5 Ways to Prep Your Motorcycle for Summer and beat the heat! Ride safer, cooler, and smarter with our expert tips for warm-weather adventures.
Warm weather may seem like the ideal time to ride, but excessive temperatures can lead to unexpected complications. Heat changes the physics of your commute and can make it uncomfortable to ride, especially during the day. More traffic and construction can also complicate your trip, increasing the risk of accidents and clogged routes. Get your bike (and your body) ready for a busy summer travel season.
Gather Riding Essentials
Ride safely regardless of the temperature outside. Hot weather doesn’t make it okay to forgo a helmet. Assemble the required motorcycle safety gear, including a full-face or half-face helmet with tinted goggles or a visor, gloves, long sleeves, pants and boots, to protect yourself from serious injury. Wear lightweight, durable clothes that shield you from the sun and debris. Moisture-wicking underlayers dry quickly to keep sweat at bay. Check the fit and condition of each item to ensure that it’s ready for another season of wear and tear. Inspect aging gear after every trip and replace your helmet if it’s more than five years old.
Pair your helmet with a Bluetooth motorcycle intercom to communicate hands-free with up to 15 riders simultaneously using your voice instead of hand signals. Nothing puts you at risk like taking your eyes off the road or hands off the handlebars. Watch for mistakes from other drivers. The situation could change at any moment.
Heat-Proof Your Bike
Every vehicle is sensitive to heat. Higher temperatures reduce efficiency and increase wear and tear by raising pressure and straining metal components. Change your oil and filters at the beginning of summer and every 5,000 miles thereafter. Heat burns off the oil, reducing lubrication. Metal parts grind together, releasing shavings into the oil supply. Keep your coolant levels high and flush the system as debris accumulates in the tank. Clean and lubricate the chain and all exposed parts before riding and continue to do so in between rides or every few hundred miles on long trips.
Heat also increases the risk of blowouts by increasing tire pressure, while lower temperatures reduce pressure. These fluctuations stress the rubber, while making it harder to maintain the proper PSI. Check your pressure often and adjust it on the spot during long rides to avoid getting a flat.
Gear Up for Hot Weather
Doing anything in extreme heat is challenging. Riding already demands a lot from your body, so you need to take additional precautions to avoid heat stress. Up your storage game to make room for more water, lean, healthy snacks, extra clothes (in case you sweat), a first aid kit, repair tools and cooling gear to lower your body temperature. Long-distance riders often wear cooling vests underneath their clothing to avoid overexertion.
Know Your Limits
Prepare your mind and body for more intense rides as temperatures continue to rise due to climate change. Long-distance riding can increase your risk of heat stroke. Watch for symptoms, including dizziness, impaired decision-making, fatigue, excessive perspiration, fever and chills, in yourself and your fellow riders. Stop often, at least once every two hours, to stretch, rest and rehydrate. Just because the sun is shining doesn’t mean it’s safe to ride.
How hot is too hot? Check the heat index, which combines temperature and humidity to provide a more accurate depiction of what it feels like outside, before hitting the road. Riding with a heat index of 90°F (32°C) requires extra precautions, such as wearing a cooling vest. Anything above 103°F (39°C) is considered too hot to ride.
Don’t count on the wind or breeze to keep you cool. Traffic jams and construction can leave you stuck in traffic for hours, surrounded by hot vehicles.
Prepare for Congestion
Traffic and construction can affect more than just travel times. They often make it more challenging to ride as a group. You can ride two to a lane in a staggered formation, but you may need to split off as cars change lanes and merge with oncoming traffic.
Create a plan for navigating tight situations with your group to ensure everyone knows how to respond to disruptions. Sync your every move with a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet. It creates a direct link between you and every other rider within range. It will stay connected as your formation changes and reconnect automatically when you catch up to the crew so you can pick up where you left off without having to touch the device.
Safe Summer Riding for More Fun
Summer means more adventures, busier streets and hotter motorcycle parts. Keep up with your maintenance responsibilities, as the heat puts added wear on various systems and components. Prepare to share the road with road-trippers and students off from school by slowing down and expecting mistakes from others. Use the proper gear to stay safe all summer long without letting the heat cramp your style.
FAQs: Prep Motorcycle for Summer
1. What gear should I wear for summer motorcycle rides?
Wear a helmet, gloves, and long sleeves. Choose pants and boots too. Pick lightweight, cool clothes that wick away moisture.
2. How do I protect my motorcycle from heat?
Change your oil and filters often. Keep coolant levels up and clean your chain. Check tire pressure often, too.
3. What should I carry for hot weather rides?
Bring water, snacks, and extra clothes. Don’t forget a first aid kit and tools. Wear cooling vests and breathable clothes.
4. When is it too hot to ride a motorcycle?
Don’t ride if it’s over 103°F (39°C). Be careful in temperatures above 90°F. Always check the heat index first.
5. How can I ride safely in summer traffic?
Plan your route and watch for roadwork. Use a Bluetooth helmet to stay in touch. Ride smart and be ready for sudden changes.