subject: What Motorcycles Should Be Aware Of During Summer [print this page] Summertime is the time when we begin to see motorcycle riders gracing the road. Many times riders can save money on the cost of gasoline by riding their motorcycles. Besides the fun of riding it is a pretty fuel efficient vehicle. Summer is often the ideal time for motorcycle riders to enjoy the open road and have fun.
Many riders forget the damage that summer heat can do in certain areas of the U.S. and especially if they are riding with full gear on and elevated body temperatures.
Unlike cars and trucks that have air conditioning, motorcycle riders forget that they can be subjected to heat related illness because of their exposure to the sun.
The number one culprit is heat exhaustion which riders can suffer from if they are not aware this is one of the conditions of riding in the summer heat. Some of the signs and symptoms are fatigue, dizziness, nausea, cramps and headache. Some or all of these could be a sign of heat exhaustion.
The best method to combat this issue is to pull over off the road into a shaded area or go indoors where it is cooler. You will want to drink water because during sweating the body can lose nutrients and get dehydrated quickly. A mixture of salt and water can quickly restore this loss in balance of body fluids.
Heat stroke is another serious heat related condition that is much more serious than heat exhaustion. If a rider stops perspiring and begins to lose cognition, it is time to get off the road and into a place that has air conditioning as soon as possible.
Getting the body temperature reduced is vital to recovery; the rider should drink water and use ice packs on the body to accomplish this. Do not give caffeine, coffee or other types of stimulants to the rider as this can only elevate the heart rate which is not recommended in the case of heat stroke.
If a rider feels that they are suffering from any of these signs or symptoms it is important to get proper medical help immediately.
