Hey Arizona, how do you deal with the heat?

[ButterSmooth]

At the end of last Summer, I was suffering when the temperature got into the 90°s. My comfort range on 2 wheels was from 60° to 100° -- on the Spyder it's from 40° to 90°. While the range is greater on the Spyder, those 90°+ days were miserable.

My conclusion is that I don't know how to deal with the heat. So, here's a plea for advice from those of you who live and ride in the warmer areas of the country. The 'choke' point for me seems to be my Shoei RF1200 helmet, but I'm sure there are many other things I can improve.

 

[SportsterDoc]

I have regularly written at temps up to 116 degrees F.
HJC IS-33 helmet
Carhartt long sleeve t-shirt (good UV rating)
Wranglers
Boots
Lightweight deer skin gloves
Flip up the face shield at signals.
Keep moving as much as practical.

 

[RideOn]

Ditto to what SportsterDoc said, but I've also found that mesh jackets help a whole lot compared to a t-shirt. As long as you're moving, the mesh will give you sun protection and be cooler than without it.

Don't forget some sunscreen for your face, even with the helmet. I've come back home a few times with a nose that was so burned it felt more like shoe leather than skin. Same for any exposed skin; between sun and wind on the ryde, burns will be fast and deep.

:doorag:

 

[bigbadbrucie]

For me, I think, is age related. On my ‘wing I would ride all day in 90 degree heat. I was in my late 40’s early 50’s then. Now I’m in my late 70’s and riding the Spyder and I can barely stand 80 degree heat.....and yes, we do get those temps up here in Canada. just my .02.

 

[ButterSmooth]

I have regularly written at temps up to 116 degrees F.
HJC IS-33 helmet
Carhartt long sleeve t-shirt (good UV rating)
Wranglers
Boots
Lightweight deer skin gloves
Flip up the face shield at signals.
Keep moving as much as practical.

I'll look into the helmet. It seems to me that the Ryker, with your body in the air stream, would be more like a motorcycle than the RT. The wind protection that makes 40° comfortable is stifling at 95°.

Ditto to what SportsterDoc said, but I've also found that mesh jackets help a whole lot compared to a t-shirt. As long as you're moving, the mesh will give you sun protection and be cooler than without it.

Don't forget some sunscreen for your face, even with the helmet. I've come back home a few times with a nose that was so burned it felt more like shoe leather than skin. Same for any exposed skin; between sun and wind on the ryde, burns will be fast and deep.

:doorag:

I ride with a t-shirt under an armored mesh jacket, and it works except when stopped. Never had an issue with burns.

and bigbadbrucie, you may be on to something. I'm a bit long of the tooth, too.

 

[YumaGary]

Be very respectful of heat, hydrate frequently and be careful not to ride to far. It was probably heat that killed a friend of mine and wrecked his Spyder this summer,

 

[MRH]

Without any doubt, the most important temperature change I made was to purchase the BRP short windshield and add an X-Creen like this one:
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/mra-x-creen-tour-variable-windscreen-spoiler-blade
You can adjust it on the fly to push the air right into your face on a hot day, and it helps even at slower speeds because it catches a lot of air.

A mesh jacket that is mesh all the way around is also a big help. Most are only mesh front and back, and on the top of the sleeves (where the air doesn't catch on a Spyder). I also wear very light gloves that are really designed for dirtbikes. I have one by Fly that I love, but now everything I see is only part mesh.

On the truly hot days, I also use a cooling vest (you just soak it in water)
https://www.amazon.com/TechNiche-In...1&keywords=cooling+vest&qid=1608258819&sr=8-7

 

[SportsterDoc]

Bruce: The older I get (74 in 2 months) the narrower my comfort zone for temperature. It was 15°F when I left my northern Arizona ranch 4 AM Tuesday and I was definitely using gloves to handle propane cylinders and such!

In the Southwest 90° F is just warm... however, it is generally a dry heat or a dry cold... and that makes considerable difference.

When I had my CB 1100 I went up to Mount Charleston (roadways are over 8,500 ft elevation), went through a shower and my long sleeve t-shirt was soaking wet... By the time I descended to 3,000 feet elevation it was completely dry.

 

[MRH]

Oh, and I ride with the clear screen on my Shoei Neotech 2 up, and with a very form fitting pair of glasses over my eyes. That way the wind is in my face, but my eyes don't dry out.

In the dry heat, you can be reasonably comfortable in the 90's with my setup. Also keep lots of water on hand, and drink before you get thirsty.

 

[SportsterDoc]

Ride On: very good points about sunscreen. When I used a 3/4 helmet I used high SPF on cheeks and nose.

Long sleeve Carhartt button up shirt sleeves are not as long as their T-shirts. When I have ridden with a button up long sleeve Carhartt and only a short sleeve T-shirt, I got a lot of color on my wrists between the shirt and my gloves. The long sleeve T-shirt pulls out farther over the wrists.

For my 1100 mile ride in September I had three layers available. A long sleeve button up over a long sleeve T was almost too warm, but heading north through the Navajo reservation I didn't want to give up the collar for sun protection on my neck.
Trees for a shady stop along highway 89 are extremely rare north of Flagstaff.

 

[SportsterDoc]

Butter:
I had Dart Marlin fly screens on my Moto Guzzi and Honda; Sport windscreen on the Ryker. One negative aspect of hot weather riding on the Ryker is heat at the feet especially when stopped and the fan kicks on

 

[ButterSmooth]

Without any doubt, the most important temperature change I made was to purchase the BRP short windshield and add an X-Creen like this one:
https://www.revzilla.com/motorcycle/mra-x-creen-tour-variable-windscreen-spoiler-blade
You can adjust it on the fly to push the air right into your face on a hot day, and it helps even at slower speeds because it catches a lot of air.

A mesh jacket that is mesh all the way around is also a big help. Most are only mesh front and back, and on the top of the sleeves (where the air doesn't catch on a Spyder). I also wear very light gloves that are really designed for dirtbikes. I have one by Fly that I love, but now everything I see is only part mesh.

On the truly hot days, I also use a cooling vest (you just soak it in water)
https://www.amazon.com/TechNiche-In...1&keywords=cooling+vest&qid=1608258819&sr=8-7

I bookmarked the vest -- sounds like a great idea, thanks!

 

[SportsterDoc]

Yuma Gary: Yes hydration is critical. The Rykers glove box will hold three half liter water bottles. With one pre-frozen and all three inside an insulated bag , cold water is possible throughout the day.

 

[ButterSmooth]

Oh, and I ride with the clear screen on my Shoei Neotech 2 up, and with a very form fitting pair of glasses over my eyes. That way the wind is in my face, but my eyes don't dry out.

In the dry heat, you can be reasonably comfortable in the 90's with my setup. Also keep lots of water on hand, and drink before you get thirsty.

I've been looking at the Neotech 2. How is it for airflow?

 

[MRH]

I've been looking at the Neotech 2. How is it for airflow?

Since I almost always ride with the screen up, it's fine for the way I ride. A 3/4, of course, let's in much more air, but they also provide zero jaw protection, and I like my teeth. My wife just got a Shark modular (much like the Neotech) and it is lighter and has some great design choices. Absolutely check it out -- it may be my next helmet (as much as I love my Shoei).

 

[YumaGary]

Be very respectful of heat, hydrate frequently and be careful not to ride to far. It was probably heat that killed a friend of mine and wrecked his Spyder this summer,

 

[ButterSmooth]

Since I almost always ride with the screen up, it's fine for the way I ride. A 3/4, of course, let's in much more air, but they also provide zero jaw protection, and I like my teeth. My wife just got a Shark modular (much like the Neotech) and it is lighter and has some great design choices. Absolutely check it out -- it may be my next helmet (as much as I love my Shoei).

Shoeis fit my head perfectly. I live where mail order is the only choice, so trying on isn't an option. I will check it out. Do you have any comments about the head fit when compared to Shoei? I want face protection -- the world couldn't take an uglier me...

 

[canamjhb]

When the temperature gets above (about) 95F there is no cooling from evaporation (sweat) and air over your body will increase your temperature. You NEED to cool it by external means. That is, get into a cool environment. Wet yourself down with cool water or some other way. I take breaks about every half hour to cool down in extremely hot weather. I carry a spray bottle of water and use it liberally. Keep your skin covered with long sleeve shirts and pants. Drink more water than you think you need because you really do need it. And don't try to be a tough guy and ride it out. The heat WILL overcome before you know what is happening..... Jim

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

Visor open, face protection from the raised windshield, mesh jacket, and over 90 something a water soaked cool vest I bought at Cycle Gear. The cool vest makes a 10 to 15 degree difference. I've ridden at 110° + comfortably with it.

 

[2dogs]

I liberally cover exposed skin with #30 sunblock. Wear a long-sleeved white T-shirt over a cool vest and carry a camelback 1/2 full of ice and 1/2 full of water. I make frequent stops to refresh the cool vest and my camelback. I've put down a lot of miles that way.