Change Of Gear To Minimise Heat Of Sun?

If you're 23 and ride a sport bike. Or 80 and ride a Gold Wing.

 

Being from Arizona and riding all through the summer, this question is right up my alley. Lots of great responses here but one thing I'd add is to consider a cooling vest such as this one. You soak it, squeeze it out, then wear it under a mesh jacket.

We have something in Arizona used to cool homes that we fondly call "swamp coolers". A cooling vest works on the same principal. Air flows over the vest as you ride and serves to cool the wearer. I do have to say, however, that when you stop at a stop light it's pretty toasty. Best for out-of-the-city rides. But it does work! And I've found that my vest stays damp enough under my textile riding jacket to be effective for about an hour or so. And that's in very low humidity conditions. At that point I'm ready for a break to get a drink, pee, gas up, etc. anyway and can wet my vest again. I have a friend who has two vests so he can swap as needed--he keeps one that's wet in a plastic bag in one of his saddlebags.

https://www.motorcyclistonline.com/cooling-vests-for-hot-weather-riding/

 

All right, @Thripster. But no whining next time you’re overheated on your bike as I did give you an option. Besides, no one can see the vest underneath your mesh jacket.

 

As it was Tailored for a fit & slim 23yr old , this bulky 58yr old can't get into it ...



My wife has one too , but she has given it to our eldest granddaughter , so I can't post a picture of it , it had slightly different frontal zip, it was double breasted.

cheers capt

 

I do similar here in Western Australia , as @Sandi T. Says work's really well when you are mobile at hwy speeds , takes moments to re apply water , done many a long days riding in moderate comfort

 

White leathers? NOOOOOOOO !! Although I must admit that when I see riders turn up in white gear, (and boots), I tend to think to myself, they must be a really good rider to have the front to wear white leathers!
For myself, I have a set of Triumph, (Alpinestars), two-piece leathers that have fabric panels under the arms which helps in the heat but I always wear a set of Merino wool thermals as they keep you warm when it's cold and wick away the sweat when it's hot. I always said I wouldn't wear leathers with matching branding to the bike but these were such a bloody bargain that I couldn't turn them down! They're bloody good too.

 

Oxford CoolDry base layer under leathers works really well.

 

Anyone tried a mesh thong? For all you black lovers.

 

Well I always wear the highest quality Kevlar vest & budgie smugglers in this weather!

@dilligaf prefers the look below ...

 

Only when I’m on holiday

 

Or Furloughed

 

Shhhh

 

I ride the Texas backroads and we nudge triple digit temps from mid May to October. When it gets really hot it does not matter what color you wear as you are breathing in fire.

I wear black but I use Knox gear (British i believe). I recently purchased a Know Urban Pro shirt that works for me. Body armor in the right places and Kevlar impregnated mesh all over. I wear a t-shirt over it and get really good airflow.