Keeping cool in the Dog Days of summer
07-20-2005, 12:09 PM
#1
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Posts: n/a
Keeping cool in the Dog Days of summer
Riding in hot weather can sometimes be a bit of a struggle, especially with
the current spate of hot weather.
One approach we all know is to drink sufficiently in order to prevent
dehydration and also allow for evaporative cooling through sweating.
But prolonged sweating is a stress on our system and adds to fatigue over
time. Water is only the fuel that allows sweating.
Our body has to suck up its resources in order to produce the continued
sweat.
There are some gear options that can make this much more bearable.
One option is to wear an evaporative cooling vest. Though cooling vests are at their best in hot and dry climates, they can also offer benefit in humid climates. There are quite a few on the market to choose from.
I have a review up on my website for the Joe Rocket Sahara vest.
http://pages.videotron.com/mcrides/p...ket/sahara.htm
Though the review deals with one model in particular, the concepts and
comments can be applied to most quality evaporative vests.
A good cooling vest will lower your level of body heat stress and fatigue.
It will even make sitting in traffic more bearable. Something to consider.
Another option is a good pair of mesh or breathable pants that don't
significantly compromise on safety.
You can definitely be stewing in your own juices when wearing regular riding pants in more extreme weather. Again, a good pair of vented pants will lower your heat stress. IF the mesh is well positioned, it limits the amount of engine heat exposure.
As example, I have a review and comments up on the Teknic Supervent pants.
http://pages.videotron.com/mcrides/p.../supervent.htm
Cheers!
Montreal, Canada
http://pages.videotron.com/mcrides
the current spate of hot weather.
One approach we all know is to drink sufficiently in order to prevent
dehydration and also allow for evaporative cooling through sweating.
But prolonged sweating is a stress on our system and adds to fatigue over
time. Water is only the fuel that allows sweating.
Our body has to suck up its resources in order to produce the continued
sweat.
There are some gear options that can make this much more bearable.
One option is to wear an evaporative cooling vest. Though cooling vests are at their best in hot and dry climates, they can also offer benefit in humid climates. There are quite a few on the market to choose from.
I have a review up on my website for the Joe Rocket Sahara vest.
http://pages.videotron.com/mcrides/p...ket/sahara.htm
Though the review deals with one model in particular, the concepts and
comments can be applied to most quality evaporative vests.
A good cooling vest will lower your level of body heat stress and fatigue.
It will even make sitting in traffic more bearable. Something to consider.
Another option is a good pair of mesh or breathable pants that don't
significantly compromise on safety.
You can definitely be stewing in your own juices when wearing regular riding pants in more extreme weather. Again, a good pair of vented pants will lower your heat stress. IF the mesh is well positioned, it limits the amount of engine heat exposure.
As example, I have a review and comments up on the Teknic Supervent pants.
http://pages.videotron.com/mcrides/p.../supervent.htm
Cheers!
Montreal, Canada
http://pages.videotron.com/mcrides
07-20-2005, 02:03 PM
#2
Moderator
MotoGP
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: South Texas
Posts: 2,553
Re: Keeping cool in the Dog Days of summer
IMO, mesh gear is the best motorcycle safety development in the last 10 years.
You didn't mention another GREAT item for riding in the heat or long periods of time and that's a personal hydration system (commonly referred to as a camelback). If you're having to pull over due to thirst, it's all ready too late to prevent the onset of dehydration. Being able to sip on cold water or sports drink whenever you can (like on the straights) is soooo cool (bad pun intended). I find I'm in better shape at the end of the day than others who don't use them.
Another benefit: Since you don't gulp down a bunch of liquid at a stop thus flooding your internal system and overloading your kidneys which then dump what they can't handle to the bladder, you won't have to urinate so often.
You didn't mention another GREAT item for riding in the heat or long periods of time and that's a personal hydration system (commonly referred to as a camelback). If you're having to pull over due to thirst, it's all ready too late to prevent the onset of dehydration. Being able to sip on cold water or sports drink whenever you can (like on the straights) is soooo cool (bad pun intended). I find I'm in better shape at the end of the day than others who don't use them.
Another benefit: Since you don't gulp down a bunch of liquid at a stop thus flooding your internal system and overloading your kidneys which then dump what they can't handle to the bladder, you won't have to urinate so often.
07-31-2005, 01:14 AM
#4
Senior Member
Superstock
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Seattle
Posts: 295
Anyone ever try these for riding. I was thinking of getting the Crusader shirt and the Armor pants with tail support.
Looks like some killer good stuff.. Light and effective.
http://www.bohnarmor.com/catalog/products.php?id=18
Looks like some killer good stuff.. Light and effective.
http://www.bohnarmor.com/catalog/products.php?id=18
07-31-2005, 09:41 AM
#5
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MotoGP
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Gainesville FLA.
Posts: 3,844
Re: Keeping cool in the Dog Days of summer
I own Fieldsheer sonic air jacket and mach II pants, both of them are leather and mesh combo. They have leather in the high impact areas, (shoulders, back, elbows, knees, hips and seat) The rest is nylon and titanium mesh threads. They also have armour in all the high impact areas.
They really make it feel like your riding with whatever you wear under them. but you have the extra protection of the leather.
They really make it feel like your riding with whatever you wear under them. but you have the extra protection of the leather.
08-01-2005, 10:39 AM
#6
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Back Marker
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Mississippi
Posts: 123
Re: Keeping cool in the Dog Days of summer
For me it was to get a good tank bag. It holds bottled water very nice. I freeze'm and have ice water all day! 8)
Hydration is the key!....but you all know that.....
Mike
Hydration is the key!....but you all know that.....
Mike
08-01-2005, 11:16 AM
#7
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MotoGP
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Gainesville FLA.
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Re: Keeping cool in the Dog Days of summer
They're a little limited on size they have 30,32,40,42,44. killer protection with lots of air flow. Also check the mach II jacket for leather and mesh.
08-01-2005, 11:18 AM
#8
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MotoGP
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Gainesville FLA.
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Re: Keeping cool in the Dog Days of summer
Sorry the last post didn't go through. www.brocktoncycle.com then fieldsheer link they have the mach II leather and mesh pants for $99 I paid $159 just about 6 months ago.
08-01-2005, 01:44 PM
#9
Junior Member
Squid
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Churchville, NY
Posts: 12
Re: Keeping cool in the Dog Days of summer
Or if you're broke like me...Just wet your t-shirt and put on the mesh jacket. I find that soaking a light-weight white cotton t-shift (like hanes undershirt) and lightly wrapping it around my neck, then zipping the jacket all the way up really works wonders.
Thanks for all the good info above!
Thanks for all the good info above!
06-27-2009, 09:22 AM
#10
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Back Marker
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: San Antonio, Tx.
Posts: 181
Hey guys, I'd like to revisit this thread. Wondering if any new inputs/advice to riding in high temp. 100+. Living in south Texas, it does get a might warm. My 2 cts. I use a hydration system, (camelback). Another trick I've learned, when stopped drinking a cool bottle of H2O, save some to soak the inside of helmet. Air coming thru vents cools the water.
07-07-2009, 04:33 AM
#12
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SuperSport
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Posts: 562
Hey guys, I'd like to revisit this thread. Wondering if any new inputs/advice to riding in high temp. 100+. Living in south Texas, it does get a might warm. My 2 cts. I use a hydration system, (camelback). Another trick I've learned, when stopped drinking a cool bottle of H2O, save some to soak the inside of helmet. Air coming thru vents cools the water.
I tried using a Camelback a few years ago but I thought that it in itself was hot to wear. I was riding cross country and I was down in your neck of the woods, taking ATGATT seriously. Even with mesh gear I was sweaty as hell. If I were to do it again I'd give myself some leeway.
07-07-2009, 08:53 AM
#13
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MotoGP
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 3,132
Here in Phx what I do is soak my T-Shirt with water and wear that under my Joe Rocket Phoenix 2 jacket. That will keep me cool till Wickenberg and from there I will be fine up into the mountains. Then for the ride home, I stop in Wickenberg again and resoak my shirt so as to make it home.
09-10-2009, 07:46 AM
#14
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SuperBike
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: thorold ontario
Posts: 1,978
i cant imagine soaking a t shirt and wearing it under the jacket would be overly comfortable. probably similar to riding in wet pants. i hate putting on a jacket when my t shirts damp from sweat. all the power to the guys who do. we had a couple of real hot days and we just took regular breaks from riding to hydrate. i think our summer is about finish but for next year ill wear my camal back. forgot i had it. beats having to lift the seat everytime i want a bottle of water.
01-27-2010, 08:36 PM
#17
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SuperBike
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: thorold ontario
Posts: 1,978
that works good too. although now from the looks of it with the one piece gixxer tail i wont have the underseat storage option available to me so ill have to either use a small tank bag or make sure i bring my pack with me. and i managed to get a mesh jacket from a buddy for free so i welcome the hottest of hot days
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