Riding in Warm Weather

The sense of freedom you experience when riding a Harley-Davidson® motorcycle comes from your exposure to the environment. When you feel the wind rushing past you, the sounds of the road, and the warmth on a hot summer day, you feel more tuned into your surroundings than you ever could in a car. But with that exposure also comes a few risks. For one, the heat can have a severe impact on your health if you aren’t careful. With the potential for dehydration, heat exhaustion, and even heat stroke, preparing for warm weather riding is essential for your own safety. At Bartel’s Harley-Davidson®, we want you to stay safe in the heat, so we have a few tips for you to consider before your next ride. If you have any additional information or need gear better suited for fighting the heat, come on into our dealership in Marina Del Rey, serving riders from Malibu and Santa Monica, CA.

What to Wear

Motorcycles create a tough challenge when it comes to dressing for the heat. In most cars, you have air conditioning, which means you can wear pretty much whatever you want and still stay cool. But on a bike, you have to dress for safety while also wearing clothes that prevent you from overheating. This means that you’ll need some good riding gear. Riding jackets from Harley-Davidson® are equipped with all the necessary safety features, like extra layers and padding for your elbows, but they also are designed to improve air flow. This means they’ll keep you cool, despite covering your entire torso and arms. We don’t recommend riding a t-shirt, because exposing your skin to direct sunlight will actually drain your energy and cause you to heat up much faster. Similarly, opt for motorcycle riding pants instead of shorts. These are also well ventilated, and they’re padded well to prevent your legs from getting burnt by the exhaust.

What to Drink

If you’ve ever spent more than a few minutes on a motorcycle, you know that it’s a pretty strenuous activity. Considering that you have to hold steady in the wind and keep your bike balanced, you expel a lot of energy, especially over the course of longer rides. This means that you’ll overheat very quickly when riding in warm weather, so you need to make sure you stay hydrated throughout. We recommend bringing along plenty of water bottles, and make sure you’re taking a drink at least every thirty minutes. Ideally, you could get a hydration system, which allows you to continually sip on your fluids without needing to pull off the road. Also, if you’ll be on the road for longer than an hour at a time, you’ll lose a lot of electrolytes through sweating. Replenish your energy with some good sports drinks, but stay away from anything that has too much sugar or too many calories. Bringing snacks is a great idea too, as food will keep your energy levels up.

When to Ride

Ultimately, there are a lot of things you can do to keep yourself cool, but sometimes it’s just too hot to ride, especially here in California. When you notice the temperature getting well above 90°, consider waiting for a cooler time of day. During the summer, we recommend trying to get your trips in before noon and after 6, since everything in between can get so excessively hot. However, if you do decide to ride in the extreme heat, make sure you’re following our advice mentioned previously, and also be on the lookout for signs of dehydration and heat exhaustion

Riding in the heat can be dangerous, but if you prepare properly, keep hydrated, and avoid riding when it’s extremely hot, you should be alright. This guide from Bartel’s Harley-Davidson® explains the basics of warm weather riding, but be sure to come into our dealership if you need better gear for fighting the heat. We’re in Marina Del Rey, and serve riders from Malibu and Santa Monica, CA.