How to Ride Safely in Extreme Heat

Summer is approaching fast, and it already feels like it’s settled in across much of the nation.

Summer is the absolute peak riding time in terms of daylight hours and the sheer number of bikes on the road. Ice and snow are but a memory and even the spring showers make way for sunny skies.

Of course, that sun shining down presents its own, very real challenges for motorcyclists. In the summer months, the entire nation will be subjected to intermittent heat waves, and those extreme heats need to be taken seriously by riders.

You can beat the heat – up to a point – but only if you appropriately consider your bike, body, gear, ride, and pride. Let’s break it down:

Bike

First of all, ask whether your bike is up to the task at hand. You need to understand its tolerance for hot weather. Air-cooled engines, heavy traffic, and high temperatures, for example, are not an ideal mix.

The usual line about regular maintenance and pre- and post-ride spotchecks is that much more critical in extreme conditions. In particular, you’ll want to keep track of your tires, as the heat will impact air pressure.

Also, pay attention to where you park. You’ll not only want to stay in the shade, but consider the surface, as asphalt tends to get soft and sticky in the heat which could lead to a tipover.

Body

You’ll need to ask of yourself what you ask of your bike… Are you up to a hot-weather ride? What’s your basic fitness level and tolerance for hot weather?

Beyond that, you’ll need to hydrate – including drinks that include electrolytes – and you’ll want to do so before you ride, during a break, and after you’ve completed the journey.

If you want to ride like a true hot weather pro, you can even hydrate while you ride with a hydration backpack.

All of this attention to your body directly correlates to the fitness of your brain. You can find yourself dizzy and confused if dehydrated. The emphasis on the temperature does not lessen the load on your brain. You’ll need to stay sharp and alert, maintain your situational awareness, and defensively, as always. None of that changes just because it’s hot.

Finally, you need UV protection. Even when geared up properly – and we’ll get to that next – you’re still likely to have some exposed areas, such as your neck.

Gear

Again, the heat is no excuse. The dangers don’t decrease with the heat, so you can’t skimp on your gear. But you can select gear that is better suited – sometimes specifically engineered – for hot conditions. 

You’ll want a helmet with excellent ventilation and moisture wicking and/or meshed clothing that helps pull sweat away from your body. Light colors reflect the sun rather than absorb it.

And you can take things up a notch with a cooling vest. There are a variety of types to choose from, including ones that utilize ice packs, evaporative techniques, or even battery-powered active circulation systems.

Ride

Timing is everything. The heat is less pronounced early and late in the day, and you’ll want to keep your rides on the shorter side, all things considered.

Don’t just consider when and for how long, think about where. If at all possible, avoid situations where you’ll end up sitting in traffic for extended periods.

Shady rides through the woods are also greatly preferred to wide open areas under the direct and intense spotlight of the summer sun.

Pride

Finally, be willing to accept defeat. If the temperatures are up in the triple digits, it might be best to just sit this one out and come back riding another day.