Soak Everything: When traveling in hot weather, use evaporative cooling. Soak your T-shirt, helmet liner, head-everything. Use these methods and you'll find yourself shivering on a 100-degree day.
Ice: Place ice in your jacket's interior pockets for effective evaporative cooling. For a somewhat slower cooling effect, use blue gel ice packs or ice in perforated plastic baggies. The more holes in the bags, the faster the ice water leaks out (and the faster it melts).
Wet Bandana: A wet bandana around the neck will do wonders for lowering your body temperature. Anything cold touching the carotid artery in the neck has a supercooling effect, as it directly chills the blood going to the brain. A bandana will dry out fairly quickly, however, so consider using one of the gel/crystal tube ties available at many outdoor sport shops.
Water Mister: Pressurized water misters are cheap and easy to carry. Throw one in your tank bag and use it at stops for quick, easy cooling on the face and neck.
Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen to any exposed skin. You wouldn't go to the beach for eight hours without sun protection-why try it on your ride?
Wear Shorts: Under your gear, that is. Wear shorts underneath your full riding gear for a quick cool-down at stops. This is best used in conjunction with nonleather zip-off suits that can be quickly removed during short rests.
Stay hydrated: Long hauls in hot weather can easily lead to dehydration, which will in time inhibit your ability to properly ride a motorcycle. Carry a water bottle with you at all times, or wear a backpack drinking system for on-road resupply. These systems have been worn by racers and street riders alike with tremendous success. If you prefer not to wear a drinking system, fasten one to the front of your tankbag for easy access.
Remember: Drink, drink, drink (but not alcohol). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the past two decades more people have died from extreme heat than from hurricanes, lightning, tornadoes and earthquakes combined. Heat exhaustion can set in very quickly and is the result of excessive heat and dehydration. Its symptoms range from dizziness, headaches and weakness to nausea and fainting. Sweat is your body's main method of dissipating heat; as you become dehydrated you won't sweat as much and your body will not be able to cool itself. To help reduce the risk of dehydration in hot conditions, make sure to drink at least 16 to 32 ounces of cool fluids per hour. Stay hydrated, stay healthy.
Wet Weather
Traveling in the rain can be one of the most enjoyable experiences on two wheels. There's no better feeling than flicking along a country road during a summer thunderstorm as the water beads on your face shield...unless it slides off the chin bar and drips down your neck. In order to stay warm and comfortable you have to stay dry, all easily accomplished with a little thought and preparation.
Beyond the Basics: What Else to WearUndergarments: For traveling in cold, wet conditions, avoid wearing cotton undergarments. Cotton offers no insulation once wet and does not wick moisture away from the skin-it gets soggy and cold. Here again, opt for quality. Moisture-wicking long underwear can be found at a variety of active-wear retailers and is a much better alternative to cotton.
Jacket and Pants: Don't forget that all the basic protective gear is needed underneath a plastic or vinyl rainsuit, which will offer no protection in the event of a crash.
Rainsuit: While some off-the-shelf riding suits are waterproof, we like the versatility and weather protection offered by a purpose-built rainsuit. They are relatively inexpensive and there are a myriad of one and two-piece designs available starting from $29 all the way to $150. We have found that two-piece rainsuits offer the best compromise, as they're easier to get into than one-piece outfits and offer the option of wearing only the jacket for light rain showers.