Dehydration, heat exhaustion, and even heat stroke is very common in intense heat and can put you at increased risk of an accident on a motorcycle. Heat can hurt you, and can even kill you, if you’re out riding and not prepared for the challenges of intense heat you might encounter.

There are a few factors working against bikers when riding in extreme heat. At temperatures exceeding 93 degrees the convection effect intensifies the heat, forcing your body to work overtime by sweating to keep itself cool. But heavy sweating is often less noticeable on a motorcycle because it evaporates more quickly in the rushing air. You can be sweating profusely, dehydrating your body very quickly, and actually accelerating the effects of heat exhaustion – all without even noticing. To make matters worse, asphalt roads collect and radiate heat making the air above the highway even hotter than ambient temperatures. When you add that to the heat already being generated by your bike, it can become a recipe for heat injury very quickly.

Look out for the following heat stress injuries:

Heat Rash – red raised rash, impairs sweating and decreases effectiveness of sweating

Heat Cramps – muscle cramps, pains or spasms in the abdomen, arms or legs

Heat Exhaustion – moist, clammy skin, dilated pupils, dizziness, confusion, nausea, weak pulse, rapid breathing

Heat Stroke – dry, red, hot skin, pupils constricted, very high body temperature, dizziness, confusion, nausea, rapid pulse, unconsciousness