I'm keeping off the bike until the temp drops below 25c or I go away for a 2 week tour beginning of Sep. Way too hot to ride now, even with merino base layer, jacket vents open and riding jeans.
I don't drink alcohol much these days I try but can't even finish a 330ml bottle of Budweiser these days, I open a bottle on occasion take a few swigs then leave it to go flat.
More money is the answer. Hocked me cahoobles and bought Rukka forceair jacket and trous. Polyester base layer of some sort and not bad ,bearable in this weather as long as you don’t stop. Wind goes right through jacket. Bloody great. Have a look at the Moto legends videos.
We have had high 30s here for two months. Wearing the correct base layers helps. I never wear a cotton t shirt now, they are far too hot. Handguards removed. Vented short gloves. Knee length base layer shorts under Rokker jeans. A helmet with good vents. Jacket with vents (not tight fitting) I went down to Tarn Gorge last year on maybe the hottest two days of the year here. Confirmed 42 degrees on the way back. A 300 mile return leg and had to stop only twenty minutes from the house. I had the first heat stroke indicators..above 35 degrees I leave the bike in the garage.
I agree about wearing a thin base layer, it wicks sweat away from your skin. I recently bought a Klim Marrakesh jacket. Motolegends let me try this and the Rukka Forceair back to back on a test ride on a very hot day. The Forceair is a bit cooler (but not by much), but it's thin and not very structured, looks a bit like a baggy shirt The Klim is a more solid construction and feels like it would protect you a bit more in a crash, also comes with a back protector. My only issue is the sleeves are a bit long and baggy. I chose this as I thought in the long run it would better for a longer tour with a Scott Ergo waterproof over the top.
Couldn't watch mutch of that - kept laughing 'cos the 'model' made me think of Neil in the Young Ones
I went for a ride to pick up some machining for my little '74 250 Desmo a couple of days ago, had my daughter with me so rode the '79 900SS Endurance race spec "Old Nail". It was so hot that it was just helmet, short gloves, leather jackets, T shirt, jeans, boxers and bike boots, I didn't bother with a neckerchief that I usually wear to keep the bugs from my neck and going down the front of the jacket. Today I nursing the biggest lump on my throat from being stung by something...BOLLOX! Steve R
I got frostbite on my fingers at 32degrees C. Mind you, I was doing 186 mph. There is your solution. Just make sure your gloves are thick winter ones
Morning commute at 6.00 is typically 32-33°C 70% of the year, afternoons going home 36-37°C. Don't know what you lot are complaining about... Seriously though, you needed a good, thin wicking be base layer and good textile/mesh gear. It's bearable as long as you don't go below about 20 km/h. Less than that and you are toast. Gloves are my biggest problem. I hate the feel of textile gloves, but leather is warm and gets really ickey with all the sweat
I'll have to admit (and I may be criticised for it) but for proper motorcycling, there is a definite sweet spot for temperature. So too hot or indeed too cold, means it's just not fun. I've never found kit that makes it better, meaning I personally just give it's a miss it it's too hot or too cold..... There is a reason in Spain they all bomb around on scooters in flip flops and shorts.
So true. Either side of both temp extremes are the doable zones, which varies from one person to another. "I want to ride" , "I want to wear protective gear" & "I don't want to be hot" are all part of a compromise.
For ventilation in the heat, plus protection, the new Rev'It MAX AIR suit could be in order Rev'It debuts new airbag suit technology
Well... each to their own taste! Call me old fashioned but when its so hot I need to wear that, I think I'll go for a swim instead...
Bought a Marrakesh jacket a couple of weeks ago from Motolegends. Ordered large and it was huge all over (American large obviously... ) Returned it for a medium that that fits really well, including the arms. Also bought the Marrakesh gloves but from SportsBikeShop as Motolegends don't stock them. Tried these during the heatwave on a couple of rides and it all works very well combined with my Rokkertech jeans and TCX shortie boots. Only concern is shin protection and possibly ankle support in the event of an off. A risk, quite frankly, for the comfort I'm willing to take. In slow stationary traffic you start to heat up, for riding in larger congested cities it doesn't really work as it does need airflow. However, on the open road it's perfect. It's my new favourite piece of motorcycling apparel. Felt a bit guilty as I had a 10% discount due to my Motolegends loyalty card but then, within the 14 day limit, saw the same jacket in Helmet City in Cheltenham for £359.95. Motolegends, good to their 'never knowingly undersold' promise refunded me the difference plus 10%. All bought for my trip to Corsica next month... though now that's in serious jeopardy of being canned until next year
Well after my moans, I had another go yesterday! The temperature was a bit lower, and a nice breeze, so decided to set out for North Wales (in easy reach for me). This time I went with the good old leather jacket. My LJ is a tad on the big time, with the intention that a thickish fleece or whatever would comfortably fit under it. Which means, when just worn with a tee shirt, it feels quite loose, and there plenty of air circulation. I ummed and ahed about wearing a base-layer type tee, but opted for an ordinary cotton one in the end, And net result:all good! Got back home just after a lovely trip, which was as comfortable as a 748 can be. Not even any wet patches on my tee. Just how lovely is North/Mid Wales? I knew the bottom end of the A470 when I lived in Wiltshire, but the top end... The roads around Blaenau Ffestiniog and Betws-y-Coed in particular are just stunning. And well surfaced generally too, a rarity these days! The 748 is still purring, I kept a close eye on the temp gauge, but no issues there; it was pleasing to see that after going through a town, as soon as I go back to the open road, the needle obligingly returned to twelve o'clock. I reckon the expensive alloy coolant tank does its bit there by acting as a heat sink too. And allows for a little more confidence that you won't get stranded; the last genuine Ducati plastic jobbie I had fitted didn't even last a twelve-month. And it still does 150 miles on a tankful when on a run. So as far as kit is concerned, my suspicion that the LJ would be a better bet than the 'summer' jacket seems correct. For the relatively cool climate of Lancashire, I think that will do me, and, as other posters have said, if it's too hot for that, it's too hot for bikes! Especially as I've just bought a soft-top car!
I can highly recommend a Knox armoured "shirt" - essentially a mesh jacket you wear under the outer jacket, or on it's own if it's hot. I only tend to wear it on its own if it's 25 degrees or more, as it's too breezy once you get going. The beauty of it is you can wear it under any casual jacket. https://www.planet-knox.com/product/mens-zephyr-pro/
