Motorbikes have been around since the early 1900s, and in that time, they’ve become an indispensable tool for many people. There are over 141 million motorcycles worldwide! However, with this popularity comes a common problem: riding your motorbike in a heatwave. The weather is different every day—sometimes it will be hot as hell while other times it will be cold—and you need to know how to handle your bike in any situation. Here are some tips and tricks to riding your motorbike during the heat of summertime!
Tip #1: Inspect your motorcycle tyres
Pay attention to your tyres. If they are starting to wear thin, then there is a good chance they will begin to crack in extreme heat. So it would be best if you always replaced damaged tyres as soon as possible. On top of this, don’t forget to check your tyre pressure.
Tip #2: All the gear all the time
You might be tempted to skimp out on the leathers, especially when the weather is scorching. Instead, make sure you wear all the gear at all times, as this will protect your skin from road rash in the event of a collision.
Tip #3: Don’t forget to drink lots of water!
We must stay hydrated when it is hot outside, so don’t make the mistake of forgetting to drink a lot of water throughout the day. Becoming dehydrated is more likely to result in errors, which can be costly when riding a motorcycle. Also, when it’s hot, your body will need more fluids than usual. So ensure you’re drinking enough to avoid dehydration and overheating – It’s recommended a minimum of eight glasses for adults.
Tip #4: Try to stop your motorcycle from overheating
There are a few ways to keep your bike from cooking in the sun. First, try to avoid sitting at traffic lights in the sun. Often your engine can overheat without airflow. If you do predict that you’ll be seated at traffic lights for an extended period, consider turning your engine off to prevent excess heat damaging your machine – or worse!
Tip #5: Keep your bike and visor clean!
You’ll likely have a lot of bugs and dirt to deal with in the summer, and it’s important not to let them get caught up on your motorcycle screens or helmet visor. Try to keep things as clean as possible – this will also help you avoid distractions while on the road. Visibility is key
Tip #6: Plan your journey with regular breaks.
This is probably obvious, but it’s essential to take regular breaks when riding in the heat. The best times are during the extreme midday sun. If you feel yourself starting to get tired, then pull over and have a drink. Know your limits – if things become too much, then head home!
Tip #7: Consider wearing a tinted visor.
Sun glare can damage your eyes. A tinted visor will help to keep you cooler as it reduces the amount of glare from the sun. Some helmets come with built-in-flip tinted visors and are great for extremely sunny days.
Tip #8: Wear sunscreen
If you’re going to be out in the sun for a while, wear sunscreen. When riding your motorcycle, it’s vital to protect those soft skin areas around your neck and face with an SPF of at least 30. One of the issues with riding a motorcycle is that often we don’t feel our skin burning due to the constant airflow generated from riding. However, there’s nothing worse than having to drag heavy motorcycle leather across sunburnt skin.
Tip #9: park your bike in the shade.
If you have the opportunity to park your motorcycle in a cool shady spot, take advantage of it. It’s much easier on both yourself and your bike when dealing with high temperatures like this – not to mention less sun exposure means minor paint fading or damage to your plastics.
Tip #10: lay off the throttle.
When it’s hot outside, we all want to go fast. However, doing so in a heatwave can become dangerous. This is because often, we’re more prone to risk-taking when the weather is excellent. The reason being is that we assume the roads offer better riding conditions, and we’re less likely to be involved in an accident. However, this is not the case, and statistically, more fatal accidents occur in the summer months – usually down to rider error.
In conclusion, this blog post has shown you a few tips to help keep yourself and your motorbike safe during a heatwave. If you have any other suggestions you want to share, don’t be afraid to drop a comment below.
