What gear to wear when its hot?

Wife and I are taking trip to Nashville this weekend. We rented a bike and plan to spend three days exploring Tennessee. We normally go in April so June and 90+ degrees is hot! We're on a Harley too so add in tons of radiated heat from the engine. My usual leather jacket is not going to cut it, concerned about dehydration more than anything.

 

Here's the advice that I follow.

http://www.ironbutt.com/ibmagazine/ironbutt_1002_62-66_Hot.pdf

Carry a hydration bladder for you and you passenger. Drink often enough that you have to pee at every gas stop.
Limit sports drinks to around 20 oz per day. The extra minerals will make your kidneys work harder than is good for you, so it's best to limit your intake.

 

I have a mesh riding jacket for hot weather. I hope to never test out it's protection capability, but it lets a good bit of wind into the jacket.

 

Stop in at Iron Pony in Columbus and pick up a mesh jacket they work great and you cant beat they're prices.

 

Guys, he'll be riding in temperatures in excess of 93ºF for multiple hours per day. Please read the article I linked. Mesh is not what you want under those conditions (not without using the rain liner anyway).

 

I read the article, although quickly as I am working. I understand wearing undergarments that will wick away moisture. I also understand the need to keep hydrated. What I don't get is how wind heats the body when above 93 degrees. However, that will have to be something for me to delve into more when I have the time to process the article more slowly.

 

I skimmed the article but yeah, I will need to read in more detail later tonight. Also looking like the weather predictions are changing now, forecasting a little cooler but still good info to have.

 

The average skin temperature of your body is 93ºF. At air temperatures above 93ºF your skin will absorb more heat than it sheds (ref. The Second Law of Thermodynamics).
The outdoors essentially becomes a giant oven, and you are the roast.

 

That was a great read, thanks @k-moe ! Here I thought my biggest concern was being too hot, never realized all the science that went into it. A great reminder of how amazing the human body is too.

Depending on the temps, if it's 93+ it may be best to keep the leather jacket and add some wicking under gear. It's got many vents and I find it comfortable without the liner most days. My takeaway is drink approx 10oz water/hour if under 100 degrees, wear wicking under gear to promote evaporative cooling, and wear a non mesh jacket to reduce airflow. Safe to say if we're in the 80's a free flowing mesh jacket would be sufficient for cooling?

 

Yes. That's what I wear, and I put the rain liner in when temps get in the 90's.

Another thing to keep in mind is pacing, and the time of day.
Even though you'll be prepared for the heat, it will wear on you more than riding in cool temperatures. If you can at all avoid riding during the 3-6 pm hours ( when peak heat and peak fatigue coincide) that will go a long way to keping your mind and body fresh for motorcycle duty. I do not always follow that advice, and when I do I tend to regret it.

 

We only get one quick getaway a year if we can so we get up early and make the most of the day. We're out by 7am and back to hotel midafternoon for a nap, shower, and then go see some music. First time going this late and this hot, I appreciate the tips. Motorcycling can be one of the most enjoyable experiences ever but it doesn't take much to make it really unenjoyable. I'm getting old enough now that when I don't listen to my body I regret it very much so.

 

when it gets that hot i've been known to keep a bottle of water in my mesh jacket pocket and douse myself at red lights or even going slow.
even going 70 a black jacket makes you hotter than a light color

 

when you get to Nashville, put on a Penguins shirt and drag a catfish behind your bike

 

I sort of do the same. I give the bite-valve on my hydration bladder a squeeze, and spray the front of my jacket down. That gives me a good 15 to 20 minutes of cooling when it's gotten hot and I haven't been able to pull over to put the liner in.

 

When I bought my XJ, I bought a new helmet. Got a snazzy matt black one, really sexy looking thing. All my previous helmets (due to poverty) have been second hand and whatever was available that fit my gargantuan melon, and (though I'd never paid attention to it) had all been white, or light colors.

I never appreciated the really tremendous difference that helmet color makes in how much heat you pack in when stuck in traffic in the sun. It's unreal. Even though this helmet is actually fairly well ventilated vs. my previous helmets (none of which had vents) it's far hotter at anything short of highway speeds.

 

I've always black helmets, guess I should try a lighter one next time.

Picked up a mesh jacket, shirt, and helmet liner on lunch. Cyclegear had their Heat Out stuff 65% off and a jacket 50% off. Man, those mesh jackets are warm when the liner is in. Stopped at home, ditched the liner, wow those are nice to ride in when it's warmer out.

 

Speedo and flip flops. Now that's HOT riding!

 

LOL, saw a ton of those when we were down in Nashville last weekend.

 

There is sooo much wrong with you Matti that it makes you right!

 

Less heat is why my helmets have all been silver. Plus I figure they are more visible at night in someone's headlights.

Shortly after buying my XJ550 in 1985, I drove it from South Dakota to Chicago suburb, where I was getting married and would live. Two day trip, the second day had record heat, around 98-100 with close to 100% humidity. I wore a leather jacket and stopped about every 20 minutes and drank a quart of water. I also had a windsheild and full face helmet. When I got to my fiance's , I took a shower, drank a quart of water, and slept for 2 hours. I was really dehydrated. At that temperature, its just too hot to ride comfortably!

Still married, and still have the XJ!

Attached is a picture taken the same month, just before the trip. Note the stylish leather Members Only jacket....

 

"Interesting" motorcycle boots!

 

Helmet also doesn't do much good hanging on back of bike....

 

Has anyone seen mesh pants with internal armour ? The jackets are so much more comfortable in 80-90F temp, why not pants ? I refuse to wear shorts or anything without some skin protection
#just.in.case

 

Sounds like you need some chaps

 

I was just thinking of something similar. G-string and a leather vest with perhaps a set of those crocs?

Just kidding.

 

A thong and some thongs. And a shiny silver vest. Plus another dude in similar attire on the back. That's hot!

 

Um.. what kind of website is this ?? Lol..