Riding my FJR when it's 107 outside

[BGH60]

I to am bless/cursed with living in South Texas. In South Texas it's not just the heat but the humidity. I feel guility about it but ATTGATT goes out the door in the summer. It is impossible to enjoy a ride will full gear on no matter how much mesh it contains. I wear jeans, boots, long sleeve shirt and 1/2 helmet with sunglasses. I ride with a lot of cruiser guys so I am still over dressed compared to them but at least I keep my head covered. Either that or just look at my baby as she sets in the garage all summer.

BGH60

 

[BwanaDik]

The other way to go is to consult with a Sahara Arab (an Algerian). There is a reason for the long robes and a turbans that cover every inch of the skin during long slow treks across the desert sands (it is the human body temp which is 98.6 F). If you don't exceed that temp, then your blood won't boil/dehydrate (as fast) = insulate. Sometimes I wear a body armor shirt like a Bohn, then put on the thickest, bulkiest whit sweatshirt that I can muster, but not until it is completely drenched to the dripping point with a water hose. then back on the bike.
Remember, when the sun is beating down light colored garments are your friend, black is the enemy.

..Just my CO2

Exactly right. BTDT still know a few of my friends there. Also look at the road construction crews building freeways in the summer in the Southwest, not a square inch of skin to be seen. Here in NW New Mexico the last couple of weeks, I've been wearing my full 'Stitch on my way back and forth to work. Praise it every afternoon when the sun is beating down on my fore arms.

Good idea about the helmet in the ice

 

[Meltdown]

This is the only product I've found so far that will make the FL heat at least tolerable.:

https://www.coolvest.com/

 

[Silver Penguin]

Just got back to the pleasant temps of So Cal after a trip to Utah, where the temp got as high as 110 degrees. We're not used to that at all. I wasn't riding my Gen 1, which does run hot. (Actually had first degree burns on my legs, from the tank, through riding pants).

We both wore mesh gear, and hydration packs. I learned to fill my pack with ice then top off with water. Frequent stops to rest, in the shade.

Normally, I like to lift my visor and feel some air moving but not in that kind of temperature.

It was amazing to see the number of riders on the road who were not wearing any kind of protective gear. They were riding in tank top, shorts and flip flops. I do appreciate the fact that we all make our own decisions, but how on earth could they be comfortable like that?

After checking into our motel and showering, we were very reluctant to go outside at all, even to walk to a restaurant.

 

[Texan]

When it's hotter than body temperature (98 degrees or so) it is hard for your body to cool itself. Evaporative cooling works to a point if you have dry air flowing over your skin. If the humidity is high, like summers in the South and East, fugedaboudit. The Evapodana and cooling vest only make you feel wet and hot. In fact, in high humidity and temps above 98, more aire flow only makes you hotter. As mentioned above, time to zip up, pack your jacket pockets with ice, or find a nice cool place to chill-out. Sometimes it smart to take the car.
pete

This is my experience exactly. Hot wind is still hot. You wouldn't blow a hair dryer on your face to cool off. In central Texas, I leave my bike in the garage between noon and 6pm in July and August. The other 10 months of the year are perfect.

 

[na1g]

I'd like to hear from anyone with experience with the Coolvest mentioned in post #22 by NovaPhoenix. It's a pricey piece of gear but could extend riding days and even save a life. So, anyone? Bueller?

pete

(Hey, it's 95 today in Massachusetts! Must be that global warming thing.)

 

[FJRGuy]

Oh just suck it up! At least you have an option to ride!

At way below freezing for much of the year, I just sweat through the blow dryer effect when it gets hot!

That said... I'm picking up a light colored Mesh Jacket and a cooling vest for 3Flags in Sept.

Oh... and OP, be thankful you're not on one of those inferior Gen I machines!

 

[AVGeek]

While I haven't used the coolvest posted above, I have the Tech-Niche version I bought at Cycle Gear. I commuted year round in Vegas for the last three years, and am now in Phoenix. Its the one piece of gear I refuse to ride without in the summer months. I also use a wet bandanna under my helmet, along with another cooling gel bandanna around my neck. The trick is to stay hydrated and stop frequently when on a long ride to re-charge the vest (I did the long route from Vegas to Phoenix last year, 500 miles via Flagstaff, Sedona, Jerome, etc, in August).

 

[Warpdrv]

I gotta hand it to you guys.... I am pussy on this this end of the scale.... Hell, I could ride well into the 20's and do 30's without the blink of an eye, but I really treasure my nuts and tucked nice and close to the already hot tank - I just have to pass on the over 90's and humid as hell temps around here....

 

[blueman]

107, that is spring time weather in Havasu. But its a dry heat. I can remember riding when it was 120 plus one time. God that was stupid. When I ride down the highway normally the water temp reads a cool two bars. That day it was always at three bars the whole time. It felt like a jet engine blasting me in the face. All I could think of doing was hauling ass home and jumping in the pool which I did. At the age of 50 I only ride when its nice. In the summer thats night time.

 

[DaveD]

Riding home on the Massachusetts Turnpike tonight at 6pm, outside air temp registered 104! As long as I was moving, I was fine. When I stopped for a minute, it got a bit steamy/roast-y. It doesn't get much hotter than that in these parts, so I guess (hope?) I've seen the worst for a while.

 

[FiveG]

When it's that hot I'd rather drive in my air conditioned car, no reason to be that miserable bike or not.

Given the 102 and humid here in CT right now, I concur 100%. I'll let my mount rest for a few days.

 

[Patriot]

I'd like to hear from anyone with experience with the Coolvest mentioned in post #22 by NovaPhoenix. It's a pricey piece of gear but could extend riding days and even save a life. So, anyone? Bueller?
pete

(Hey, it's 95 today in Massachusetts! Must be that global warming thing.)

https://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/CoolAndHeat.html

I've tried 3 "fiber or polymer" vests over the years (techniche, silver something, joe rocket safari) and all were OK when new, but lost their ability to hold moisture after a year or two. They also only lasted a few hours until needing re-wetting.

I then went with the crystal technology. Miracool pull over was OK, looked real funny wearing it, and lost it's effectiveness after a year. I later learned I had tried to re-moisten it too often and immersed it too long and the crystals can actually swell so much and for so long that they migrate through the fabric.

https://www.coloradocoolwear.com/

I am now a fan of the Colorado Cooling vest made by a mom and pop couple. It lasts over 8 hours and even in the high humidity triple digit heat of south Looziana, it allows me to keep riding when nothing else did. Talking to the owner on the phone, he advised only immersing it for a max of ten minutes at the beginning of the day and never placing it or storing it in any kind of sealed container or bag. It can be stored in a hard bag, trunk, or tank bag until needed. It also can be quickly dipped in water to soak the fabric for a short time of additional cooling. I happen to pour water on my mesh jacket and cooling vest as needed to kick in additional cooling effect.

 

[bvail]

I'd like to hear from anyone with experience with the Coolvest mentioned in post #22 by NovaPhoenix. It's a pricey piece of gear but could extend riding days and even save a life. So, anyone? Bueller?
pete

(Hey, it's 95 today in Massachusetts! Must be that global warming thing.)

https://www.calsci.com/motorcycleinfo/CoolAndHeat.html

I've tried 3 "fiber or polymer" vests over the years (techniche, silver something, joe rocket safari) and all were OK when new, but lost their ability to hold moisture after a year or two. They also only lasted a few hours until needing re-wetting.

I then went with the crystal technology. Miracool pull over was OK, looked real funny wearing it, and lost it's effectiveness after a year. I later learned I had tried to re-moisten it too often and immersed it too long and the crystals can actually swell so much and for so long that they migrate through the fabric.

https://www.coloradocoolwear.com/

I am now a fan of the Colorado Cooling vest made by a mom and pop couple. It lasts over 8 hours and even in the high humidity triple digit heat of south Looziana, it allows me to keep riding when nothing else did. Talking to the owner on the phone, he advised only immersing it for a max of ten minutes at the beginning of the day and never placing it or storing it in any kind of sealed container or bag. It can be stored in a hard bag, trunk, or tank bag until needed. It also can be quickly dipped in water to soak the fabric for a short time of additional cooling. I happen to pour water on my mesh jacket and cooling vest as needed to kick in additional cooling effect.

Clicked on the website coloradocoolwear.com above out of curiosity, but there was a message that they were closed due to some family issues Too bad. I have used cooling vests over the years and they do help a lot.

Couple of years back after the WFO in Reno, I decided to go back home to Denver via US50 across Nevada. That was a real hot one on my 03 FJR, but an interesting ride nonetheless. Sidi On-Road boots, 1st Gear Kili Air suit, wet vest and full face helmet kept me going, but by the time I stopped in Utah (625 miles) I was pretty well trashed.

Did a USA 4 Corners tour (12,700 miles) and the very worst leg was after I finished and was on my way home from San Ysidro, CA. Went straight line across the Mojave on my GL1800. Stopped in Baker CA and the 'worlds tallest thermometer' told me it was a balmy 111F. The only shade in about 100 miles was the canapy over the gas pumps. After fueling I stood under the canapy with full riding gear (Sidis, Cycleport Kevlar Air Mesh suit, etc.) I was dragging a trailer which had a cooler on the tongue with ice water. I dropped my cooling vest in the water and just stood there for a while. Fella in an RV pulled up behind me and asked if I would pull out so he could fuel. Told him that he would have to wait a while or move to the next pump. That was probably the high point of the day, as the temperature continued to climb to a high of 113F. It was so hot that when I would open my face shield, I would immediately slap it back shut. Los Vegas was a real joy at 111F. I finally stopped at Cedar City UT that evening and got a room - no camping for me - I was totally trashed. Even though I consumed lots of liquids, mostly h2o, but also Gatoraid, when I checked into the room, I was pissing brown - not a good sign at all.

So I've just about had it with the hot wx riding. Heat tolerance is way down at 66 years old. Bikes are mostly garage queens this summer. Gotta go now, since it's supposed to hit 100 today and I will be doing yardwork :dribble:

BTW, Silver Eagle Outfitters has a nice cooling vest under a hundred bucks, for anyone looking for that kind of gear. I have an Olympia Airglyde III on order - hear they are pretty good mesh jackets. Mine will be the awesome Hi-Viz yellow/green...

 

[pawtracks]

I'd like to hear from anyone with experience with the Coolvest mentioned in post #22 by NovaPhoenix. It's a pricey piece of gear but could extend riding days and even save a life. So, anyone? Bueller?
pete

(Hey, it's 95 today in Massachusetts! Must be that global warming thing.)

I don't have a Coolvest but I believe mine is the same technology https://www.texascoolvest.com/

It works great for me, I used it quite often when I lived in San Diego and headed to areas in the range of 105-125F

When stopping for gas every ~200 miles I would just soak the packs in ice for about 15 minutes while I sit in the shade and drink ~gallon or two of water to recharge.

I found the vest to be effective for ~2hrs.

It's not cheap but well worth it to me for comfort, safety, piece of mind, etc...

 

[blueman]

Its 121 today in Havasu. The Low was 97. I went to fire my bike up early this morning. Within 10 seconds I saw the first bar on the water temp gauge. Its pool time man!

 

[FJRBluesman]

I only ride in temps between 68º and 78º. Cuts down on the cost of riding gear and oil viscocities, ya know.

 

[COLDCUT]

I took a nice ride today in central TX this morning. It was in the mid 80's with cloud cover. But down here when its 100, it feels like 110 with he heat index. when its that hot I lose the jacket and wear jeans and a T'shirt. Hospitals are airconditioned

I was under the impression that planet Melmac was in the high 100's most of the year, let alone during the month of Twangle.

 

[64Y80]

I just did a trip down to the Smokie Mountain National Park, the thermometer on the bike stayed between 97 and 102 for most of the trip. I wore blue jeans and ended up burning my left leg just above the boot line. Got a blister about 2" by 1" which has now scabed over. The Gen II may be better at heat management, but it could still use some improvement. I am now looking for some sort of riding pant that will help protect me from this happening again. Winter is too long up here in Michigan to also surrender half the summer because it's too hot.

 

[stew71]

Thank God our NorCal heat is a dry heat. I've ridden in 105+ many times and it wasn't too unbearable just as long as I stayed hydrated and covered every inch of skin. Keeping the windscreen down and my visor up also helps some. But was it enjoyable? Hell no. Especially on the commute home...in traffic. How those knuckleheads in T-shirts and shorts stand it is beyond me.

But you guys down South....I feel for ya. I've spent time in SE Asia and SE USA in the dead of August and that humidity sucks ass water.