Summer Riding Gear

Riding gear is important, not only to help you look good but also to help keep you safe. When temperatures climb, you may need to adapt or replace your gear to better keep you comfortable and secure. That is why Windy City Motorcycle Company has created this guide to help you find the perfect summer riding gear.

The Importance of Long-Sleeved Clothing

While conventional wisdom may be to switch to short sleeves during the summer, full-length clothing will better protect your skin, both from the sun and in the event of a crash. Look for breathable long-sleeved clothing that will protect you while keeping you cool.

The Right Helmet

While helmets are important pieces of safety equipment, many summer riders find them to be hot and stuffy. Look for a helmet that offers better ventilation to keep cool. You can also switch to a half-helmet, though this will offer slightly less protection than a full helmet.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses can do wonders for your visibility when the sunlight gets intense, though you should make sure that your sunglasses are compatible with your helmet.

Riding Jacket and Pants

The iconic leather jacket and jeans combo is poorly-suited to summertime. Wear clothes with a cooling mesh material and vents instead. We also suggest you use light colored clothing rather than wearing dark colors, as darker material will absorb light and make you hotter.

Gloves

While having sturdy gloves is important, sweaty hands make controlling a motorcycle more difficult. Make sure that your gloves have mesh panels for better airflow and cooler hands.

Boots and Socks

Like your gloves, your boots should be sturdy yet also provide plenty of ventilation. We highly recommend that you use socks made from moisture-wicking materials for a more comfortable ride.

Bandana

Nothing is worse than having sweat dripping down your forehead and not being able to wipe it away because both hands are on the controls. Use a bandana to keep sweat out of your eyes.

Neckerchief

One trick many bikers use is to wet a neckerchief before they hit the road and tie it around their necks to keep them cool. You can use stops as an opportunity to re-wet the neckerchief.

Cooling Vests

If you frequently ride during the summer months, we suggest investing in a cooling vest. Simply soak it in water for a few minutes and then wring it. Just by wearing it under your jacket, you’ll be assured a cool ride. Best of all, you can resoak it as many times as you wish for subsequent rides.

We here at Windy City Motorcycle Company want to wish you a safe and fun summer. If you would like to shop our inventory of new and used motorcycles, visit one of our dealerships in southern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Windy City Motorcycle Company is proud to serve the metropolitan areas of Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Detroit, Michigan; and Chicago, Illinois.