Warm Weather Riding

Few things beat riding Harley-Davidson® bikes in the summer, with the sun warming your back and the open road stretching out ahead of you. At St. Charles Harley-Davidson®, we know how pleasurable summer riding can be, especially when you’re on a Harley touring bike. However, summers get hot, particularly here in the Midwest, where temperatures easily reach 100°F in July and August.

When there are long stretches of time with no reprieve from the heat, it’s easy to forget yourself and, as a result, suffer from the ill effects of hot weather, including heat exhaustion, dehydration and heatstroke. To avoid these ills befalling you, we’ve gathered this list of tips for warm weather riding so you can stay cool and happy as you bike towards the horizon and the next adventure.

Insulate Yourself

While the word “insulate” might connote mental images of those puffy winter vests, this isn’t what we’re suggesting you wear to stay cool. This may sound counterintuitive, but when ambient air temperatures climb above average body temperatures, you’ll want to insulate your body against those high temperatures, which will in turn allow your body to regulate its core temperature.

Light clothes might seem logical when it’s hot, but that only works to a certain degree (no pun intended), and is useless as temps hit 100°F. Also, think about the clothes you usually ride while riding and what their intended purpose is: you wear a riding suit or leather jacket and jeans in case you wipe out and suffer road rash. Keeping your skin protected is vital on a motorcycle, and by wearing a riding suit or ventilated jacket with your usual long pants, boots and gloves, you’re protecting your skin from sun exposure, too.

Cool Down

Wearing all these clothes in the heat along with your motorcycle helmet won’t be the most comfortable way to spend your time, but there are some ways to mitigate that discomfort. Dunk a cotton bandana or T-shirt in water and tie this around your neck as you ride. The water will evaporate, which cools you as it takes some of your body heat with it. You can also mist your face with water when you’re taking a break.

Drink Water

Since you’ll be sweating in hot temperatures no matter what because riding takes a lot out of you, your body will lose more water, which increases the chance you’ll suffer from dehydration. Not only should you replace the fluids lost, but you should replace the salts. Mix a sports drink or a savory snack in with your water consumption to replenish the electrolytes you lose through sweat. You should be hydrated before you climb on your bike and you should stop to drink water often. Dehydration will decrease your focus, weaken your limbs and make you more prone to have an accident, and that’s exactly what you want to avoid. Stay alert by staying hydrated: it’s that simple.

Plan Well

You can make a hard ride much easier by planning ahead and choosing roads that aren’t under the heat of the sun for long stretches at a time. Go for more scenic, shady routes where you can, riding through the forest if you’re near one. You can also change up the times at which you ride. Mornings will be cooler, as will later in the evening. Avoid riding during mid-afternoon, which is when temperatures are at their highest and the sun is near its zenith. Plan breaks into your ride for resting your body and your mind, taking short walks or admiring some local attractions while you rehydrate and regain your focus.

For a great selection of Harley-Davidson® touring motorcycles, come visit our dealership today! St. Charles Harley-Davidson® is conveniently near St. Peters, serving the wider St. Louis metropolitan area. We also happily welcome our customers coming east from Columbia, Missouri!