hat for hot weather

[geraldlanc]

I got my trike (08 GW MotorTrike) last November and have no experience riding in warm/hot weather. I have an HJC full face helmet that I really like in the cool weather, but am wondering if I should get something else to use in the hot weather that is coming. I will be making a trip from central Texas to Colorado in July - back in August. Those of you that travel in hot weather, how far can you travel before the heat becomes a problem and you start looking for a motel?

Gerald

[rmrc51]

It'll be interesting to see how others respond to the OP's question.

I have a very low tolerance for the hot weather! I use a white Scorpion 3/4 helmet and it's hot a hell in the summer.

I actually ride more during the winter than in the summer season.

[Memnoch451]

Last summer it was 126 in AZ while I had my wife on the back of the trike... she almost passed out not 50 mile from the Resort we were staying at. I was fine in the heat and love hot and super hot weather... my wife not so much! If it's hot out and you really don't have to be any where... What's the rush? Just drive till you have had enough and stop for the day... Leave early in the am 3am or so and stop at 2pm... works for me!

If you're looking for a miles... i like to go by gas tanks to get there or perday...

let's say with out the with.. hell i'll go 800 or more..with the wife...350 or 400..maybe 500 miles before..she's bored.

as for a lid... I wear full face..24 / 7 it's a habit from riding and racing.. I can't stand half helmets, beanies or 3/4 helmets no matter what the weather. On a hot day I was hit on a sport bike I owned... helmet was wiped out.. head was fine!

On motorcycles.. safety first.

[Chumbly]

I'm kinda liking the looks of the new Shark helmet...the chin piece can flip around the back "if" you want to go to a 3/4 type helmet. They're just real hard to find it seems.

[msocko3]

I'm kinda liking the looks of the new Shark helmet...the chin piece can flip around the back "if" you want to go to a 3/4 type helmet. They're just real hard to find it seems.

That shark looks like the cats a$$, I came close to buying one. I read some reviews where they said it was a real PIA to install speakers, they had to cut pockets in the foam by the ears. There was another mention of J&M installing one of their systems in one and they had a tough time. I ended up getting a Scorpion EXO 900 with the J&M gear all ready installed. This helmet will allow me to convert it to 3/4 if I want to. For years I've worn 3/4 helmets in the summer and modular in the early spring and fall. Last year seemed like everything wanted to hit me in the face, I got tired of getting smacked by bugs and trash. I took 2 bug strikes that where large and juicy critters that exploded across my face. I was struck in the face by several small stones, just kind of got old.

[FrostBite]

I wear a Fulmer modular and can typically go 14 hours or so. I take longer cool down stops when I stop for gas and watch the hydration.

[Bikerbozo]

When I saw title of Hat for hot weather, I thought you would be discussing what type of 2 beer hat to wear on trike to agrivate the TX police.
I personally prefer a 1/2 helmet most of year. For high heat I will carry a small spray bottle that I can spritze some water on me with. Heat tends to make me drowsy. I do better in cold. I'm also pretty fast ducking bugs coming towards my face...The wife...not so much! She will usually go with a snap on face shield.

[Rev Ray]

In real hot weather we use wet vest & modular helmets,been to Canada & back in July
also all over the west,south,north,some east.Works for us & my little bride is 70 & I am 72.

[Shimpy]

I've read of surveys that showed you got a 60% chance of landing on your chin. My son had an accident where he t-boned a car and him and the bike got airborne. He survived with a broken collar bone, but his full face helmet had a tire tread mark over the chin portion, across the faceshield and forehead. Ever since seeing that I only wear full face(modular).

[Blondie Gal]

Came back from the TrikeTalk rally last July (had spent several days in Western NC and East Tenn), 100*+ all the way. Had a full-face black (Scorpion) helmet - had some kind of heat stroke between Memphis 'n' Little Rock. Barely made it back home - John did a great job of propping me up at rest stops. Drank cups 'n' cups of water as long as it was cold, then poured the rest over me to try to be cool. Not anxious to repeat that this year. Hopin' for milder weather. (Of course, the 34 hours of rain that we went thru going TO Maggie Valley weren't too great, either . . . happy for the full-face in bad weather!!)

[rmrc51]

Came back from the TrikeTalk rally last July (had spent several days in Western NC and East Tenn), 100*+ all the way. Had a full-face black (Scorpion) helmet - had some kind of heat stroke between Memphis 'n' Little Rock. Barely made it back home - John did a great job of propping me up at rest stops. Drank cups 'n' cups of water as long as it was cold, then poured the rest over me to try to be cool. Not anxious to repeat that this year. Hopin' for milder weather. (Of course, the 34 hours of rain that we went thru going TO Maggie Valley weren't too great, either . . . happy for the full-face in bad weather!!)

Reading stories like Blondie's really makes me salute all of you for even trying to put up with that kind of discomfort in order to get out and ride.

If I can't be comfortable, I just don't go out. I have a very low tolerance for the hot weather. When it starts to get above 85, I just leave the trike in the garage. I do most riding in the Fall, Winter & early Spring. I guess I'm just not a 'true' biker, lol. Again, my hats off to all of you who brave the hot weather!!!

[Calman]

I started wearing full face helmets when I first rode in the 70's and on more than one occasion they saved my mug. Dropped off the ride in 82 and returned in '07 and old habits never die---bought a FF helmet. But this time around I got a Daytona with the swing up face for full face exposure (handy at stoplights on a really hot day) or just lift up the face shield. On a cold day, like today's ride, the FF helmet keeps the wind from the bottom of your face. Goes without saying it is great in a heavy rain.

Biggest differenceI've noticed in FF helmets from the 70's and 80's and today's FF helmets are the addition of air vents in chin area and one on top of the helmet.

[msocko3]

Came back from the TrikeTalk rally last July (had spent several days in Western NC and East Tenn), 100*+ all the way. Had a full-face black (Scorpion) helmet - had some kind of heat stroke between Memphis 'n' Little Rock. Barely made it back home - John did a great job of propping me up at rest stops. Drank cups 'n' cups of water as long as it was cold, then poured the rest over me to try to be cool. Not anxious to repeat that this year. Hopin' for milder weather. (Of course, the 34 hours of rain that we went thru going TO Maggie Valley weren't too great, either . . . happy for the full-face in bad weather!!)

Last August my wife became sick from the heat twice, she perked up pretty quick once she drank some Gatoraid. This year I'm packing Gatoraid and water in a cooler, I'm also going to switch to silver helmets instead of the black we have been wearing.

[Gold Rush]

Last August my wife became sick from the heat twice, she perked up pretty quick once she drank some Gatoraid. This year I'm packing Gatoraid and water in a cooler, I'm also going to switch to silver helmets instead of the black we have been wearing.

I don't remember when/where I was told this (might have been during a motorcycle safety course) but I believe Silver is the second hottest helmet color. Has something to do with chemistry I thing....

They aren't the flashiest or prettiest but I stick with white. Have an HJC full face for winter/rain and a matching 3/4 for nice riding weather. Here in West Texas I get very little use of the full face..

Many years ago I almost passed out from heat. Since then I carry several bottles of Power Aid (blue ones) when riding in the heat. They satisfy my need for liquid and also replace electrolytes. Haven't had a repeat event since.

[Blondie Gal]

I'm makin' a list of things to pack for the MV trip today, Jerry - PowerAde or GatorAde goin' to the top of it! (Of course, seven pairs of sneakers are on the list, too!) Guess I can take out the Hot Hands for a while . . .

[msocko3]

I don't remember when/where I was told this (might have been during a motorcycle safety course) but I believe Silver is the second hottest helmet color. Has something to do with chemistry I thing....

I guess I'll find out, I bought a silver helmet to wear instead of the black one I have.

[kwakasix3]

I have 7 helmets,all up. On local runs on hot days I like a shortie helmet. I bought a neoprene mask for poor weather but found that with sunglasses ( yellow in rain) my breath goes straight up the mask and behind the glasses,fogging them. Soon scraped that idea.
Longer runs in warm weather the black open face for a bit better wind protection, mainly the ears.
I find, even with sunscreen on my face gets a lot of wind/sun burn.
In hot weather my wife and I have neck wraps. They have those crystals you put in pot plant mix to keep the soil damp. They are like a neck tie in length. Just put them in water for a 1/2 hour. They swell up and take more than a day to dry out. They don't drip but keep your neck ( & blood to the brain ) cool. Simple idea that works well.
For long runs in summer we both use the neck wraps. I have a flip front white full face & I wife wears a white open face with built in visor ( she feels uncomfortable in a full face ).

[Blondie Gal]

George, your 'hot day' must be a lot different from our 'hot days' - - I've tried the neck wraps, wetting them down at every stop, and none of them stay damp more than 90 minutes or so in our Texas heat!! Even with pouring a cup of water down my back, I'm dry in a half-hour. That's another reason we're waiting till the last minute to see if we will trailer to Maggie Valley or ride again. It's well over a thousand miles and it's hotter'n Hades in late June!! (Or it rains like Noah's Flood - either way, it's an adventure!!)