Summer Riding 101: Precautions To Take This Season

With the scorching heat upon us right now, many would understandably want to stay indoor and fiddle with their AC remote controls. But if you’re someone who can’t spend another weekend confined in your house and want to take your bike to greener or cooler pastures, here’re some helpful tips and tricks to make your trip worthwhile.

1) Hydrate!

The last you want is running out of water on a hot summer's day in the middle of nowhere. Not only can it be inconvenient, it can also seriously affect your health. Dehydration sets in a lot quicker than you expect and can be life-threatening if not attended to soon. Dizziness, nausea, fatigue, headache, confusion, and dark urine are just some of the symptoms of dehydration.

The problem is, by the time one of these symptoms becomes evident, it’s already too late. Our tip is to invest in a good quality hydro back, which can hold at least 1.5 litres of water. Remember to replenish it whenever you get the chance. Else, carry a big water bottle with you, or ten.

2) Cover Up

We know riding with full gear on a sweaty day can be extremely annoying, but exposing your skin to the sun for prolonged periods will not only leave you with sunburns but will also accelerate dehydration. Not to mention, a full riding gear will save you from any mishaps.

Textile and mesh jackets with good ventilation and protection would be your best bet, however, make sure that the jacket has inlet and outlet vents to maintain cross ventilation. In extreme cases, wear cooling vests and a set of Ventz up your sleeves to keep your body cool.

3) Take A Break

Every motorcycle rider wants to crunch as many miles as fast as possible. But things are different in summers. Avoid riding when the sun is directly above you. If you have a longer distance to cover, start early and ride as sparsely as possible between the peak heat hours.

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Also, remember to take breaks every now and then. Break your journey into 100km stretches or so. Take some time to cool down and let your bike do the same.

4) DON'T splash your bike with water when the engines or pipes are hot

There is a big misconception in the biking community that splashing water on a hot motorcycle will help bring down its temperature. However, that is obviously NOT the case. Hot metal and cold water aren't the best of friends.

Basic physics tells that metal expands when it’s heated and then goes back to its original dimensions when it gradually cools down. Exposing it to sudden temperature can lead to damage of metal parts. So the next time your bike heats up in the heat, give it some time to cool down before you grab that bucket.

5) Check Tyre Pressure

As mentioned earlier, checking and maintaining your tyre pressure before every ride is of utmost importance. Also, check for tyre wear and cracks - if they aren’t in the best condition, it’s best advised to replace them. That way, you have some good rubber to grip the tarmac with and last you the whole season.