6 Tips to Stay Cool on Your Motorcycle in Hot Weather

There’s nothing quite like a ride on your motorcycle during great weather. Unfortunately, particularly hot, humid days can make you start sweating before you’ve ever put your helmet on. How can you beat the heat, so you can still enjoy riding your motorcycle during warm weather? Here are some great tips to stay cool while riding.

1. Wear Light-Coloured Gear

Black may be more your style, but light-coloured gear will help you stay cooler on hot days. Consider white textiles to save you a few degrees of heat on your next ride.

Wearing leather motorcycle gear may be all you know. In fact, all your jackets might be leather. But nothing will make you sweat more than this material! Instead of suffering through your ride in an uncomfortable, hot, sweaty textile, consider a mesh jacket instead. Mesh motorcycle gear is far more breathable than leather, and it still offers a great level of protection. Many of these jackets come with CE-rated armor in the front, sides, and back.

2. Cover Up

It might sound counterintuitive to fully cover up to stay cool, but wearing long sleeves and pants will help protect your skin from the hot sun. It will also keep you better hydrated as your sweat evaporates. And remember—for all areas not covered by clothing, make sure to apply sunscreen.

You may think Gore-Tex is designed to keep you warm in cold weather, but it’s actually used to keep you comfortable in any and all climates, including hot weather. Gore-Tex, a waterproof and breathable membrane, will also enable you to lose less moisture and stay hydrated.

3. Wear Base Layers

Most manufacturers offer technical base layers, which are designed to keep you both cool and dry. Thanks to modern research and technology, base layers have come a long way. From moisture-wicking textiles to clothing that create a cooling effect when evaporating sweat, there are many options available to help you stay cool while riding in hot weather.

4. Consider Cooling Products

When you’re riding in hotter-than-normal temperatures, it might be a good idea to consider using cooling products under your jacket. Cooling accessories and vests exist to keep you comfortable. How do these products work? Simply soak the garments in water, wring them out, and put them on. Over the next few hours, the garment will allow water to slowly evaporate to keep you cool.

On scorching hot days, a hydration pack will not only help keep you cool, but using one may be a matter of survival. It’s critical to stay hydrated. The more you sweat on your ride, the more water you’ll lose. This can lead to a shrinking brain, leading to poorer decisions that could cost you your life.

5. Keep the Helmet On

Having the wind blowing through your hair may help you feel cooler in the short term, but it can actually be detrimental in more ways than one. Not only is riding without a helmet unsafe, but it will also expose your head and face to the sun, drying you out and increasing your body temperature, which will actually make you hotter. Instead of ditching the helmet, invest in one with proper ventilation and a light-coloured shell.

6. Ride at the Right Times

How else can you beat the heat? Besides wearing the appropriate motorcycle gear, it’s also good practice to avoid the midday heat, riding at dawn to enjoy the cool morning air or in the evening, once the sun has gone down. Take a break during the middle of the day to stay cool.