Hot weather riding gear

[jdp]

I took a cross country mc ride from the east coast out to California and back, the ride out was perfect weather but coming back was a different story, it was hot like 117 degrees coming across Nevada and just hot and miserable all the way home, along the way I purchased mesh jacket and pants that a BMW rider told me about and the helmet he had was called FEHER ACH-1 it had an ac unit on the back of the helmet about the size of a pack of cigarettes, I just looked it up and for $599 that’s not bad just wondering if anyone of you guys of West have tried it out or heard of this, or how do you guys ride in that kind of heat? As much as I hated to do it I rode at night and slept in the day

[Jess from VA]

I just won't ride in that heat.

I'm not a fan of night riding, but I've done it several times (all night, to beat the heat).

[DirtyDan]

Avoid it when possible

Douse oneself with water and use evaporate cooling when needed

Dan

[Oss]

What Dan said

I start at dawn or before dawn. Get about 130-150 miles before gas stops  I stop before I get tired You cant get un tired and lay off carbs
By afternoon I cant do more than 70 miles in the heat as the heat sucks the life out of me.

Highway departments use evaporative vests, cheap online and really effective

I always carry a few gallon zip lock bags in a soft cooler, Fill with ice water.  Also soak my doo rags.  I wear leather gloves also seems counterintuitive but my hands stay cool. Drink fluids every stop for gas and even pull over and drink. If you dont piss at a gas stop you have not had enough to drink and are in danger Also stretch and walk around and get the blood moving

At gas stop take helmet upside down and put one ice bag in the helmet while at gas stop  The helmet is now cooled down really quickly  

Soak the  vest in water (preferably cool or cold)  You are good for anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour of extreme heat.  

I wear the vest under my mesh jacket but when unbearably hot will put it over my long sleeve cotton or poly shirt and stow the jacket.

Some swear by stopping by 2pm  Others say rest 2-4 pm and then do another 100 miles or so.  It is your ride do what feels right.

I did that trip out to the Pacific 5 yrs ago 78-81 and then out on 40 to Flagstaff then up to Page around the north of the Canyon and thru Zion and 15 to L.A. and then back on 10 till hit Mississippi then north thru Alabama  and up 81  If I had more time I would have taken secondary roads west of the big river but I didnt have but 17 days to do all the places I wanted to see and 3 of them at GOTF, 3 in Phoenix area for BigBF work and visit f6gal and psycho and almost 3 in Beverly Hills/BelAire/Malibu area

[Willow]

Ride more.

[cookiedough]

for those who do not have upfront hwy. pegs, how do you bear the heat if much over 95 degrees out.  The engine if on regular stock pegs behind the engine would probably melt my tennis shoes if not for the upfront hwy. pegs above and outward of the engine. 

Cannot say I have ever ridden in over 95 degree heat here in WI and probably never will, much prefer 40 degree temps over 90 anytime. 

Visited Florida/Alabama once and was mid to upper 90s before 8 a.m. thought to myself how does one ride any cycle in that heat? 

I drink lots of liquids and ice water having 2 BAREFOOT WILLIE cupholdes one mounted on each handlebar in an insulated mug.  Everytime I go into a town slowing down I drink.   

A cooled helmet is a neat idea and I would probably buy one if lived in hotter climates where 90 and above riding is the norm....

[Andy Cote]

BMW rider told me about and the helmet he had was called FEHER ACH-1 it had an ac unit on the back of the helmet about the size of a pack of cigarettes, I just looked it up and for $599

So did he have one of these?  WWW doesn't seem flooded with actual owners or reviews.

[Pappy!]

Central Florida heat and humidity are good proving grounds for hot weather gear.

Joe Rocket mesh jackets seem to flow the most air. 
Read the reviews on helmets that flow good air. I just changed to a Shoei Neotec II and there is a dramatic difference in air flow with the new helmet. Nice Nice Nice!
As the day gets warmer we use evaporative cooling vests under the mesh jackets. Feels like an air conditioning unit inside your jacket once you start moving. When you stop for gas you find a hose or a bottle of water and wet the vest back down again.
I own a pair of Alpinestars boots that flow a bunch of air, they are perforated. Obviously not waterproof but you can put your feet up on the forward pegs and feel the hot air being sucked right out of your boots.

[fudgie]

It was 110 going across the Navajo res last yr after leaving the North Rim. 6 hrs of it. We wore light colored long sleeves and I had a do rag and sometimes a hat on and she had a bandana. I was fine except for my fingers were hot from the heat. I wore fingerless. She would also wear a buff around her face. Sunscreen and chap stick a must.
Most of Utah we rode was in the triple digits. Doing it again in a week and a half.

[sandy]

It's essential to drink lots. I carry a 100 oz Camelback and drink big gulps every 10-20 miles. Lunch waitresses have always filled it with ice water for an extra $ tip.

[Avanti]

I use these all the time.

https://ldcomfort.com/

[shortleg]

   I use camel pack with ice in it down my back under jacket.
     Hydration vest with neck hydration  too.
 Also add piece to cool your head., must keep hydrated.