Summer Motorcycle Riding

When the days are warm and sunny, motorcyclists everywhere start to ready their bikes for summer riding. Good weather and sunshine make for beautiful and pleasant rides, whether you’re coasting through the city or going out of town on a touring trip. You don’t have to worry about slipping around in the rain or in icy conditions when it’s summer, after all!

Summer riding presents some unique challenges, though, mainly tied to the sometimes extreme heat and the dangers of excessive sun exposure. In order to ride safely, you’ll want to prepare yourself and your motorcycle well to deal with the heat. At Road Track & Trail in Big Bend, Wisconsin, we know how hot the summers can get, particularly here in the Midwest, which is why we’ve taken the time to create this quick guide to good summer motorcycle riding practices.

What’s Unique About Summer Riding?

While you may not have to worry much about inclement weather conditions like ice, hail or heavy rains, you still aren’t perfectly safe when riding in the summer. If you don’t adjust your riding style and attire to fit the high temperatures, you could get yourself in trouble. You’ll want to stay aware of the increased glare on the roads, for example, and know that bright sunlight hitting mirrors and windows of other cars could make your visibility more difficult. Wearing sunglasses or a tinted face shield can help with this.

Another concern is the heat itself. Temperatures generally peak during the mid-afternoon, when the sun is at its zenith. If there’s no cloud cover, you’re left completely exposed to the sun with no mitigating shade on some stretches of road. You’ll inevitably feel the effects as you ride, which, if left unchecked, can turn into heatstroke.

What Should You Wear?

While it might seem prudent to dress as you would to walk around outside, in a T-shirt and shorts, that’s not really motorcycle-friendly gear. You need to protect your skin from wind and sun damage as well as road rash in case you do wipe out. While your standard gear might seem too hot, it can actually serve to insulate you from the heat on a hot day, to a point. Choosing a light-colored jacket with ventilation instead of your usual black leather will help you to feel cooler and allow air to circulate. Wear pants and your usual gloves, boots and helmet. Make sure you have some sun protection for your eyes, whether that’s sunglasses under your visor or a tinted visor to protect from UV rays.

Another good way to stay cool is to take a T-shirt or cotton bandana, soak it in water and wrap or tie it around your neck, where the evaporation against your arteries will help cool you down. A bandana tied around your forehead can sop up some sweat, too. Just make sure your visibility isn’t impaired by it. You should also apply sunscreen to any exposed skin, like the back of your neck and your wrists.

Hydration

Staying hydrated is key to preventing heat stroke. You’ll be sweating out a great deal of water and electrolytes while riding in hot weather, so you want to either stop frequently to swig water or have a portable hydration system you can sip from as you ride. Taking frequent breaks out of the heat is a good idea in general to give your body and mind time to rest and to let your bike cool down, particularly if you’re riding on long stretches of road without shade or respite from direct sunlight. Have a snack or drink a sports drink mixed in with your water to replenish electrolytes. Being hydrated will keep your focus sharp and prevent you from suffering undue fatigue that could lead to an accident.

Still searching for the perfect bike for your summer riding? Visit our dealership in Big Bend to view our inventory of used motorcycles for sale. Road Track & Trail is located near Milwaukee, serving the cities of Waukesha and Kenosha, Wisconsin.