A Matter of Degrees

Heat or cold is no reason to keep you off the road.

By Marianne Taylor, RiderCoach Trainer, Regional Lead Instructor, Harley-Davidson Rider’s Edge®

How do you react to temperature extremes? When the thermometer dips below 50 degrees, do you leave the bike in the garage, and settle in with the morning paper and a cup of coffee? Or do you bundle up and take to the road?

What about the other end of the spectrum? Does scorching heat tend to turn your routine gas stops into a three-hour tour of the truck stop buffet? Or do you just strip down, drink up, and ride on?

There’s no right answer, of course. It’s always wise to get off the road when you don’t feel comfortable or safe. But with a little preparation and a dose of can-do attitude, there’s no reason you have to stay inside when cold snaps or heat waves cross
paths with your riding plans.

THE FREEZE FACTOR
If you prepare properly, there’s really no reason you can’t enjoy a ride in near-freezing temperatures – or even below freezing if you’re extremely careful. And it all begins with how you dress.

Starting at the top, remember that a full-face helmet is your warmest option, followed by a 3/4 helmet with a full face shield. If you wear a half helmet, one with earflaps is your best option for cold weather.

Working your way down, there are a wide variety of options for keeping your face and neck warm, including facemasks, neck tubes, balaclavas, and more. What works best is largely a matter of personal preference.

For your upper body, dressing in layers is always a good idea. This will help you adjust as things warm up during the day, and cool off in the afternoon and evening. What’s warm and comfortable at 8AM may feel unbearably hot by 2PM. Riding jackets with removable liners are a good option and will help you pack a little lighter. Just make sure the outermost layer is windproof or highly wind resistant. (Tip: Putting on your rain jacket is a quick and easy way to add a windproof top layer.)

For your lower body, leather chaps provide a great deal of protection from the cold. Thermal underwear can help, as well, though it’s far less convenient to remove long underwear at a gas stop than it is to take off chaps. Leather or nylon overpants are another convenient cold-weather option.

One thing to keep in mind is that gear made for motorcycling is … well, made for motorcycling; designed with flaps over zippers and necklines that close up tight to keep the wind out. It’s also designed to be worn in a “riding” position, so is less likely to bunch up behind your knees or tighten behind your shoulders when you mount up and reach for the handlebars.

Gloves are an extremely important part of your riding gear, and many riders carry numerous pairs on their bike at all times to be prepared for a wide variety of conditions. For cold weather, look for gloves that offer warmth without excessive bulk, which may reduce your manual dexterity and increase your reaction time in an emergency situation. Thin thermal liners can also add a layer of warmth without significantly affecting dexterity.

As for your lower extremities, waterproof boots will keep the wind out, and thick, comfortable socks will help keep the warmth in. Again, layer as necessary and wear a synthetic layer closest to your skin to help wick away moisture.

A very effective – yet more costly – option for warming your entire body is electrically heated gear. Because at some point, no matter how many layers you add, you’re still going to be cold. For those who not only want to ride in the cold but also be completely comfortable in the process, heated gear is a good option. Harley-Davidson makes a complete line of heated gear designed for use with Harley-Davidson® motorcycles. When using heated gear, make sure that your bike’s electrical system is functioning properly (and is powerful enough) to avoid draining the battery.

On the Road
Comfort isn’t the only consideration while riding in the cold. When temperatures are near freezing, ice can be a hazard. And just because the bank sign tells you the air temperature is 40 degrees, the road surface temperature could be significantly lower. Be especially careful in shaded areas and spots next to a hill where there might be some water runoff. Bridges and ramps tend to freeze sooner and thaw later than other road surfaces, so use extra caution there, as well.

If you live in an area that uses road salt in the winter, leftover salt on the road can be as dangerous as gravel. And many people recommend that you wait until after a good, cleansing rain before you ride in the spring to wash away the salt that can splash up into nooks and crannies of your bike, and cause corrosion.

KEEPING YOUR COOL
The first thing to remember about riding in the heat is that wearing less clothing does not necessarily keep you cooler. Think of people crossing the desert on camels – you don’t see them wearing shorts and T-shirts, do you? No, they tend to wear long, light-colored (and lightweight) robes. Not just to prevent sunburn but to help prevent dehydration.

Staying hydrated is the most important concern when riding in the heat. That means you’ll actually do better wearing a long-sleeve T-shirt or mesh jacket than just a T-shirt. With short sleeves (or worse, no shirt at all), you’re exposing your skin to the sun and wind – a double whammy that dries you out quickly.

And regardless of how much gear you’re wearing, make sure all your exposed areas are generously slathered with sunscreen.

Long sleeves are a better idea from a safety perspective, as well. Today you can buy lightweight or even mesh jackets with removable body armor to provide good ventilation and outstanding abrasion protection.

The key to staying hydrated is staying hydrated – that is, drinking lots of water. You should be drinking at least eight ounces of water every hour when it’s hot. Probably more. Plain water is usually best, but sports drinks are a good option, too, as they replace electrolytes, as well as fluids.

And drink before you feel thirsty. A good rule of thumb is if you’re not stopping to go to the bathroom, you’re probably not drinking enough. And, not sweating doesn’t necessarily mean you’re not hot. It may well mean you just don’t have any sweat, one of the early symptoms of heat stroke, orhyperpyrexia (elevated core body temperature).

Various manufacturers make hydration packs that strap to your back with a tube that enables you to drink while you ride. Or your Touring model Harley® may even feature a water bottle holder. But it may be a better idea to stop frequently to quench your thirst because it’s especially important to stop and stretch when it’s hot. A heat wave is no time to be setting any endurance records.

Symptoms of dehydration can include cramps (of the abdominal muscles, arms, or legs), weakness, fatigue, poor vision, dizziness, headache, and irritability – to name a few. Symptoms of dehydration-induced heat stroke can also include nausea and vomiting, delirium, shortness of breath, seizures, and even coma. If you start to feel any of these symptoms while riding, pull over as soon as it’s safe, seek out a cool place, and drink plenty of fluids. (It’s always a good idea to carry water or sports drinks on your bike.)

There are, of course, any number of tips available for staying cool, such as soaking a T-shirt or bandana in cold water when you stop, and wearing it while it dries. I’ve even heard of people stuffing ice in their leathers when crossing a desert, such as Death Valley. By and large, these are all good tips. Whatever works for you is cool.

But one thing you want to be careful about is artificially cooling your head. That’s because your head acts as a sort of thermostat. If you fool it into thinking it’s cooler than it really is, it can send the wrong message to the rest of your body, even shutting down your sweat glands.

How you equip your motorcycle can be a comfort factor, as well. Many people prefer to ride without a windshield or fairing in the heat because of the cooling effects of the wind. Just keep in mind, as mentioned earlier, the wind effect is two-fold: it coolsand dries.

ALL-WEATHER TIPS
Another consideration when riding in the heat or cold is to make sure your motorcycle is in good operating condition. A thorough pre-ride inspection becomes especially important. And make sure you’re using the proper grade of engine oil for the conditions. In colder temperatures, for instance, a high-viscosity (thicker) oil may make your motorcycle difficult to start and less efficient once it’s running. In the heat, a low-viscosity (thinner) grade may break down and lose its lubricating abilities at high temperatures.

Remember: Your Harley-Davidson motor-cycle is air-cooled, relying on the movement of air across the engine to maintain the proper temperature. Idling for long periods of time in high temperatures (such as in a traffic jam) can cause your engine oil to break down prematurely and lead to engine damage.

In many cases, however, you may be facing a variety of conditions – such as a ride across the desert and into the mountains. Under those circumstances, ask your dealer to recommend a high-quality H-D® multi-grade oil.

Finally, whether you’re riding in scorching heat or freezing cold, keep in mind that staying cool or warm is not just about staying comfortable – and there’s no pride in “toughing it out.” When you’re too hot or too cold, it affects your concentration. In extreme cases, it may actually affect your cognitive abilities.

But at the very least, being uncomfortable is a distraction. It’s one more thing to think about when you should be thinking about riding as safely as possible. Just like you do when conditions are ideal.