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True about wearing gear. I live in the Arizona desert were it’s 110°+ daily. I ride year round and people are always amazed when they see me bundled up from head to toe in gear. They’ll ask me if I stop at the store or post office, “Aren’t you hot?!” I answer, “Absolutely! But it’s a beautiful day to be on a motorcycle!” :-D
e z Nah, never too hot. Modern humans have just gotten “fragile” due to all our comforts. I grew up in the desert in the 1970’s, none of our cars had tinted windows, A/C or anything like that back then. No one ever said it was too hot to drive a car. It’s a whole lot cooler on a bike then sitting in the back seat with stationary windows and no air! :-D
Sir, your TH-cam vids are lifesavers. Just love ya! You are a true gentleman and care about us two wheeler's. I wonder how many people seen your video's and without you knowing it, you save their lives by preventing problems later. Keep it up Sir!
Kevin, your training is by far the best. I am 75 years old and I have been riding since 1967. I am retired military and have been to numerous required safety courses and none of them are as good as you. I currently live in what was designated in the newspaper as the most dangerous driving country in the world and that is Thailand. They are trying to figure out why they are the most dangerous in the world and on the next page of the newspaper here they also tell everyone that thru a check that 70 percent of the drivers here don't have a license, so I wonder why they are number 1. I thought you would enjoy that info. Keep up the great work. Thanks for what you do...Jim Williams , a Texan living in Thailand.
All great tips. What has worked for me, here, in southern Arizona, is that I wear a Camelback filled with ice water under my jacket pocket. Mostly ice. This not only allows me to drink the water and cool my core, but, more importantly, it places that cool pack on my back, allowing my blood to circulate by it. This works much like the chiller, but much more convenient.
@@tedjohansen6535 You know I posted that comment 4 years ago, so it took me a while to find my comment and find out what I said. Drinking ice water fools your body into thinking you are not hot and you don't need to sweat.
Kevin I thought the Gold Wing Barista edition came with the built in cycle chiller not only to help cool you down but to make ice coffee with also lol. Good video as usual.
Love your videos, you have helped me a lot. I just completed my MSF Course here in VA this weekend. I passed and you and my instructors helped me to do that. Thank you
Great tips Kevin. I wear my HD mesh jacket in these dog days of summer and it actually keeps me cooler. Plus, because I use armor, if I ever go down, my chances to avoid severe road rash is greater than just wearing just a t-shirt. Keep those videos coming. Very much appreciated!
Agree with all but the "wicking" shirt. Am a 30+ yr runner & 12 yr rider. Have found the sweat stays on an old school cotton T better. The wind against the wet shirt for me seems to cool better than the techno fabrics
Thank you for this pointer. I was looking at ordering one of these, but after reading these posts I realized that here in Eastern NC, with temps often in upper 90 and RH at 80+ regularly, the product would not be very effective.
Addison Williams Jr You will still get benefit at 80% RH, just not as much as at 10% RH in Arizona. Look up sling hygrometer. It measures RH by comparing dry bulb temperature to wet bulb temperature. As RH increases, the difference between these two temperatures gets less. When they are equal, the RH is 100% which means that the wet bulb is providing no cooling to its thermometer. When you are wearing a wet shirt you are basically a wet bulb and will be cooler than a dry bulb as long as the RH is less than 100%.
I’m surprised MC Rider has only 181k subscribers for the high quality he puts out. If every subscriber let their bike buddy know, more lives can be saved and the world of MC becomes slightly safer. I sent 4 people his channel to look and hopefully subscribe.
I've found that using a Camel Back water bladder filled with ice and strapped to my chest under a jacket does a good job and is an inexpensive alternative to the Cycle Chiller. So there are other less expensive options that are effective for those on a budget. Great sound advice! Zip~
@@MCrider -Itchy Boots, Noraly Schoenaker from Holland, on her tour around the world on her Himalayan, uses a camel back. It saved her during some 'real' heat in the middle east, where she has recently passed through. With 200,000 subscribers fast approaching, Noraly is getting ever more popular..
I see lots of similar comments below - but Glendale, AZ "chiming in" - at over 110° - and it's monsoon season here - so the humidity is high. Also a Land Surveyor. I work outside every day / all day. Same mentality for both. Long pants, long sleeve shirts, hat with a rag under it to cover ears and neck makes a huge difference - Same as on the bike / helmet and riding jacket are always a must - EVERY TIME - Can you imagine laying on the pavement out here is something were to go wrong - in shorts and a tee shirt.... You'd cook....
We rode over 700 miles in unbearable heat, from Death Valley to Palms Springs and onto Tucson AZ. Averaging 108 - 115+ degrees. Pulled over and put on our cheap cooling vest, and it was like someone turned on the AC. The vest lasted for about an hour+. We even wet our gloves, but approx. 10 minutes the gloves were dry again.LOL. But the vest saved us, just wished we would've put them on earlier.
@@steveoh9025 No we didn't have the "Cycle Chiller Vest", We have a cheap one that we soak in water for about two minutes. Then put it on under our jacket, and man what a difference it makes. There are many different brands...we purchased our from cycle gear three years ago for about 30$.
Same here, but if the temperature is above 93 F, if you're not careful, you can cook yourself by induction, because at 55 mph, your body's absorbing a crazy amount of energy in the form of heat, far more than it can deal with without some sort of assistance. I wear my Joe Rocket mesh too, but I use an evaporative vest and neck wrap any time it's in the 90s or above. Sometimes I'll go further and fill all the pockets with ice, to include the pocket for the back protector. I might stuff ice all down the front of my jacket. In little more than an hour, all the ice will have melted and not long after that, I'm completely dried out and have to look for more ice or at least water to re-wet the vest. This is what's worked for me in South Texas where we can go 90+ days in a row of 90+ degrees without a drop of rain.
I love my Joe Rocket mesh jacket. It has great protection for the arms ,shoulders and back . All while avoiding many of the heat related issues of other jackets . I couldn’t afford to buy one ( because all my extra money went towards building my other bike) then I found one in perfect condition at a garage sale for $5. Best $5 I’ve spent. I can’t speak highly enough of this jacket.
I have a cup holder on my bike. I keep a coke/gatorade whatever bottle in there with a hole drilled in the lid. Makes it easy to keep yourself wet without constant stops.
I rode here in Central Texas for the past ten years now . During the drought a few years ago I think they said we had 100 days of triple digit temperatures. I remember riding when it was 110 degrees commuting back and forth from work . Which is a fifty miles round trip . I learned the hard way to wear a long sleeve shirt . My first solo ride in Texas it was 100 degrees and I had a short sleeve t-shirt on . Needless to say after a eight hour ride I developed blisters on my arms . Thank God I had my helmet on that day or I probably would have needed medical attention . Thanks for all the suggestions in this video . Not only a way to stay cool . But could very well be life saving .
In Southern Az I drink I lot of water, regularly stop to drink and cool off in any shade Gas stations or fast food joint, I wear cotton long sleeve shirts , armour gloves and LEATHER vest, jeans boots and lid. I try to stay away from traffic when possible, if I find my self in traffic I stop more often. I have trouble stopping I enjoy the riding too much. Great video Thanks Kevin
I've recently returned from a trip to Vietnam where I spent 10 days riding over 1,800kms from NW to Central Vietnam on all kinds of roads, trails and tracks. I opted to follow the example of our Motocross cousins. I ditched the jacket and rode with decent motocross top and pants with a Fox Titan mesh armour vest underneath, knee braces etc. This worked really well in hot and humid conditions also coupled with wetting and a neck rag. Prehydrating and rehydrating were super important, and are worthy or re-emphasizing in any tips about riding in the heat. Personally, I wouldn't be able to use the cycle cooler / Compcooler / Cool Flow type of vests for my type of trips.
I'd love to know other people's opinion on this as many jackets will move around in a crash or slow so the armor doesn't even protect. To me a mesh jacket for motocross along with a leather jacket that doesn't fit tightly is the best combo along with water and a shirt underneath to keep wet.
Right on, Casey. I just finished a 2600 mile trip from S. GA to Wis and back. I bought a tube for a Camelback system, but screws onto a standard water bottle. Works great! Tube loops around the water bottle in my cup holder and only requires one hand to sip water as needed.
No kidding last year I went for a long ride in 90 degree heat and I went through 3 liters at one point with none of it coming out at the restroom. I was just taking a small sip every few minutes. I'd also recommend carrying salt and potassium tablets to help reduce the risk of water intoxication when drinking more than the usual water. You're likely to run low on those, especially if you've got exposed skin due to a mesh jacket.
On long multi day trips if facing high temps we will plan departure from motel at sun up to get where we are going before the worst of the heat. I am by no means a early morning person but in those cases it has worked well. Better to be in AC motel with cool beer at 2.30 in afternoon than on bike with two hundred miles to go. LoL
I was expecting to see this in the video. I use this strategy here in the desert southwest in addition to a cooling vest and frequent stops. Planning around the hottest part of the day is key.
I use a camelback filled with ice and a little water. This provides for a very comfortable ride and water to drink as needed without having to stop or reach into saddle bags. It is a very cost effective way to achieve a cool ride.
augustarichard csra Same here. I fill the Camel back with about 1/2 water then freeze it. Grab a couple of bottles of water and pour one of them in it. Nothing better than cool drink of water when you’re riding in the heat! When the ice melts, I stop at a Sheetz fill the Camelback up with free ice and buy a couple more bottles of water....and I’m off again.
When I did my Canada/USA tour in 2014 there were three regions where the heat really hit me hard. Eastern Oregon along US 20 out towards Juntura was hovering around 95'F. The other two were the Mojave Desert and Phoenix. They were both broiling at about 110'F. For me rather than a jacket I wear an over-sized white long-sleeved shirt which reflects sun and allows air flow. A light coloured helmet is good. Every time I stopped I would not only drink lemonade or something, I would soak my hair. That helped a lot.
Good tips. Recharging an evap vest can be made easier (and cleaner than a restroom sink) if you bring along a sturdy plastic bag which you fill with water. After the vest is recharged the bag folds flat. Macna's evap vest holds water longer but the cooling is not as dramatic as a drench-type wet vest.
I’m sold on this advice. Did the experiment on a 98 degree day (an hour in T shirt/jeans, an hour in full armored cordura jacket/pants). Definitely cooler in full gear than not. Sure, I got hotter than Hades at stoplights, but cooled right back down once underway again. Same gear works just as well at 32 degrees too!
I live in Southern California and generally agree with the recommendations in the video as I have tried all of the suggestions and more. The t-shirt and shorts may work for the young and dumb crowd but is definitely unsafe. On short local riding days at temperatures below 95 degrees, I use a Colorado Cooler wicking best. The CC has ribs on the chest and back filled with water absorbing crystals. You soak the vest for about 8-10 minutes and it’s good for about a half day. For longer rides in temperatures upwards of 115 degrees, I have a Veskimo Cooling Vest (both versions - the hydration vest backpack and the ice chest mounted on the pillion seat) which I bought off a BMW forum member for about $125 several years ago. Normally, the Veskimo cooler will take an 8-10 pound bag of ice and last about a tankful if gas or 230 miles. I have lately been inserting the cooler into a larger collapsible cooler and able to fill the Veskimo cooler with up to 10 lbs. of ice and another 10 pounds surrounding the Veskimo cooler inside the collapsible cooler. This method generally lasts an entire days ride from about 9 am to around 5-6 pm. Early on, I tried a Cycle Gear hydration vest and found it to work for about 45 minutes, if that, in extreme heat before you had to stop to re-wick the thing. I prefer not to stop and found that I’d re-wick it with my own sweat, and it would reek after a few hours riding. Also, hydration vests and the Colorado Cooler vest do not work in high humidity areas, whereas the Veskimo system does. Hope this has been helpful. 😎
The evaporation of the sweat is what does the cooling. Higher speeds of air will make the sweat evaporate faster. So at higher speeds the sweat will cool faster.
Hi Kevin, I know this is totally off topic, but I wanted to share my experience. I was involved in a collision this past Wednesday evening, July 24. I'm sure the circumstances will not surprise you, but they do illustrate several points you constantly make in your videos. I was on the last 3 miles of my 35 mile homeward commute and had recently exited the freeway. I pulled up the the limit line at a red light. Eventually, traffic in the oncoming left turn lane got a green arrow. After their arrow turned red and I got a green light, I waited for the intersection to clear. Witnesses told police I waited about 10 seconds before I proceeded into the intersection. I was about a third of the way into the intersection, still in first gear, when a left turner ran the red arrow and I collided with her vehicle. I got lucky. I separated a shoulder, but the bike is still rideable and I am very much alive and will be returning to work tomorrow. The Police say she was at fault. The witness says she was at fault. My insurance company says she was at fault, BUT... If I was not so close to home, I wouldn't have let my guard down. I am normally hyper vigilant at intersections. Normally I would have ID'd the potential problem and acted accordingly. As it was, the red arrow runner hadn't even appeared on my radar until it was too late to do anything about it. I attribute it to fatigue and complacency. Like I said, I was very fortunate since the outcome could have been much worse. I view this as a learning experience although my preference is NOT to learn the hard way.
I would love to see more motorcycle videos, not just from you, which do not presume that one's motorcycle is a toy or a secondary means of transportation. I plan to ride a motorcycle because I cannot afford a car, and that situation is unlikely to change within the next ten years.
Born and raised in the southern California desert. 120 in the shade. Did I ever get too hot ? Sure. That was just time to go for a ride. Thank God for drive through car washes.
Here in Avondale AZ it’s hitting over 115 at times, I found my dads old soaking vest which I freeze overnight. As I get to work I put a long sleeve shirt into the 2 gallon freezer bag, as the vest thaws it soaks into the shirt. As the 8 hour work day ends the vest and shirt are cold, even the vest is still partially frozen and keeps me cool. I wear spf sleeves that are moisture wicking and with the shirt being soaked it soaks the sleeves nicely. I have a balaclava that is frozen as well for my neck, that cycle chiller backpack maybe my next purchase especially as we get near the 117 or 120 temps. Don’t forget to drink some water before the ride, usually I drink about a half liter which can definitely help before the ride.
They say that cotton kills but... it can actually help when used right. Layer one - quick dry technical material. Layer 2 - long-sleeve cotton T, layer 3 - jacket. Let me explain Layer 2. See, the moisture from the body passes thru Layer one, but it soaks the cotton - which effectivelly acts like water-soaked fabric. It will dry fast once you get moving. But even a mild acceleration can in city traffic cools your wet cotton T enough to keep you sane for the duration of red light. Tested today in 30 Celsius (about 90F). Funnily enough, just as I was parking my bike, a female biker went for a ride on her NC750X automatic passing my parking box in a garage house. Shorts, sleeveless shirt and a strap-on back-protector (+ helmet, of course). Oh, and she wore short Converse shoes. Given the weather today, and multiple road closures, it's best way for to experience heatstroke.
We are near completion of a jacket/liner that cools and heats adjustable to the user. Good for temperature reversal up to about 35 degrees on a 110 degree Phoenix day or about 50 degree increase at just under freezing. All power is sewn into the jacket as are cooler/heating units which weigh a total of about 1.75 pounds (although battery weight is around 8.5 pounds without the solar mount. Run time is based on temp change desired but it really takes less than you think to make a big change. 110 degree day at 20 degree temp drop is 90 degrees. Which is Cooler than your internal body temperature.
Hi Kevin! Good info as always. May I add a few tips from the Long Distance (IBA) Community? 1. Stay hydrated. Drink more than you think you need to. I use a Moto-Jug, which is a 1 gal Coleman thermos jug with a hose and bite nozzle. Easy to drink while riding. I just push it up under my full-face helmet with my left hand. On very hot days, I put half-cut Gatorade into the jug with ice. 2. LDComfort underwear. Like wicking shirt except better (is 2 layers). Not cheap, but excellent product! Dump ambient temperature water into both your jacket and trousers. I carry 6 bottles of water in my panniers. 3. You mentioned a neck rag. I use a cotton bandanna with a piece of disposable diaper sewn into it. Holds water for a long time. Is almost too cool if temps are under 90 F. 4. Wicking beanie cap under your helmet. Wet it while you are wetting your shirt and long underwear. This is the single most effective tactic for cooling your brain. I have to close my helmet vents under 90F because it gets TOO cold! 5. On extreme days, put ice in your jacket and trouser pockets. And, place the remaining ice in a plastic bag under your jacket next to your belly. || Again, thanks for the great TH-cam presentations. God bless!
It's a little late for me now, but I did want to hear what you had to say about the heat problem. A few years ago, I rode through Death Valley when it was 117 degrees there and in the middle of the day with no clouds in sight. We made, it, but not without a great deal of discomfort. We actually wore our gloves because the heat reflecting off the pavement was like holding your hand over a burner on the stove. We wore long-sleeve t-shirts and soaked them with water whenever we had a chance. I think there were only three places in the valley that had water or anything else to drink. The cold water tap put out water about as hot as I'd ever want to bathe in, but even that worked well to provide some relief from the wet shirts. Unfortunately, they were dry in about 5 minutes of riding.
Great information Kevin,thanks! I've done lots of hot weather riding here in NC,commuting 90 - 100 miles per day. That Gold Wing is a poor choice for riding in the heat. The huge engine holds heat and the plastic traps it. Narrow engine,naked bikes are better. I always make sure to wear a good full coverage helmet too,mandatory for safety and far cooler than an open face brain bucket. As you said,bare skin is a no no. I always liked single layer leather gloves,a denim jacket,a cotton bandana around my neck,jeans and boots. And make sure to stay well hydrated at every stop. Then of course,ride early morning and late evening if you can. I have ridden across South Dakota to Sturgis in the blackness of night. Of course one has to be super vigilant in watching out for deer and other nocturnal creatures. Thanks so much Kevin.
Um, I ride a liquid cooled Triumph Sprint and I often have to look down at my right leg to make sure my riding trousers are not on fire lol 🔥. In my riding jacket I have a right and left breast pocket which both can hold a sandwich bag filled with ice. Sheetz gives large cups of ice for free! I drink plenty of water too, and I sometimes use a wet towel around my neck. Last week in Pennsylvania it was pretty hot. Thank you for your most excellent channel Kevin!
Yeah, some bikes are better than others at keeping the heat away from the rider. The Goldwing is pretty good at it...my Road King I used to have was a toastmaster.
Great info Kevin, I’d like to add its hard to sweat if you’re not hydrated...drink more water and wear proper gear. Protection from sun light/energy and to hold moisture is key. Need just enough air flow to feel the evaporating effect, too much and it’s gone too fast.
Kevin... I have a medical condition that makes my body incapable of keeping my body at the correct temperature because of cancer and the treatments to put said cancer in remission. I have tried all the techniques except the Cycle Chillers. I am going to check them out. Thank you so much. With the heat and humidity making temperatures go up to 110 last month I was suffering. MLLHR.
That chiller is wild stuff. For my budget I'll just take the cage on extreme heat/cold days but I'm glad to know they exist. Good video mister. Stop & Go in the Washington, DC area in summer is brutal enough and outright dangerous on 2 wheels. I just can't get mad at the lane splitters and shoulder riders for bypassing the oven. Be safe out there!
Wow! When I read the title of this week's video, I almost skipped it - didn't think it would be of that much value! Boy, was I wrong! While I would never ride wearing t-shirt and shorts - I've ALMOST considered it at times...but your explanation of how it doesn't even help (in fact, makes the heat worse) convinced me to NEVER consider that again for a second! I'm going to get me some of those wicking shirts! Thanks for the great information!
As a personal trainer for 30 years, I'll add a few tips to improve comfort and help the body keep cool and improve stamina. #1 Lose weight! *huge impact* #2 Start doing some basic strength and cardio training. #3 Skip alcohol, sugars and fast carbs. #4 Stay hydrated with good old water. #5 Quit smoking. *Nicotine restricts blood flow.
Great rundown, as always, Kevin. I read an article several years ago about riding in extreme heat. The author used the Bedouins' dress as an example. They dress in loose layers to insulate the body from the heat which keeps the heat from penetrating to the body and allow the sweat to evaporate. I tried this with my heavy leather jacket last August. I left the sleeves unzipped to allow air to flow up my arms and across my chest; I also unzipped the front down to just below my sternum, this too allowed for air to circulate. It was mid-afternoon and hotter than homemade hell when I went out for about a 45 minute ride. I sweated, but stayed amazingly cool! It was like having a cooling vest underneath my jacket. As you said at the beginning of your video, the thing NOT to do is to ride without any protection for your skin.
Good tips, and I follow all the good ones except I've not tried the cycle chillers. Never did the shorts and t-shirt except for when driving a sidecar motorcycle on the beach. Yesterday I did about seven hours riding in the Texas hill country west of San Antonio. I was wearing a mesh jacket with the evaporative vest and neck wrap and a camel back which was filled with ice in the morning. I think the most important tip is to push the water. I think having ice in the camel back, which turns into cold water, is good to help you cool from the inside. I tried a non-mesh ADV style jacket for a couple hours ride a few days ago and it wasn't too bad. The sleeves have the gaiters to put your thumbs through, which keeps the sleeves from riding up, and then I was able to keep the sleeve cuffs open, allowing wind to go up the sleeves. All the vents were kept open and I loosened all the straps. What I found is that with the non-mesh jacket was that as long as I stayed hydrated, my body could produce enough sweat to keep me cool, as long as I also kept moving. With the mesh, I can't possibly drink enough water quickly enough to keep up with how quickly the water evaporates, so I need to stop often to re-wet the evaporative stuff. I feel cooler in the mesh, but I know it can be dangerous because once you dry out, you can overheat in a dangerously short amount of time. The coolest ride I've taken in triple digit temperatures was last summer, filling every pocket of my mesh jacket with ice, putting the jacket on and loosening all the straps except for the one around the waist, which I tightened as tight as I could, and having someone help pour crushed ice all down the jacket, front and back. I was basically packed in ice. I rode from Boerne to New Braunfels, a 50 mile ride, and all the ice was melted away and mostly evaporated by the time I reached home. But man, what a cool ride!
Excellent video as usual, Kevin! I have been looking at chilling vests for the hot AZ summers, and the Cycle Chiller you featured looks like a winner. I am looking at backpack versions, as I am on and off the trike frequently taking pictures and short hikes out in the desert and mountains. I plan to carry a small cooler on the passenger seat, and will carry an extra frozen bladder and some water for myself; this will allow swapping bladders on longer rides. I have heard elsewhere that adding a bit of alcohol to the water in the bladder will depress the freezing point below 32F/0C providing additional cooling time; most home freezes are set considerably lower than the regular freezing temperature, so the alcohol-enhanced bladders should freeze fine. Thanks for sharing these tips, and we'll see you on the road.
Just got my M1 and rode "legal" today on my 2019 Suzuki DR650 . Just local roads in my small town practicing the basics and wearing all my protective gear . Couple minor flubs but it felt great . No Hwy riding yet for me as I really want to get to know my bike first plus I mainly want to do adventure trips in rural areas away from 10 lane freeways . Really like your honesty and experience , people pay attention .
I wear a light colored mesh jacket when I am riding down here in Houston and it works great. Never tried the water tip, but I will definitely give it a try. This is the first time I have heard of Cyclechillers, but WOW!!! This may be the best thing I have seen to beat the Texas heat on a motorcycle. Thanks for sharing Kevin!
Cycle Chillers really is a good product. I have not found anything better at keeping a rider comfortable in the heat. The good thing about it is it works well even if you are in stop and go traffic. The other tips require the bike to be moving to work well.
#1 best solution imo: stay hydrated and stay in shape. If you are healthy, fit, tanned and used to the sun, well rested, and hydrated the effects of the heat are greatly reduced.
Thanks for the great tips Kevin. I have been dialing back my riding due to the heat, that and all the road construction/milling/paving. Will try the shirt and water first and work my way up as needed.
We been having 100+ heat index in Memphis. I still commute daily. Unfortunately on the UPS truck recently i did suffer Heat Exhaustion and ended up returning truck back to building. It shut me down bad! Id rather ride in 30degrees any day than this heat!
The only suggestion that I might would have is that you get ice packs that you can reuse just freeze them in your freezer and put it in the unit. Kevin hope you have a blessed weekend and your family!
A mesh jacket nearly killed me. I couldn't stay hydrated on a 3,000 mile trip from Minnesota to Wyoming and back a few years ago. At one point I sailed through a 4 way intersection at 55 mph without even braking. I even mixed up the clutch and brake levers. I felt fine but was clearly suffering the affects of dehydration. IMO, save the mesh for summer commuting, lower speeds and shorter trips. I now wear an Aerostich Darien jacket with proper base layers. I plan to ride the gulf coast in a week or so. (Mid August). Wish me luck.
Yeah. In the Blue Ridge this week: 60F at dawn and it climbs all the way to 78. Maxfield Parrish skies. Brutal! Two weeks back it was in the 90s and wet,so a good riding week.
What about creating a video about riding in extreme humidity? Our temperatures are usually in the 80s, but the humidity never goes down to 50% and is often above 90%. So, my sweat doesn't evaporate very well, and I always ride with full coverage, with a mesh armored jacket.
Try as I might I just can’t wear a jacket if it’s over 90•. We always wear pants, boots and helmet. Last summer we took our 7 day colorado trip and added Moab UT to the ride. You talk about HOT, good gracious. Keep moving, open your helmet vents and lift the visor a tad is all I have.
(my post to our group in june) I wanted to do an educational post on riding in Texas Hea HOW TO REDUCE FLUID LOSS Not only are you losing bodily fluids because of normal sweating, but the wind rushing over your largest organ (skin) is ACTIVELY pulling the fluids out. A good way to combat this.... Wear long sleaved white shirts, or shirts designed for motorcycling. Always have an undershirt under them. The layering of clothing creates an evaporative cooling effect. The long sleaved shirt reduces the "WIND STEAL" effect. The undershirt "catches" your sweat. When the air flows between the outer shirt and the undershirt, you receive the benefit of evaporative cooling. It's a good thing. Even if you choose to not wear long sleaves, layers WILL help! Headskins perform the same duty. Wet it down with cool water every time you stop. The vents in your helmet will force air passed the cool headskin, causing evaporative cooling. HOW TO REPLACE (INEVITABLE) FLUID LOSS Drink water. Please notice I didn't say DRINK. I said drink WATER. Do not drink sodas, tea, coffee, at least not more than 10% of what you drink. Every single time the motorcycle stops and you take your helmet off, you should drink at least a full 8 oz bottle of water (probably a lot more). Get a small cooler that fits in your saddle bag that holds four or more bottles of water. Camelbacks, or the knock-off brands of them, are also a great option! Fill them fully with ice and then top off with water. If you just fill them up with water you will be drinking hot water while riding and that is NOT helpful. HOW TO RECOGNIZE A PROBLEM HOW TO TREAT THE PROBLEM ONCE REGOGNISED For both of these categories, I want to refer you to the chart I am posting. I WANT TO EMPHASIZE, "Getting really hot" is not just an inconvenience. It could be life threatening. You should be aware of these signs and symptoms and know what to do if you recognize them in yourself or others. We live in Austin and it's June! It's about to get real here! Thank you for your time and consideration. Your friendly neighborhood Registered Nurse
I shelled out for a Bohn Body Armor mesh shirt. It has elbow, shoulder and back pads but perforated fabric elsewhere. Worn over t-shirt it was surprisingly comfortable during the 2-week heat wave in D.C.
1) Sunglasses & a Speedo! 😂 2) I'm in full, all white gear for every ride. Perferated leather jacket (air exhausts out the small of the back) or textile jacket (with HUGE dorsal vents & ventral exhausts), textile pants (w/open vents/exhausts too), short leather gloves, boots, & helmet (the one I have w/oversized vents/exhausts, of course). While it DOES seem counter intuitive, being covered up does work to actually insulate me FROM the heat. . . and the fact that all that white REFLECTS light/heat helps a bit too. 😊 3) Wicking t-shirts FOR SURE. . . I LOVE those things! Also, I wear wicking base layer bottoms (they're somewhere between underwear & long shorts that'll go under the textile pants). I've even made "do-rags" for cooling my shaved head while keeping my helmet interior cleaner. While the wicking apparel is great for "up top", I HAVE found that a pair of THIN, LIGHT, "DRESS" wool socks work best in the boots. Yep, WOOL socks. . . the natural fibers, with their hollow structure, actually insulate from the heat(!?) & keep my feet COOLER(!?) while in boots (with the help of a little cooling, medicated powder too). 😎 4) As TRUE motorcyclists, we'll do WHATEVER it takes to make it through the ride/keep riding. That includes doing things that may seem messy, sloppy, or even barbaric to those who've never been in situations that we're in from time to time. I've done the "bottle of water down the front & back of the jacket" routine once or twice on a long haul. Sure, your gonna have to change when you get "there" & spend a little more time caring for your gear later, but. . . oh well. 🕑 5) & 6) Cooling towel in the shape of a folded bandana (triangle) & tied around your neck helps to cool the hypothalamus, responsible for your body's perception of heat. While you may not ACTUALLY be cooler, your PERCEPTION of how hot you really are will be altered (just don't forget to be aware of this fact & behave accordingly). 😉 7) Cycle Chiller!? I just chuck a scoop of ice from the soda fountain at the 7-eleven down my shorts every 20 miles ir so. 😂 Another fine, informative edition of MC Rider, my friend. Keep 'em commin'! Keep cool & God Bless. 🍦
#1 Tip to stay cool: Completely soak your shirt with cold water, wring out the shirt so it's not dripping wet and put it back on under your gear. The convection effect while drying will keep you nice and cool, you should also be pretty dry by the time you arrive at destination if it's half an hour or more away. I actually used this trick to stay cool and focused while going through MC school a few weeks ago, definitely paid off just wish more people would accept the advice. So annoying to watch someone suffering from the heat and their more disgusted by the thought of wearing a wet shirt than them being a whiny little tool over the situation.
You skipped my favorite hot weather riding trick. I fill my CamelBak with ice before adding water. It keeps me hydrated and comfortable as long as I need. When I run low, I can get more ice and water at any gas station with a fountain drink dispenser.
Thank you for the tips! I'm not sure about your aversion to cotton and your love of gadgets. If we're talking about wicking, a 100% cotton t-shirt soaked in cold water (or your own sweat if you don't have the extra water) should work just as well as the most high-tech "wicking" shirt with lots of polyester and teflon in it. And be a lot cheaper. Of course chilled water will feel better, but the health effects won't be much different. Of course, if you wait to cool off until heat exhaustion sets in, then only chilled water will get you off the hook.
Great practical video. That said, your science is off.When water does it's phase change from water to gas it requires heat. "To convert water from a liquid to a vapor, it takes a certain amount of heat called the heat of vaporization." When you ride in a T-shirt and shorts and you sweat, you do benefit from this unless the water is pulled off of your body before it evaporates. There are three ways heat is trasferred - convection, conduction, and radiation. The reason a jacket may be better than a T-shirt is because it reduces the radiation portion from the sun and if the air temperature is above your body temperature you will not have to fight convective heat transfer. I always gear up. I crashed last year and broke some bones, but I would probably be dead if I wasn't wearing my gear. (I'm nearly back to 100% now... 6 broken ribs, broken collarbone, broken shoulder blade... tiny bit of road rash on my pinky where it burned through my glove)
If you ride in the heat regularly, get a bike with air conditioning. I couldn't believe the first one I saw and was told it was the only way to ride through Arizona!
I used to live in AZ and understand evaporative cooling concepts, you most likely have one on your roof. Yes even in Michigan the sweat inside you jacket works. I went to the cycle chiller websight and thought about it and the lack of room I have on my little 650 just isn't going to be a good option thank for the idea though.
I ride all year round, no matter the weather. Summer in the valley, in CA sucks. It'll be 104 today. Thanks for the tips. At least we can lane split here.
Love the videos man. Keep it up. I used the clutch this evening when I began to over rev my bike on accident. It wanted to go but I cut off its power (used the clutch) before anything bad coulda happened.
I don't think sweat works like that. All that is happening is that the wind blows away energetic water molecules from your skin, so you lose heat energy. It shouldn't matter if the water evaporates the instant it is released from your pores or if it sits around for a while in a puddle on your skin.
Kevin, To your knowledge does riding in the wintertime cold cause any problems with rubber seals or gaskets to an engine of your motorcycle? Like leaking or breaking down? It would seem to me that as long as you let your bike warm up to optimum temperature before you ride that it would be OK. Do you think that it would be OK? What temperatures do you think would not be good to ride in? I have a Polar Bear type of body heat & plan on doing most of my Riding during the winter months. Dressing appropriately of course. Thanks.
Even more important than a well ventilated helmet, jacket, pants, gloves and boots, consistent and on-going hydration in small amounts is critical...guzzling water at gas stops isn’t ideal. I always tour with a 2L camelback filled with ice and water...it can literally be a lifesaver when riding for hours at in extreme heat.
I have an Alpinestars Celer jacket that flows air better than any other jacket I have tried. I ride in the central valley in Ca and it is well over 100 most of the summer and its bearable. But I think that part of riding a bike is being tough enough to bear some heat. Cheers
Many good tips, ive heard of before except the cycle chiller. I did see another concept while at Bike week, a company had designed a misting unit that you could adjust how much h2o comes out of the nozzles. Seems like a good idea.
Darn. I just painted my toe nails to show off with my flip flops while out riding today. Seriously, the #1 thing at lowest cost is to hydrate! and wear full gear like you say, Kevin. Thank goodness for modern, non cotton clothes. I have wet down the front of my pants in the past to help cool off. Now that will wake you up if you're drowsy from the heat.
Light colors light colors light colors!!! I see a lot if guys around my area with all dark jackets while my summer gear has a lot of white and gray colors. Nothing black.
I haven't found those lighter color combos available in the larger sizes. My Dainese New Air Drake pants only come in black (all sizes). What brand are your white/gray summer jackets? I think they just want us 200+ pound guys to sweat it off in the all black gear.
5 ปีที่แล้ว +1
40,7 °C this week in the Netherlands. Black bike, jacket, gloves and helmet: not recommended
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True about wearing gear. I live in the Arizona desert were it’s 110°+ daily. I ride year round and people are always amazed when they see me bundled up from head to toe in gear. They’ll ask me if I stop at the store or post office, “Aren’t you hot?!” I answer, “Absolutely! But it’s a beautiful day to be on a motorcycle!” :-D
I get that question too... I always say, "I would rather be hot on a motorcycle than cool in a car." :)
e z Nah, never too hot. Modern humans have just gotten “fragile” due to all our comforts. I grew up in the desert in the 1970’s, none of our cars had tinted windows, A/C or anything like that back then. No one ever said it was too hot to drive a car. It’s a whole lot cooler on a bike then sitting in the back seat with stationary windows and no air! :-D
Sir, your TH-cam vids are lifesavers. Just love ya! You are a true gentleman and care about us two wheeler's. I wonder how many people seen your video's and without you knowing it, you save their lives by preventing problems later. Keep it up Sir!
Thank you Anthony. 👍🏻
Kevin, your training is by far the best. I am 75 years old and I have been riding since 1967. I am retired military and have been to numerous required safety courses and none of them are as good as you. I currently live in what was designated in the newspaper as the most dangerous driving country in the world and that is Thailand. They are trying to figure out why they are the most dangerous in the world and on the next page of the newspaper here they also tell everyone that thru a check that 70 percent of the drivers here don't have a license, so I wonder why they are number 1. I thought you would enjoy that info. Keep up the great work. Thanks for what you do...Jim Williams , a Texan living in Thailand.
All great tips. What has worked for me, here, in southern Arizona, is that I wear a Camelback filled with ice water under my jacket pocket. Mostly ice. This not only allows me to drink the water and cool my core, but, more importantly, it places that cool pack on my back, allowing my blood to circulate by it. This works much like the chiller, but much more convenient.
Ice on my back would feel good but drinking ice water in high heat is counter productive.
Agree
@@danfarrell8958 How is that counterproductive? Explanation is appreciated for something counterintuitive like this.
@@tedjohansen6535 You know I posted that comment 4 years ago, so it took me a while to find my comment and find out what I said. Drinking ice water fools your body into thinking you are not hot and you don't need to sweat.
Riding in the Texas summer is like riding through a giant hair dryer!
Like a blast furnace in Sydney...got up to almost 50*C here last summer
I wouldn’t say it was dry in the hill country last week, but when I got back to Arizona and the dust was blowing across the road, now that was dry.
Same in California
@Tucker Latham
O ok
But today was 105f in Sacramento
@Tucker Latham
Yep 😣
Kevin I thought the Gold Wing Barista edition came with the built in cycle chiller not only to help cool you down but to make ice coffee with also lol. Good video as usual.
I thought he got the "Culinary" model ???? - That said, it should have come with an ice chest too.....
OBI- WAN I checked his old video posted 4-1 he called it the barista model but also it cooled hot pockets lol
Love your videos, you have helped me a lot. I just completed my MSF Course here in VA this weekend. I passed and you and my instructors helped me to do that. Thank you
Great tips Kevin. I wear my HD mesh jacket in these dog days of summer and it actually keeps me cooler. Plus, because I use armor, if I ever go down, my chances to avoid severe road rash is greater than just wearing just a t-shirt. Keep those videos coming. Very much appreciated!
Agree with all but the "wicking" shirt. Am a 30+ yr runner & 12 yr rider. Have found the sweat stays on an old school cotton T better. The wind against the wet shirt for me seems to cool better than the techno fabrics
I'm afraid The thought of some of the fellas i see riding around in a Wet t-shirt is more than i can bear , but this arguably a subjective statement .
Wicking shirts suck. They cause me to overheat. Cotton all the way
I've been wicking T-shirts since the '60s and I still swear by it. In the really dry Texas heat, it has worked well for me.
Sure. Nothing like adult diaper rash from damp clothes and chafed skin. Go for it!
I live in a humid area, and in my research of cooling vests I learned that they don’t work very well in humid conditions.
I live in East Texas and tried a cooling vest a few years ago and found that it did not work very well for me in the humidity and heat we get here.
Yep, evaporative cooling obviously requires evaporation. When RH approaches 100%, the evaporation rate approaches zero.
Thank you for this pointer. I was looking at ordering one of these, but after reading these posts I realized that here in Eastern NC, with temps often in upper 90 and RH at 80+ regularly, the product would not be very effective.
Addison Williams Jr You will still get benefit at 80% RH, just not as much as at 10% RH in Arizona. Look up sling hygrometer. It measures RH by comparing dry bulb temperature to wet bulb temperature. As RH increases, the difference between these two temperatures gets less. When they are equal, the RH is 100% which means that the wet bulb is providing no cooling to its thermometer. When you are wearing a wet shirt you are basically a wet bulb and will be cooler than a dry bulb as long as the RH is less than 100%.
I’m surprised MC Rider has only 181k subscribers for the high quality he puts out. If every subscriber let their bike buddy know, more lives can be saved and the world of MC becomes slightly safer. I sent 4 people his channel to look and hopefully subscribe.
I've found that using a Camel Back water bladder filled with ice and strapped to my chest under a jacket does a good job and is an inexpensive alternative to the Cycle Chiller. So there are other less expensive options that are effective for those on a budget. Great sound advice! Zip~
There's always a way to so called buck the system and find a more economical way to accomplish similar results on a budget. Cheers! Zip~
@@MCrider -Itchy Boots, Noraly Schoenaker from Holland, on her tour around the world on her Himalayan, uses a camel back. It saved her during some 'real' heat in the middle east, where she has recently passed through. With 200,000 subscribers fast approaching, Noraly is getting ever more popular..
I see lots of similar comments below - but Glendale, AZ "chiming in" - at over 110° - and it's monsoon season here - so the humidity is high. Also a Land Surveyor. I work outside every day / all day. Same mentality for both. Long pants, long sleeve shirts, hat with a rag under it to cover ears and neck makes a huge difference - Same as on the bike / helmet and riding jacket are always a must - EVERY TIME - Can you imagine laying on the pavement out here is something were to go wrong - in shorts and a tee shirt.... You'd cook....
We rode over 700 miles in unbearable heat, from Death Valley to Palms Springs and onto Tucson AZ. Averaging 108 - 115+ degrees. Pulled over and put on our cheap cooling vest, and it was like someone turned on the AC. The vest lasted for about an hour+. We even wet our gloves, but approx. 10 minutes the gloves were dry again.LOL. But the vest saved us, just wished we would've put them on earlier.
dang. same chiller vest referred to in the video?
@@steveoh9025 No we didn't have the "Cycle Chiller Vest", We have a cheap one that we soak in water for about two minutes. Then put it on under our jacket, and man what a difference it makes. There are many different brands...we purchased our from cycle gear three years ago for about 30$.
@@BootsandJeansRiders thanks
My Joe rocket phoenix mesh jacket is incredibly cool and protective.
That's what I wear as well...LOVE it!!
Same here, but if the temperature is above 93 F, if you're not careful, you can cook yourself by induction, because at 55 mph, your body's absorbing a crazy amount of energy in the form of heat, far more than it can deal with without some sort of assistance. I wear my Joe Rocket mesh too, but I use an evaporative vest and neck wrap any time it's in the 90s or above. Sometimes I'll go further and fill all the pockets with ice, to include the pocket for the back protector. I might stuff ice all down the front of my jacket. In little more than an hour, all the ice will have melted and not long after that, I'm completely dried out and have to look for more ice or at least water to re-wet the vest. This is what's worked for me in South Texas where we can go 90+ days in a row of 90+ degrees without a drop of rain.
Love mine!
@@justinwaller7339 true! I live in toronto and we never get that hot anyways.
I love my Joe Rocket mesh jacket. It has great protection for the arms ,shoulders and back . All while avoiding many of the heat related issues of other jackets . I couldn’t afford to buy one ( because all my extra money went towards building my other bike) then I found one in perfect condition at a garage sale for $5. Best $5 I’ve spent. I can’t speak highly enough of this jacket.
I have a cup holder on my bike. I keep a coke/gatorade whatever bottle in there with a hole drilled in the lid. Makes it easy to keep yourself wet without constant stops.
I couldn't see myself drinking on the go but that right there is a great idea!
@@bikerbobcat I don't use it as a drink on the go thing. It's either taking coffee to work, or using it as a hold my hose down bottle :D
I rode here in Central Texas for the past ten years now . During the drought a few years ago I think they said we had 100 days of triple digit temperatures. I remember riding when it was 110 degrees commuting back and forth from work . Which is a fifty miles round trip .
I learned the hard way to wear a long sleeve shirt . My first solo ride in Texas it was 100 degrees and I had a short sleeve t-shirt on . Needless to say after a eight hour ride I developed blisters on my arms . Thank God I had my helmet on that day or I probably would have needed medical attention .
Thanks for all the suggestions in this video . Not only a way to stay cool . But could very well be life saving .
In Southern Az I drink I lot of water, regularly stop to drink and cool off in any shade Gas stations or fast food joint, I wear cotton long sleeve shirts , armour gloves and LEATHER vest, jeans boots and lid. I try to stay away from traffic when possible, if I find my self in traffic I stop more often.
I have trouble stopping I enjoy the riding too much.
Great video Thanks Kevin
Sweating beats shivering!
I've recently returned from a trip to Vietnam where I spent 10 days riding over 1,800kms from NW to Central Vietnam on all kinds of roads, trails and tracks. I opted to follow the example of our Motocross cousins. I ditched the jacket and rode with decent motocross top and pants with a Fox Titan mesh armour vest underneath, knee braces etc. This worked really well in hot and humid conditions also coupled with wetting and a neck rag. Prehydrating and rehydrating were super important, and are worthy or re-emphasizing in any tips about riding in the heat. Personally, I wouldn't be able to use the cycle cooler / Compcooler / Cool Flow type of vests for my type of trips.
I'd love to know other people's opinion on this as many jackets will move around in a crash or slow so the armor doesn't even protect. To me a mesh jacket for motocross along with a leather jacket that doesn't fit tightly is the best combo along with water and a shirt underneath to keep wet.
I am disappointed that you aren't harping about drinking water! No beer or soda! Get a Camelback or knock off brand! Drink WATER constantly!
Right on, Casey. I just finished a 2600 mile trip from S. GA to Wis and back. I bought a tube for a Camelback system, but screws onto a standard water bottle. Works great! Tube loops around the water bottle in my cup holder and only requires one hand to sip water as needed.
No kidding last year I went for a long ride in 90 degree heat and I went through 3 liters at one point with none of it coming out at the restroom. I was just taking a small sip every few minutes.
I'd also recommend carrying salt and potassium tablets to help reduce the risk of water intoxication when drinking more than the usual water. You're likely to run low on those, especially if you've got exposed skin due to a mesh jacket.
On long multi day trips if facing high temps we will plan departure from motel at sun up to get where we are going before the worst of the heat. I am by no means a early morning person but in those cases it has worked well. Better to be in AC motel with cool beer at 2.30 in afternoon than on bike with two hundred miles to go. LoL
I was expecting to see this in the video. I use this strategy here in the desert southwest in addition to a cooling vest and frequent stops. Planning around the hottest part of the day is key.
It gets above 110 degrees here in the Arizona desert. I'll check out Cycle Chiller. Thanks for an interesting video.
It is a good product.
I use a camelback filled with ice and a little water. This provides for a very comfortable ride and water to drink as needed without having to stop or reach into saddle bags. It is a very cost effective way to achieve a cool ride.
augustarichard csra Same here. I fill the Camel back with about 1/2 water then freeze it. Grab a couple of bottles of water and pour one of them in it. Nothing better than cool drink of water when you’re riding in the heat! When the ice melts, I stop at a Sheetz fill the Camelback up with free ice and buy a couple more bottles of water....and I’m off again.
When I did my Canada/USA tour in 2014 there were three regions where the heat really hit me hard. Eastern Oregon along US 20 out towards Juntura was hovering around 95'F. The other two were the Mojave Desert and Phoenix. They were both broiling at about 110'F. For me rather than a jacket I wear an over-sized white long-sleeved shirt which reflects sun and allows air flow. A light coloured helmet is good. Every time I stopped I would not only drink lemonade or something, I would soak my hair. That helped a lot.
Good tips. Recharging an evap vest can be made easier (and cleaner than a restroom sink) if you bring along a sturdy plastic bag which you fill with water. After the vest is recharged the bag folds flat. Macna's evap vest holds water longer but the cooling is not as dramatic as a drench-type wet vest.
I’m sold on this advice. Did the experiment on a 98 degree day (an hour in T shirt/jeans, an hour in full armored cordura jacket/pants). Definitely cooler in full gear than not. Sure, I got hotter than Hades at stoplights, but cooled right back down once underway again.
Same gear works just as well at 32 degrees too!
I live in Southern California and generally agree with the recommendations in the video as I have tried all of the suggestions and more. The t-shirt and shorts may work for the young and dumb crowd but is definitely unsafe. On short local riding days at temperatures below 95 degrees, I use a Colorado Cooler wicking best. The CC has ribs on the chest and back filled with water absorbing crystals. You soak the vest for about 8-10 minutes and it’s good for about a half day.
For longer rides in temperatures upwards of 115 degrees, I have a Veskimo Cooling Vest (both versions - the hydration vest backpack and the ice chest mounted on the pillion seat) which I bought off a BMW forum member for about $125 several years ago. Normally, the Veskimo cooler will take an 8-10 pound bag of ice and last about a tankful if gas or 230 miles. I have lately been inserting the cooler into a larger collapsible cooler and able to fill the Veskimo cooler with up to 10 lbs. of ice and another 10 pounds surrounding the Veskimo cooler inside the collapsible cooler. This method generally lasts an entire days ride from about 9 am to around 5-6 pm.
Early on, I tried a Cycle Gear hydration vest and found it to work for about 45 minutes, if that, in extreme heat before you had to stop to re-wick the thing. I prefer not to stop and found that I’d re-wick it with my own sweat, and it would reek after a few hours riding. Also, hydration vests and the Colorado Cooler vest do not work in high humidity areas, whereas the Veskimo system does. Hope this has been helpful. 😎
The evaporation of the sweat is what does the cooling. Higher speeds of air will make the sweat evaporate faster. So at higher speeds the sweat will cool faster.
Hi Kevin, I know this is totally off topic, but I wanted to share my experience. I was involved in a collision this past Wednesday evening, July 24. I'm sure the circumstances will not surprise you, but they do illustrate several points you constantly make in your videos. I was on the last 3 miles of my 35 mile homeward commute and had recently exited the freeway. I pulled up the the limit line at a red light. Eventually, traffic in the oncoming left turn lane got a green arrow. After their arrow turned red and I got a green light, I waited for the intersection to clear. Witnesses told police I waited about 10 seconds before I proceeded into the intersection. I was about a third of the way into the intersection, still in first gear, when a left turner ran the red arrow and I collided with her vehicle. I got lucky. I separated a shoulder, but the bike is still rideable and I am very much alive and will be returning to work tomorrow. The Police say she was at fault. The witness says she was at fault. My insurance company says she was at fault, BUT... If I was not so close to home, I wouldn't have let my guard down. I am normally hyper vigilant at intersections. Normally I would have ID'd the potential problem and acted accordingly. As it was, the red arrow runner hadn't even appeared on my radar until it was too late to do anything about it. I attribute it to fatigue and complacency. Like I said, I was very fortunate since the outcome could have been much worse. I view this as a learning experience although my preference is NOT to learn the hard way.
Glad you came out of it relatively ok. Thanks for sharing.
I would love to see more motorcycle videos, not just from you, which do not presume that one's motorcycle is a toy or a secondary means of transportation. I plan to ride a motorcycle because I cannot afford a car, and that situation is unlikely to change within the next ten years.
Born and raised in the southern California desert. 120 in the shade. Did I ever get too hot ? Sure. That was just time to go for a ride. Thank God for drive through car washes.
Here in Avondale AZ it’s hitting over 115 at times, I found my dads old soaking vest which I freeze overnight. As I get to work I put a long sleeve shirt into the 2 gallon freezer bag, as the vest thaws it soaks into the shirt. As the 8 hour work day ends the vest and shirt are cold, even the vest is still partially frozen and keeps me cool. I wear spf sleeves that are moisture wicking and with the shirt being soaked it soaks the sleeves nicely. I have a balaclava that is frozen as well for my neck, that cycle chiller backpack maybe my next purchase especially as we get near the 117 or 120 temps. Don’t forget to drink some water before the ride, usually I drink about a half liter which can definitely help before the ride.
They say that cotton kills but... it can actually help when used right. Layer one - quick dry technical material. Layer 2 - long-sleeve cotton T, layer 3 - jacket. Let me explain Layer 2. See, the moisture from the body passes thru Layer one, but it soaks the cotton - which effectivelly acts like water-soaked fabric. It will dry fast once you get moving. But even a mild acceleration can in city traffic cools your wet cotton T enough to keep you sane for the duration of red light. Tested today in 30 Celsius (about 90F).
Funnily enough, just as I was parking my bike, a female biker went for a ride on her NC750X automatic passing my parking box in a garage house. Shorts, sleeveless shirt and a strap-on back-protector (+ helmet, of course). Oh, and she wore short Converse shoes. Given the weather today, and multiple road closures, it's best way for to experience heatstroke.
We are near completion of a jacket/liner that cools and heats adjustable to the user. Good for temperature reversal up to about 35 degrees on a 110 degree Phoenix day or about 50 degree increase at just under freezing. All power is sewn into the jacket as are cooler/heating units which weigh a total of about 1.75 pounds (although battery weight is around 8.5 pounds without the solar mount. Run time is based on temp change desired but it really takes less than you think to make a big change. 110 degree day at 20 degree temp drop is 90 degrees. Which is Cooler than your internal body temperature.
Mcrider is officially popular enough for marketing
Hi Kevin! Good info as always. May I add a few tips from the Long Distance (IBA) Community? 1. Stay hydrated. Drink more than you think you need to. I use a Moto-Jug, which is a 1 gal Coleman thermos jug with a hose and bite nozzle. Easy to drink while riding. I just push it up under my full-face helmet with my left hand. On very hot days, I put half-cut Gatorade into the jug with ice. 2. LDComfort underwear. Like wicking shirt except better (is 2 layers). Not cheap, but excellent product! Dump ambient temperature water into both your jacket and trousers. I carry 6 bottles of water in my panniers. 3. You mentioned a neck rag. I use a cotton bandanna with a piece of disposable diaper sewn into it. Holds water for a long time. Is almost too cool if temps are under 90 F. 4. Wicking beanie cap under your helmet. Wet it while you are wetting your shirt and long underwear. This is the single most effective tactic for cooling your brain. I have to close my helmet vents under 90F because it gets TOO cold! 5. On extreme days, put ice in your jacket and trouser pockets. And, place the remaining ice in a plastic bag under your jacket next to your belly. || Again, thanks for the great TH-cam presentations. God bless!
It's a little late for me now, but I did want to hear what you had to say about the heat problem. A few years ago, I rode through Death Valley when it was 117 degrees there and in the middle of the day with no clouds in sight. We made, it, but not without a great deal of discomfort. We actually wore our gloves because the heat reflecting off the pavement was like holding your hand over a burner on the stove. We wore long-sleeve t-shirts and soaked them with water whenever we had a chance. I think there were only three places in the valley that had water or anything else to drink. The cold water tap put out water about as hot as I'd ever want to bathe in, but even that worked well to provide some relief from the wet shirts. Unfortunately, they were dry in about 5 minutes of riding.
Great information Kevin,thanks! I've done lots of hot weather riding here in NC,commuting 90 - 100 miles per day. That Gold Wing is a poor choice for riding in the heat. The huge engine holds heat and the plastic traps it. Narrow engine,naked bikes are better. I always make sure to wear a good full coverage helmet too,mandatory for safety and far cooler than an open face brain bucket. As you said,bare skin is a no no. I always liked single layer leather gloves,a denim jacket,a cotton bandana around my neck,jeans and boots. And make sure to stay well hydrated at every stop. Then of course,ride early morning and late evening if you can. I have ridden across South Dakota to Sturgis in the blackness of night. Of course one has to be super vigilant in watching out for deer and other nocturnal creatures. Thanks so much Kevin.
Um, I ride a liquid cooled Triumph Sprint and I often have to look down at my right leg to make sure my riding trousers are not on fire lol 🔥. In my riding jacket I have a right and left breast pocket which both can hold a sandwich bag filled with ice. Sheetz gives large cups of ice for free! I drink plenty of water too, and I sometimes use a wet towel around my neck. Last week in Pennsylvania it was pretty hot. Thank you for your most excellent channel Kevin!
Yeah, some bikes are better than others at keeping the heat away from the rider. The Goldwing is pretty good at it...my Road King I used to have was a toastmaster.
Great info Kevin, I’d like to add its hard to sweat if you’re not hydrated...drink more water and wear proper gear. Protection from sun light/energy and to hold moisture is key. Need just enough air flow to feel the evaporating effect, too much and it’s gone too fast.
Kevin... I have a medical condition that makes my body incapable of keeping my body at the correct temperature because of cancer and the treatments to put said cancer in remission. I have tried all the techniques except the Cycle Chillers. I am going to check them out. Thank you so much. With the heat and humidity making temperatures go up to 110 last month I was suffering. MLLHR.
That chiller is wild stuff. For my budget I'll just take the cage on extreme heat/cold days but I'm glad to know they exist. Good video mister. Stop & Go in the Washington, DC area in summer is brutal enough and outright dangerous on 2 wheels. I just can't get mad at the lane splitters and shoulder riders for bypassing the oven. Be safe out there!
The chiller seems to work on the same premise as icers for total joint replacements.
Wow! When I read the title of this week's video, I almost skipped it - didn't think it would be of that much value! Boy, was I wrong! While I would never ride wearing t-shirt and shorts - I've ALMOST considered it at times...but your explanation of how it doesn't even help (in fact, makes the heat worse) convinced me to NEVER consider that again for a second! I'm going to get me some of those wicking shirts! Thanks for the great information!
As a personal trainer for 30 years, I'll add a few tips to improve comfort and help the body keep cool and improve stamina.
#1 Lose weight! *huge impact*
#2 Start doing some basic strength and cardio training.
#3 Skip alcohol, sugars and fast carbs.
#4 Stay hydrated with good old water.
#5 Quit smoking. *Nicotine restricts blood flow.
Great rundown, as always, Kevin. I read an article several years ago about riding in extreme heat. The author used the Bedouins' dress as an example. They dress in loose layers to insulate the body from the heat which keeps the heat from penetrating to the body and allow the sweat to evaporate. I tried this with my heavy leather jacket last August. I left the sleeves unzipped to allow air to flow up my arms and across my chest; I also unzipped the front down to just below my sternum, this too allowed for air to circulate. It was mid-afternoon and hotter than homemade hell when I went out for about a 45 minute ride. I sweated, but stayed amazingly cool! It was like having a cooling vest underneath my jacket. As you said at the beginning of your video, the thing NOT to do is to ride without any protection for your skin.
Good tips, and I follow all the good ones except I've not tried the cycle chillers. Never did the shorts and t-shirt except for when driving a sidecar motorcycle on the beach. Yesterday I did about seven hours riding in the Texas hill country west of San Antonio. I was wearing a mesh jacket with the evaporative vest and neck wrap and a camel back which was filled with ice in the morning. I think the most important tip is to push the water. I think having ice in the camel back, which turns into cold water, is good to help you cool from the inside. I tried a non-mesh ADV style jacket for a couple hours ride a few days ago and it wasn't too bad. The sleeves have the gaiters to put your thumbs through, which keeps the sleeves from riding up, and then I was able to keep the sleeve cuffs open, allowing wind to go up the sleeves. All the vents were kept open and I loosened all the straps. What I found is that with the non-mesh jacket was that as long as I stayed hydrated, my body could produce enough sweat to keep me cool, as long as I also kept moving. With the mesh, I can't possibly drink enough water quickly enough to keep up with how quickly the water evaporates, so I need to stop often to re-wet the evaporative stuff. I feel cooler in the mesh, but I know it can be dangerous because once you dry out, you can overheat in a dangerously short amount of time. The coolest ride I've taken in triple digit temperatures was last summer, filling every pocket of my mesh jacket with ice, putting the jacket on and loosening all the straps except for the one around the waist, which I tightened as tight as I could, and having someone help pour crushed ice all down the jacket, front and back. I was basically packed in ice. I rode from Boerne to New Braunfels, a 50 mile ride, and all the ice was melted away and mostly evaporated by the time I reached home. But man, what a cool ride!
Excellent video as usual, Kevin! I have been looking at chilling vests for the hot AZ summers, and the Cycle Chiller you featured looks like a winner. I am looking at backpack versions, as I am on and off the trike frequently taking pictures and short hikes out in the desert and mountains. I plan to carry a small cooler on the passenger seat, and will carry an extra frozen bladder and some water for myself; this will allow swapping bladders on longer rides. I have heard elsewhere that adding a bit of alcohol to the water in the bladder will depress the freezing point below 32F/0C providing additional cooling time; most home freezes are set considerably lower than the regular freezing temperature, so the alcohol-enhanced bladders should freeze fine. Thanks for sharing these tips, and we'll see you on the road.
Just got my M1 and rode "legal" today on my 2019 Suzuki DR650 . Just local roads in my small town practicing the basics and wearing all my protective gear . Couple minor flubs but it felt great . No Hwy riding yet for me as I really want to get to know my bike first plus I mainly want to do adventure trips in rural areas away from 10 lane freeways .
Really like your honesty and experience , people pay attention .
I wear a light colored mesh jacket when I am riding down here in Houston and it works great. Never tried the water tip, but I will definitely give it a try.
This is the first time I have heard of Cyclechillers, but WOW!!! This may be the best thing I have seen to beat the Texas heat on a motorcycle. Thanks for sharing Kevin!
Cycle Chillers really is a good product. I have not found anything better at keeping a rider comfortable in the heat. The good thing about it is it works well even if you are in stop and go traffic. The other tips require the bike to be moving to work well.
#1 best solution imo: stay hydrated and stay in shape. If you are healthy, fit, tanned and used to the sun, well rested, and hydrated the effects of the heat are greatly reduced.
Bingo. If you are feeling thirsty you are already dehydrated.
Thanks for the great tips Kevin. I have been dialing back my riding due to the heat, that and all the road construction/milling/paving. Will try the shirt and water first and work my way up as needed.
Great ideas. To keep cool. Heat kills🌞
We been having 100+ heat index in Memphis. I still commute daily. Unfortunately on the UPS truck recently i did suffer Heat Exhaustion and ended up returning truck back to building. It shut me down bad! Id rather ride in 30degrees any day than this heat!
Be careful out there Mike. I had heat exhaustion in the Army, no fun.
The only suggestion that I might would have is that you get ice packs that you can reuse just freeze them in your freezer and put it in the unit. Kevin hope you have a blessed weekend and your family!
Thanks for the video Mr. Kevin.
A mesh jacket nearly killed me. I couldn't stay hydrated on a 3,000 mile trip from Minnesota to Wyoming and back a few years ago. At one point I sailed through a 4 way intersection at 55 mph without even braking. I even mixed up the clutch and brake levers. I felt fine but was clearly suffering the affects of dehydration.
IMO, save the mesh for summer commuting, lower speeds and shorter trips. I now wear an Aerostich Darien jacket with proper base layers.
I plan to ride the gulf coast in a week or so. (Mid August). Wish me luck.
Yeah. In the Blue Ridge this week: 60F at dawn and it climbs all the way to 78. Maxfield Parrish skies. Brutal!
Two weeks back it was in the 90s and wet,so a good riding week.
Grew up and rode for 10 years in hot and humid Alabama. Best thing is a mesh jacket with under armor heat gear underneath.
Thanks Kevin, another great seminar.
Most of this doesn't work that great when the dew points are 70+, you just get heat stroke and crawl for the A/C.
B. Chuchlucious Absolutely! I try to not ride when the dewpoints are over 70.
What about creating a video about riding in extreme humidity? Our temperatures are usually in the 80s, but the humidity never goes down to 50% and is often above 90%. So, my sweat doesn't evaporate very well, and I always ride with full coverage, with a mesh armored jacket.
Try as I might I just can’t wear a jacket if it’s over 90•. We always wear pants, boots and helmet. Last summer we took our 7 day colorado trip and added Moab UT to the ride. You talk about HOT, good gracious. Keep moving, open your helmet vents and lift the visor a tad is all I have.
(my post to our group in june) I wanted to do an educational post on riding in Texas Hea
HOW TO REDUCE FLUID LOSS
Not only are you losing bodily fluids because of normal sweating, but the wind rushing over your largest organ (skin) is ACTIVELY pulling the fluids out. A good way to combat this.... Wear long sleaved white shirts, or shirts designed for motorcycling. Always have an undershirt under them. The layering of clothing creates an evaporative cooling effect. The long sleaved shirt reduces the "WIND STEAL" effect. The undershirt "catches" your sweat. When the air flows between the outer shirt and the undershirt, you receive the benefit of evaporative cooling. It's a good thing. Even if you choose to not wear long sleaves, layers WILL help! Headskins perform the same duty. Wet it down with cool water every time you stop. The vents in your helmet will force air passed the cool headskin, causing evaporative cooling.
HOW TO REPLACE (INEVITABLE) FLUID LOSS
Drink water. Please notice I didn't say DRINK. I said drink WATER. Do not drink sodas, tea, coffee, at least not more than 10% of what you drink. Every single time the motorcycle stops and you take your helmet off, you should drink at least a full 8 oz bottle of water (probably a lot more). Get a small cooler that fits in your saddle bag that holds four or more bottles of water. Camelbacks, or the knock-off brands of them, are also a great option! Fill them fully with ice and then top off with water. If you just fill them up with water you will be drinking hot water while riding and that is NOT helpful.
HOW TO RECOGNIZE A PROBLEM
HOW TO TREAT THE PROBLEM ONCE REGOGNISED
For both of these categories, I want to refer you to the chart I am posting.
I WANT TO EMPHASIZE, "Getting really hot" is not just an inconvenience. It could be life threatening. You should be aware of these signs and symptoms and know what to do if you recognize them in yourself or others. We live in Austin and it's June! It's about to get real here!
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Your friendly neighborhood Registered Nurse
Haha this was a problem here in the UK yesterday - one day in year. Now we're back to grey skies and rain :(
Far more comfortable though
I shelled out for a Bohn Body Armor mesh shirt. It has elbow, shoulder and back pads but perforated fabric elsewhere. Worn over t-shirt it was surprisingly comfortable during the 2-week heat wave in D.C.
Thanks for sharing these tips for riding in the heat. The chiller sounds awesome, and I never thought of wicking shirts.
The wicking shorts are a great place to start.
HAHAHAHA,,,,,,, yeap, come on over to Yuma, Arizona! They'll tell you,,,, oh, but it's a "DRY" heat!
1) Sunglasses & a Speedo! 😂
2) I'm in full, all white gear for every ride. Perferated leather jacket (air exhausts out the small of the back) or textile jacket (with HUGE dorsal vents & ventral exhausts), textile pants (w/open vents/exhausts too), short leather gloves, boots, & helmet (the one I have w/oversized vents/exhausts, of course). While it DOES seem counter intuitive, being covered up does work to actually insulate me FROM the heat. . . and the fact that all that white REFLECTS light/heat helps a bit too. 😊
3) Wicking t-shirts FOR SURE. . . I LOVE those things! Also, I wear wicking base layer bottoms (they're somewhere between underwear & long shorts that'll go under the textile pants). I've even made "do-rags" for cooling my shaved head while keeping my helmet interior cleaner. While the wicking apparel is great for "up top", I HAVE found that a pair of THIN, LIGHT, "DRESS" wool socks work best in the boots. Yep, WOOL socks. . . the natural fibers, with their hollow structure, actually insulate from the heat(!?) & keep my feet COOLER(!?) while in boots (with the help of a little cooling, medicated powder too). 😎
4) As TRUE motorcyclists, we'll do WHATEVER it takes to make it through the ride/keep riding. That includes doing things that may seem messy, sloppy, or even barbaric to those who've never been in situations that we're in from time to time. I've done the "bottle of water down the front & back of the jacket" routine once or twice on a long haul. Sure, your gonna have to change when you get "there" & spend a little more time caring for your gear later, but. . . oh well. 🕑
5) & 6) Cooling towel in the shape of a folded bandana (triangle) & tied around your neck helps to cool the hypothalamus, responsible for your body's perception of heat. While you may not ACTUALLY be cooler, your PERCEPTION of how hot you really are will be altered (just don't forget to be aware of this fact & behave accordingly). 😉
7) Cycle Chiller!? I just chuck a scoop of ice from the soda fountain at the 7-eleven down my shorts every 20 miles ir so. 😂
Another fine, informative edition of MC Rider, my friend. Keep 'em commin'! Keep cool & God Bless. 🍦
#1 Tip to stay cool: Completely soak your shirt with cold water, wring out the shirt so it's not dripping wet and put it back on under your gear. The convection effect while drying will keep you nice and cool, you should also be pretty dry by the time you arrive at destination if it's half an hour or more away. I actually used this trick to stay cool and focused while going through MC school a few weeks ago, definitely paid off just wish more people would accept the advice. So annoying to watch someone suffering from the heat and their more disgusted by the thought of wearing a wet shirt than them being a whiny little tool over the situation.
You skipped my favorite hot weather riding trick. I fill my CamelBak with ice before adding water. It keeps me hydrated and comfortable as long as I need. When I run low, I can get more ice and water at any gas station with a fountain drink dispenser.
Thanks for your advice, makes good sense. 👍
Thank you for the tips! I'm not sure about your aversion to cotton and your love of gadgets. If we're talking about wicking, a 100% cotton t-shirt soaked in cold water (or your own sweat if you don't have the extra water) should work just as well as the most high-tech "wicking" shirt with lots of polyester and teflon in it. And be a lot cheaper. Of course chilled water will feel better, but the health effects won't be much different. Of course, if you wait to cool off until heat exhaustion sets in, then only chilled water will get you off the hook.
Nothing beats 96% humidity with the dew point sitting at 85 degrees, temp 105. I would much rather deal with 70% humidity and 120 temp.
Wow, where was it like that?
Great practical video. That said, your science is off.When water does it's phase change from water to gas it requires heat. "To convert water from a liquid to a vapor, it takes a certain amount of heat called the heat of vaporization." When you ride in a T-shirt and shorts and you sweat, you do benefit from this unless the water is pulled off of your body before it evaporates. There are three ways heat is trasferred - convection, conduction, and radiation. The reason a jacket may be better than a T-shirt is because it reduces the radiation portion from the sun and if the air temperature is above your body temperature you will not have to fight convective heat transfer. I always gear up. I crashed last year and broke some bones, but I would probably be dead if I wasn't wearing my gear. (I'm nearly back to 100% now... 6 broken ribs, broken collarbone, broken shoulder blade... tiny bit of road rash on my pinky where it burned through my glove)
Good info on the science part...I may have been sleeping that day in class. :)
anything with hoses running to my body... F that... I don't even like water cooled motorcycles. Dang
I dunno, I need wires to my heated gloves to get through the winter commute at 5 degrees Fahrenheit
What is a Fahrenheit? 😉
If you ride in the heat regularly, get a bike with air conditioning. I couldn't believe the first one I saw and was told it was the only way to ride through Arizona!
I used to live in AZ and understand evaporative cooling concepts, you most likely have one on your roof. Yes even in Michigan the sweat inside you jacket works. I went to the cycle chiller websight and thought about it and the lack of room I have on my little 650 just isn't going to be a good option thank for the idea though.
You could use the backpack version if there is no room on the motorcycle.
thanks for being my jiminy cricket, just got back from a trip with your tip echoing in my head, "eyes up".
I ride all year round, no matter the weather. Summer in the valley, in CA sucks. It'll be 104 today.
Thanks for the tips. At least we can lane split here.
Love the videos man. Keep it up. I used the clutch this evening when I began to over rev my bike on accident. It wanted to go but I cut off its power (used the clutch) before anything bad coulda happened.
Good suggestions , I live in Florida, so I will try wearing a jacket, never thought of using it as a cooling mechanism.
Great ideas about the cycle chillers. I am headed for their site.now. Thanks.
I don't think sweat works like that. All that is happening is that the wind blows away energetic water molecules from your skin, so you lose heat energy. It shouldn't matter if the water evaporates the instant it is released from your pores or if it sits around for a while in a puddle on your skin.
Salt tablets or Thermo Tabs also help in high heat. Just be prepared for the inside of your helmet to turn a whitish grey color!
The places on your body where some water is most effective are where you have blood vessels near the surface, such as neck, wrists, back of knees.
Some great information. Thanks and keep up the great videos.
110.48ºF In the Eastern suburbs of Paris, France yesterday (25th)! A tad warm for the bike.
Kevin,
To your knowledge does riding in
the wintertime cold cause any problems
with rubber seals or gaskets to an
engine of your motorcycle?
Like leaking or breaking down?
It would seem to me that as long
as you let your bike warm up to optimum
temperature before you ride that it
would be OK.
Do you think that it would be OK?
What temperatures do you think
would not be good to ride in?
I have a Polar Bear type of body
heat & plan on doing most of my
Riding during the winter months.
Dressing appropriately of course.
Thanks.
Great tips
Even more important than a well ventilated helmet, jacket, pants, gloves and boots, consistent and on-going hydration in small amounts is critical...guzzling water at gas stops isn’t ideal. I always tour with a 2L camelback filled with ice and water...it can literally be a lifesaver when riding for hours at in extreme heat.
I have an Alpinestars Celer jacket that flows air better than any other jacket I have tried. I ride in the central valley in Ca and it is well over 100 most of the summer and its bearable. But I think that part of riding a bike is being tough enough to bear some heat. Cheers
Many good tips, ive heard of before except the cycle chiller. I did see another concept while at Bike week, a company had designed a misting unit that you could adjust how much h2o comes out of the nozzles. Seems like a good idea.
Going to ride to Sturgis next week. VERY good tips👍🏻
Darn. I just painted my toe nails to show off with my flip flops while out riding today. Seriously, the #1 thing at lowest cost is to hydrate! and wear full gear like you say, Kevin. Thank goodness for modern, non cotton clothes. I have wet down the front of my pants in the past to help cool off. Now that will wake you up if you're drowsy from the heat.
Light colors light colors light colors!!! I see a lot if guys around my area with all dark jackets while my summer gear has a lot of white and gray colors. Nothing black.
I haven't found those lighter color combos available in the larger sizes. My Dainese New Air Drake pants only come in black (all sizes). What brand are your white/gray summer jackets? I think they just want us 200+ pound guys to sweat it off in the all black gear.
40,7 °C this week in the Netherlands. Black bike, jacket, gloves and helmet: not recommended
Hier nog een.. alsof je in een oven rijd! Dan werkt het zweten in een jasje ook niet meer.
Another good video. Thanks🇬🇧👍