Florida Summers On an 1150 RT

[Beagles]

I've seen some posts that talk about riding in the summer heat (think I even started one myself) but alas, I still cook on my 1150RT from June through October. I wear Cortech Air jacket and pants, ride with windshield down, etc., wear breathable wicking shirt, but I still roast. I like the RT but am considering get something with more airflow. I'd hate to have to get rid of the RT if for nothing else it'll cost me a good chunk of money to get something else I'd be interested in (Ulysses or GS). I'd like some advice from other RT riders in Florida (I'm in Brooksville) and see if there is any chance of relief.

[Matts_12GS]

My 1100RT was like that. That is part of what drove me to a VSTROM 650. The wee handles the summer airflow well, and has just about (though not quite) all the protection I want in the winter too.

[pedro cerveza]

Do you spend more time moving or sitting in traffic? My K-S will throw off more heat while stopped but is cooler on the move.

[ShovelStrokeEd]

Nothin's gonna help.

The sun be blazin', pumping heat into whatever clothing you are wearing.

Temp is 90-105 degrees, flowing more air just heats you up.

Humidity is approaching 100% with only a couple of degrees difference between dew point and air temp. Hence, even sweating doesn't cool you very much.

 

Best I have found for coping with all this is the BMW Airflow stuff. Yeah, the black pants get hot when you are stopped, the silver jacket helps, some. That and trying to keep my core temperature down with cool drinks (not cold, head freeze demon lurks there). I fill my Camelbak with ice then water and wear it under my jacket on longer rides. That helps a little.

 

Sometimes I just say screw it and ride in a 1/2 helmet, tee shirt and shorts. Short rides only, of course. I still bake and then get a sunburn but, at least I don't have to cope with the crazy questions. "Aren't you hot in that?"

[PRC]

Humm...I know I'm hot in T town, but only when stopped. Like others have said, camelbaks work wonders!

[CLEAN1]

While living in NJ, I bought my first BMW in Sept. 2002 - a 2003 RT. Rode 6000 miles the first year, 4000 miles the second year and then we moved to SE Florida. Only rode about 1500 miles in the next three years due to the heat and humidity (and lack of interesting roads locally).

 

Since I NEVER ride without protective gear, I have tried everything to be more comfortable. I bought a Nolan flip front helmet, a First Gear mesh jacket, Draggin Jeans, perforated gloves, BMW Street Sneakers and still was too warm. I cut a stock BMW windshield down so it was at the top of the fairing, but nothing I did helped enough for me to ride more. I was not ready to give up motorcycling, so after test riding and agonizing over many different bikes, I traded the RT in on a slightly used 2007 Harley Road KIng. The Road King has a quick detachable windshield and the only time I have used it was on the ride home from the dealer the day I purchased the bike.

 

In less than 4 months, I have ridden the Harley 1300 miles. For the riding I am doing in South Fla, the Road King was a good decision.

[harleyjohn45]

i don't think the RT is worse than other bikes. if you wear gear and ride in florida, you will cook. i wear jeans, shoes and a shirt, if i ride in the summer i have to back off on the clothing. early mornings are fine, so is night time, but i don't ride much at night, because i don't see as well as i used to. i also have a suzuki DR650 and a mesh jacket works until you stop. actually, i don't think anything works.

[RichEdwards]

The only answer for summer riding in Florida is DO IT IN THE MORNING! Six a.m. to noon gives you six hours of relative coolness.

This doesn't help much unless you are a morning person.

[Francois_Dumas]

I like the RT but am considering get something with more airflow.

 

 

What difference is a lot of hot air going to make, I wonder ??

[Boffin]

What difference is a lot of hot air going to make, I wonder ??

 

No politics Francois....

Andy

[BFish]

i ride early, lightweight mesh jacket...sometimes windshield all the way down doesn't feel as cool as raising it some. try it this summer.

[Wyn]

It's hot, keep hydrated and be glad your not riding a Harley. Mesh is cooler than no mesh and no tan lines.

[Francois_Dumas]

What difference is a lot of hot air going to make, I wonder ??

 

No politics Francois....

Andy

 

 

[hANNAbONE]

mANY mANUFACTURERS make light silver colored mesh gear - I own Fieldsheer - it's is wonderful and not near as hot. Try that.

[Bud]

I like the RT but am considering get something with more airflow.

 

 

What difference is a lot of hot air going to make, I wonder ??

 

With today being Super Tuesday, I'm already getting a lot of hot air on the TV.

 

Feels pretty good today.

[effexer1]

Hey, please send some of that hot air my way. It is below Zero here, and they are calling for more SNOW!!!!!

Please send hot air, please send hot air.....

[eddd]

Hey, please send some of that hot air my way. It is below Zero here, and they are calling for more SNOW!!!!!

Please send hot air, please send hot air.....

 

Help is on the way. We have diverted a plane filled with politicians to your location.

[eddd]

While I don't live in Florida, living on the south Texas coast, I have most of the same conditions you are encountering.

 

Several good ideas have already been shared. While certainly not a quick and easy fix, being in good physical condition also seems to help.

 

I'm not implying anything, just stating that the less extra weight we carry the better we seem to be able to tolerate the heat.

[Francois_Dumas]

just stating that the less extra weight we carry the better we seem to be able to tolerate the heat.

 

Damn.... NOW you tell us !!

[realshelby]

When riding home on early days (5pm) in the heat of summer in Houston there is no real "comfort". One of the things I think people overlook is the color of the protective gear. In the hot weather I have a Joe Rocket full mesh jacket in the lime green. No Black on it! I ride all summer with Olympia airglide overpants in silver color. No black on them. I have ridden with my mesh Fieldsheer pants that are black and it feels like someone has a blowtorch against you when stopped. The sun really adds heat to the dark clothing. As far a the RT airflow goes I occasionally ride my KLR 650 to work. It has a lot of airflow but I don't seem to be much cooler. Same difference when stopped, and that is when the real problems start. Very common for my thermometer (sensor mounted under air intake funnel near left fork tube) to be 115 degrees while moving in traffic. I have seen over 150 when stopped for a wreck. I had to pull off and take the gear off to wait that one out! The evaporative vests work for longer rides but my 1 hour ride to work is not worth it.

[waylap]

There's just no escaping it and I don't think it's the RT's fault. Believe me it's way worse on the Harley. Best advice is the camel back with lots of ice and water. It does wonders for keeping your core cool. If I really wanted to enjoy the ride I'd go without a helmet, NOT. You just have to take the good with the bad.

[tallman]

You can always pull over and seek some shade as this fellow has done.

[Francois_Dumas]

You can always pull over and seek some shade as this fellow has done.

 

Except that the dude is sitting on the wrong side...... IN the sun

[BFish]

FYI- Newenough.com (link below) is having a sale on Joe Rocket Phoenix 4.0 lightweight mesh jackets. $89 and free shipping. This is my florida summer jacket. i'm sure there are pros/cons to it but i like mine. thought the sale is appropriate to warrant mention due to the nature of this thread.

 

web page

[Knifemaker]

Don't have a RT (R1150R) but have plenty of friends that do and they wear full "Stiches" all summer...I myself have the Cycleport AIR MESH KEVLAR SUIT...this helps a bunch....

 

Few options when riding in summer in Florida...

 

#1..Remind yourself you can ride all year...

#2..Go to the N.C. mountains for a visit..The RT will make it

#3..It's fricking HOT everywhere

#4..Stop more often and cool off a bit

#5..You are loosing water weight

#6..Those cool looking guys on HDs are burning the &*#Q*&^ out of the inside of thier thighs...

#7.. Stay on back roads so you do not have to stop so much in traffic

#8..Cooling vest

#9..Camel pac

#10..Swimming pool or cold shower after ride

#11..Ride with other people who are suffering like you

[RichEdwards]

#3..It's fricking HOT everywhere

 

Very true. This summer (July), returning from the Canadian Rockies, I passed through the Dakotas, Minnesota, Tennessee, all hotter than Florida. I couldn't wait to get home to cool off.

[flat_twin]

If no ones suggested this yet.....Why not remove your windshield or replace it with a much shorter one. Get a used stock windscreen and knock off 8 inches! That won't help much with airflow down around the legs but it's a lot cheaper than a second bike.

[Beagles]

Thanks to all for the comments and suggestions. As a fourth generation Floridian I grew sweating and I guess I'll die sweating. By the way I wear white gear and am skinny! That eliminated two suggestions from the running.

[rmurwin]

You can always pull over and seek some shade as this fellow has done.

 

I just love that I appears that he is welding on or at least very near the gas tank in that picture.

 

Have you considered only riding from 2:00 to 5:00 in the summer? Either one will do; AM = the Sun is still focusing all of it's efforts on Europe, PM = you will always have a greater than 50% chance of getting rained on.

 

I'm here in Spring Hill and I have the same issue as you. I just take a little solace in the fact that I can ride all winter long to make up for the hot days of summer. Oh yeah, try some of that Under Armor stuff that wicks away the sweat and lets it evaporate, it'll make you feel at least 5 degrees cooler! I always wear something to absorb the sweat away from my skin under my jacket.

[Rider1200RT]

I had an RT for a while and although it was warm, it was cooler than the LT I rode afterwards. Now that I have a GS it is much better .

The things to keep in mind is hydration (pedialite is the best), light meals, taking breaks and avoid 11 AM to 4 PM for riding if possible as it is the hottest part of the day. I live as far south in FL as you can get and it is very humid down here although the temps are milder in the summer than mainland FL. I always wear either my mesh outfit or my Rally pro2 suit with all the vents open and have no heat issues. I agree that Kansas and Oklahoma are hotter in the summer, but the humidity levels are lower and that is a huge difference. Drier air feels cooler than humid air and is more pleasant to ride in. I guess we can't have it all down here

[TampaJim]

Cee baily makes a cut down windshield (sport) that when fully lowered. puts a lot more air on your chest and really helps. I also think it flattens that warm blast from the oil cooler that comes up under the bars. Try a ride with no windshield to see if you might like it.

If your mesh jacket isn't silver, get one ( I just ordered a white Joe Rocket, when it comes to heat, I got no pride) and wear a white moisture wicking tee shirt underneath.

And like RichEdwards posted earlier; ride early in the morning.

 

The only real solution is to get an open bike with no windshield and even that isn't much help after noon.