+1 to everything Londob said.

Out here in CA, I too am seeing it more and more. Young kids out on their SS bikes in t-shirts and shorts. Some with no shirt. Thankfully, haven't seen anyone go down (knock on wood). I must have been asked 4 or 5 different times over the past weekend by some Squid, "Aren't you hot in all that gear?" I just tell em only when I stop for too long and I'd rather be a little warmer and safer than be unprotected. They just laugh. Oh well, can't get through to all of them.

Have fun and be safe out there.

always wear your gear . cant be said enough!

I have days where its so hard to put on my jacket. jeans, boots, and helmet always with no thought. But the jacket I always contemplate to myself everytime I leave the house. only once I have ridden without it and was paranoid the whole way, never again will it be left at home.

its crazy to think that someone riding a motorcycle would ride without full gear to protect them from serious injury but yet you see it on a daily basis there is no excuse for not wearing gear if its too hot to wear gear than its too hot to ride, weather is no excuse ,riding in the neighborhood is no excuse not to wear gear ,its only takes a sec for a accident to happen The point is WEAR YOUR GEAR NO MATTER WHAT ALWAYS WEAR YOUR GEAR

Chances of an accident are much higher if you get heat stroke...

Ok.. not actually my quote.. and rings true... so figure out a solution. Personally I wet down my t-shirt under my riding jacket and my hair. Makes for a pretty darn comfertable ride, and works for about 30min-1hr at a time depending on saturation. If you're going to be riding for long distances through high heat areas make sure you've got a water pack (camelbacks are great) and another refillable water container for something to re hydrate your t-shirt and whatnot.

Riding to work or home from work often time soaking my head pretty good does all the job I need... and yah I wont say that I'm 100% comfertable, but I'm at no risk of heat related illness.

never thought about dampening a shirt under the jacket, thats a good idea.

gear gear gear no matter if your running down to the quick-stop for a widget or whatever

Cool, damp bandanas around your neck are helpful too - they now make them with some sort of pellet inside that retains moisture.

Your neck, armpits and groin are the best places to apply cool water, directly or through cloth, to cool yourself down/heat yourself up. They have large concentrations of blood-carrying veins & arteries.

If you find yourself feeling woozy in the heat, get thee to some place where you can dampen some paper towels and hold them to your neck ASAP.

Good words guys, everyone needs to know this information!

My local group was just discussing the purchase of evaporative cooling vests from soundrider.com. They range in price from $46.00 up, and appear to be the ticket to keeping comfortable when the temps rise above the 90 mark. Anyone here have any first hand experience with these?

The last long haul in summer heat I took was August 07... 250 miles in high 90 degree heat while wearing full gear. We made regular stops to rehydrate.

Don't make excuses not to wear your gear. The one time you don't will be the one time you should have.

After spending a ton of time in 120+ and high humidity I've found from expirience what we are trained.

No under armour, evap cooling/ wicking gear, A/C is a substitute for HYDRATION.

Drink water and tons of it. When you think you drank enough, DRINK MORE. Oh and gatoraide isnt a substatute.

WATER WATER WATER!!!

If we can carry 45+ pounds on our backs with helmets, googles, long sleeves and pants and boots in 120 dergrees there is no excuse not to wear your protective equiptment.

Wear it because your family wants you to come back and they don't care if your sweaty!

I was riding in full gear last weekend in Kentucky in Mid to high 90s. We rode 250 miles that day. I think I had beginning signs of heat stroke or something. Near the end of the day, I pulled up to a light and felt light headed and shaky, I thought I was going to faint. I pulled in to the gas station and sat in the A/C for about an hour, splashed cold water on my face and drank something cold. I waited around until I felt better and the color came back to my face.

Realized a few things that caused this.

1) drank beer the night before and didn't have any water that night.

2) I was probably dehydrated before we left and only drank one glass of water and a bottled water, on the ride, all day. Not Good!!!

3) I was two up riding and my wife, who was pressed up against me, blocking the vents in the back of my leather jacket. I was burning up. I tried unzipping the jacket some and continuously opened up my visor. Nothing was helping. The only thing that would work at this point is fluids and somewhere cool. I felt terrible.

4) I pulled in to gas station before conditions got any worse. Cooled off my body and replenished fluids. I felt a 1000 times better and continued on another 50 miles back to camp. Everything was fine after that.

Please drink a LOT of water when riding in the heat. I was fine until my body ran out of fluids. We rode the first 200 miles in peak heat temps and I was fine. Once you run out of fluids, your body stops cooling off. It can happen pretty quick too. I remember I was fine, having fun, and then it hit me.

Everyone said that I didn't look good at all. They were concerned.

sounds like you were in last stages of heat exhaustion. Good thing you recognized it. Once at that stage, heat stroke can come on in a matter of moments.

Anyone interested in this should do a web search for heat related illnesses. There are tons of sites that will give you tips and information.