
Those same five heat-loss mechanisms you may remember from TIP #54 (radiation, respiration, conduction, convection, and perspiration) can also work to cool you down in hot weather. STAY COVERED Ever seen a picture of a Touareg tribesman in the Sahara? He's covered from head to foot. Only...
Over and over and over in the riding section of The Total Motorcycling Manual you've heard us tell you to stand up on the footpegs when riding. A motorcycle set up for proper control will have the footpegs pretty close to directly under your hips—dirtbikes are probably the best example, and...
Say "motorcycle noise" and most people think of loud exhaust pipes. But savvy riders know there's a much greater enemy—wind. Exposure to sound louder than 95 decibels (dB) can cause permanent hearing damage. Street riders on quiet bikes can expect wind roar to exceed 110 dB even inside a good...
Adjusting your bike's chain won't make it any faster, but it's critical if you want your chain to last. It's fast, easy, and next to checking your own tire pressure it's one of the first things any home mechanic should learn. Too tight is as bad as too loose, but it'll only take minutes to get...
Texting, phone calls, narcolepsy, general ineptitude—automobile drivers may not be deliberately trying to kill you, but they can do a fine job of it without trying. Your defense? First, get as far away from them as possible—especially their blind spots. Second, be conspicuous. In other words,...
BEAT THE HEAT Planning to ride across Death Valley in July? Most modern bikes are pretty tolerant of hot weather, as long as you keep them moving so there's airflow over the radiator or cooling fins. Riders are a different issue, but there's plenty you can do to stay cool. First, wear textile...
It's hard to pick the right line when your teeth are chattering. Any warm body—including yours—loses heat through five mechanisms: radiation, respiration, conduction, convection, and perspiration. Here's how to combat them. STAY DRY Water conducts heat about 200 times better than dry air; ergo,...