drink and that you’re stopping so that you can drink it.

Avoid Mid-Afternoon Rides

The hottest part of the day will always be during the mid-afternoon, around 3 PM. Try to schedule your hot-weather riding for early mornings or evenings to avoid the heat. The nice thing about the summer is that the sun is out for much longer than in winter, so you have a wider space of time during which you can ride in daylight safely without having to experience peak temperatures.

Take Rest Breaks

Finally, it’s important to avoid pushing yourself too hard without stopping. You’ll likely need to schedule in more rest breaks during the summer months. You don’t have to stop for very long: a 15-minute break should be sufficient to let you cool down and have a snack before you hop back on your bike. Try to take your breaks indoors or in the shade.

When you’re ready to purchase a new or used motorcycle, come see us at our dealership in Beaumont, TX, where we carry the latest models by top brands. Talk to our staff if you would like to use financing on your motorcycle purchase. Cowboy Powersports proudly serves the cities of Lake Charles and Pasadena, TX.