Extreme Heat---what gear do you use?

Artisan · Post by **Artisan** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 4:04 pm

Right now here in AZ it's getting into the 100+ heat indexes. The human brain according to the scientific folks starts going into overload at 104. And it can easily get up to 120 mid summer. Even at midnight it can be around 95-100.
Well needless to say lots of gear does not sound very attractive at this point even with coolers. I guess all the gear would act like a sweat box and help me to lose weight LOL!
Helmet a must plus gloves but how does everyone else deal with it but still stay safe? I'm ready to contact my Ren Faire friends to see if chain mail would work. Heavy but open links would at least let air flow through.

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 4:12 pm

Shorts, t-shirt, mesh jacket, mesh pants, mesh gloves with leather palms and armored knucks, ff helmet, hard toe over ankle leather shoes/boots Temps here at least in 90's with high, high humidity. Love it!

Dennis

twoscoots · Post by **twoscoots** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 5:09 pm

Unless you've got a gajillion dollars for stainless steel mail, you're going to wind up covered with teeny orange circles.
I'd invest in a Camelbak if I were you, to replace all the fluids you'll lose while you're sweating. The wind chill from riding will probably help keep you from overheating, provided you stay well-hydrated.

AmyNTX · Post by **AmyNTX** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 5:14 pm

If you have a Costco by where you live..they have the knock off of the "camelback" thing..and its only 19.99! My husband uses one for work..he works for the Gas company and walks around alot in the heat..it works great!!!

Piedmont · Post by **Piedmont** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 5:46 pm

I recommend the Platypus system over Camelbacks any day. Platy's are all interchangable and come in a lot of sizes. And while it may seem trivial, their cap size is the same as a 2 liter's. Plus if you do any camping, they can be boiled (hot water bottles are great in cold weather, or after a long hike.)

illnoise · Post by **illnoise** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 7:09 pm

Tie a wet bandana around your neck to prevent sunburn and cool you down. They make those special bandanas with some sort of water-retaining mulch inside, those are handy. Sometimes you can even find one that doesn't have flames or eagles on it.

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 7:36 pm

illnoise wrote: Sometimes you can even find one that doesn't have flames or eagles on it.

That is so true! I have a camoflauge one...
it was either that, flames, eagles, or rebel flag...

Apiarist · Post by **Apiarist** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:25 pm

or rebel flag...

the south will rise again!

Apiarist · Post by **Apiarist** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:26 pm

or rebel flag...

the south will rise again!

Post by **ericalm** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 8:29 pm

There's something called a core cooler "personal radiator" that a lot of people who do touring, offroad, etc. use. Check one out here.

ryder1 · Post by **ryder1** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 9:34 pm

If someone has one of those personal radiators over the shoulder that eric posted, would you do a "Review" of it. Thanx

KRUSTYburger · Post by **KRUSTYburger** » Tue Jun 03, 2008 11:06 pm

ryder1 wrote:If someone has one of those personal radiators over the shoulder that eric posted, would you do a "Review" of it. Thanx

I'd like to know too... seems like having that black pad over your neck/shoulders would cancel out any of the cooling effects.

Post by **ericalm** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 12:04 am

KRUSTYburger wrote:
ryder1 wrote:If someone has one of those personal radiators over the shoulder that eric posted, would you do a "Review" of it. Thanx
I'd like to know too... seems like having that black pad over your neck/shoulders would cancel out any of the cooling effects.

Here's a brief user review. I couldn't find any others of this one.

Webbikeworld has links to some reviews of cooling vests here.

ryder1 · Post by **ryder1** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 12:22 am

krusty, they come in four colors not just black.

Artisan · Post by **Artisan** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 1:29 am

Thanks,
Went to Helmet Harbour today to check out their gear. Real nice folks annd very helpful. They have a great website. My head is real oval and I wear glasses so I knew getting a good helmet was going to be a challenge. They had a great scorpion half helmet with almost the same coverage as a 3/4. The cool thing was that the goggles drop down OUT of the hemet.

but the 3/4 I bought had more cheek protection and with the debri kicked up by work trucks in my area I wanted a full shield. All the full I tried on did not fit quite right and after a while actually started hurting. Too large or too small and too loose or tight . And they had tons of helmets. Spent several hours there.They even had a cooler full of free soft drinks and water next to a comfortable bench. Gave me an extra 10% off for my going to attend a motorcycle class.

They had a good, inexpensive summer mesh armour with a zip out heavy liner for the winter months. As for the shoulder coolers (the same company as the one posted)they returned the ones they had as they did not work out. It seemed that the company needed to rework the design.They expect the new style to come in from the company in the next few weeks.

So I have the class appointment,gear and I go to the only scooter shop in the area with buddies to order mine and since last Thursday they sold out every one of their 125 !

And they had a lot! Only one coming in two months from now and the next order (for 2!) in Sept! I asked them if they were going to shut down for the summer for lack of stock! They were ready to cry also. Three buddys up north (cream,pink,orange)when I called before their shop closed. I've got a u-Haul trailer and I'm making the long drive tomorrow to be at their door first thing. Wish me luck!

ryder1 · Post by **ryder1** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 1:43 am

Luck, and more luck to you for picking up your Buddy tomorrow.

You snooze, you loose

Hope they have one that you like and you'll be riding soon.

soupergrrl · Post by **soupergrrl** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 3:09 am

Artisan -

Living in Texas, I can sympathize with you on the extreme heat. I bought a mesh jacket with zipout liner by Fieldsheer. It cost me about $95 and I love it. I have plenty of pockets and room. It has armor, but it is not the hard plastic. It is more of the memory foam type.

The important thing is keeping your moisture on your body. If it is uncovered, your sweat will evaporate and leave you hot. I also will agree with the idea of the cool rags. They will help out as well.

Syd · Post by **Syd** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 6:45 am

Artisan wrote:Right now here in AZ it's getting into the 100+ heat indexes. The human brain according to the scientific folks starts going into overload at 104...

Helmet a must plus gloves but how does everyone else deal with it but still stay safe?

ericalm wrote:There's something called a core cooler "personal radiator" that a lot of people who do touring, offroad, etc. use. Check one out here.

ryder1 wrote:If someone has one of those personal radiators over the shoulder that eric posted, would you do a "Review" of it. Thanx

I just ordered one the other day, and I live in the Valley of the Sun too, Artisan I'll let you all know what I think after it arrives.

Artisan wrote:As for the shoulder coolers (the same company as the one posted)they returned the ones they had as they did not work out.

That would be too bad. Oh well, time will tell. If it doesn't, I guess I've spent more on less!

DennisD · Post by **DennisD** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 11:40 am

ryder1 wrote:krusty, they come in four colors not just black.

Another opportunity for some of your custom work.

Dennis

kilted texan · Post by **kilted texan** » Wed Jun 04, 2008 10:06 pm

If anyone is a youth check out 661 website. The yellow is available on clearance.

I also emailed them about future stock of the core cooler & a possible bulk discount.

jim_0068 · Post by **jim_0068** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 4:35 am

http://www.newenough.com/closeouts/mesh ... acket.html

kilted texan · Post by **kilted texan** » Thu Jun 05, 2008 2:07 pm

OK got an update. The Core Cooler by 661 is being discontinued & they will not be carrying it any longer.

I asked who the vendor was so I could contact them to find out who else would be carrying them in their line, but no response yet.