www.BurgmanUSA.com

by **AZGuy** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 14:23 14

About 6 months ago I added to my gallery a Wind Chill Index. Today I added the counterpart: a Heat Stress Index. For those of you who ride in hot or humid cliimes, you might want to take a look at this table and not just how strongly the temperature/hunidity can affect your system.

http://burgmanusa.com/gallery/AZGuy/Heat+Stress+Index.xls.html

by **jkyu99** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 15:46 15

I like it. I have never seen such a thing.

So, now you need to add a 3D version with Heat on one axis, Humidity on one axis, and Burgman speed on the third axis.

Then when it is really hot outside, the posted speed limit should be increased so you can get a better evap cooling effect.

It would qualify under drive a "safe" speed for the environment factors. They already tell us to drive slower than the posted speed limit if the visibility is decreased because it is safer.

by **Silver** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 16:08 16

How about another sheet with Celcius on there for us Canadians

by **AZGuy** » Tue Aug 07, 2007 18:43 18

Okay. I just updated the spreadsheet with equivalent Centigrade values. Keep in mind that these numbers are rounded off to the closest whole degree, but still quite useable.

Ride safely!!

by **SHIFLESS** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 3:20 03

Living in HOT HOT Virginia I can count at least 10 times I have felt dizzy, thirsty, confused while riding in 90+ degree heat & humidity.

I knew what it was but it sneaks up on you just like hypothermia. When riding you naturally feel cooler and the evaporation of sweat that makes you feel cooler is also what makes you dehydrated - then all of your blood chemistries get out of whack and you find yourself at the closest McDonalds wolfing down salty food and sugary multi cokes - in 15 - 20 minutes you are good to go - maybe a little nauseated from the kind of food but at least lucid.

Thanks for the index

Henry

by **AZGuy** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:41 08

You're quite welcome, Henry. HSI is a major consideration here in AZ where the humidity is so low you actually don't sweat. Your persperation evaporates as quickly as it forms on the skin. This becomes a major misconception cuz folks don't realize they're slowly dehydrating until it becomes critical. When riding a bike the problem is exasperatted. So, I thought I would share this information with others here on the forum to help them and hopefully prevent a potentially life-threatening problem.

I also have in my gallery a Wind Chill chart for use during the winter. I put this up in the fall last year. Perhaps one of the moderators would consider putting these charts in a sticky somewhere.

by **blueberry** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 9:36 09

I'm looking at top boxes for the 650 carry a cooler and it's going to be full of just plain water.

by **honda_silver** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 12:50 12

blueberry wrote:I'm looking at top boxes for the 650 carry a cooler and it's going to be full of just plain water.

I use a Camelbak Mule (convenient storage too) with 100 oz (3 L) with with Thermal Control (insulated)tube.
I fill the water bladder 1/2 - 3/4 full depending on heat, length of trip and number of people.
I then put in the freezer for 1-2 nights angled up with no water near the large screw opening to prevent freezing the screw top.

On the morning of the trip, I take the water out of the freezer (ice block) and run hot tap water over the screw top
to ensure easy opening. I then fill the rest of the water bladder to the top, which allows for immediate water if necessary.

If I am riding by myself, I strap the Camelback on top of the rear passenger seat which the the tube facing my back.
I ride with the tube over my shoulder for easy access while riding.

I have riding all day at 108+ degree heat with two passengers ... drinking VERY COLD water all day and still have an ice block in the bladder. When I went to all day family event with four or more drinking, they can exhaust the available water but not the ice block ...
so I purchased/added more water which chilled quickly with the ice block.

by **blueberry** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 2:40 02

That's a great idea :!:

...would that system work with a full face helmet :?:

Guess I was thinkin' it'ed be a great excuse to stop. But, come to think of it, I was way thirsty alot and passing up Kwik Trips (our regional c- stores) even more.

by **honda_silver** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 11:30 11

blueberry wrote:That's a great idea ...would that system work with a full face helmet Guess I was thinkin' it'ed be a great excuse to stop.

I have a Shoei Multitec Flip helmet which I flip up for drinking while riding ... because I can :lol:

Though I believe it can work with a full faced helmet.
Since I have the Camelbak with Thermal Control (insulated)tube, I like to close the mouthpiece with the plastic insulated cover to keep the water in the tube colder. I just thought of something else, if it has been a while since my last drink, I sip just a little bit out of the hose (the portion not covered by neoprene) and spit it ... the next sip will be ICE COLD water.

Removing the insulated cover is easy enough while riding , firmly bite down on the end and pull to open.
Drinking under a full face helmet while riding would not be a problem.

Putting the insulated cover back on (not absolutely required) would be the bigger challenge, firm bite down on the end and try to line up the mouthpiece and PUSH (though it takes a few moments and don't do in traffic -- pullover). I can do this while riding with the helmet flipped-up, if it is not safe with a full faced helmet you could pull over to the side of the road for a couple of seconds and do it ... then continue. If riding with a passenger (I carry the Camelbak on my back with no passenger interference), then I have the passenger put the insulated mouth piece on for me.

I store the mouthpiece and insulated cover inside the front top of my jacket for consistency and out of the direct sun.

blueberry wrote:But, come to think of it, I was way thirsty alot and passing up Kwik Trips (our regional c- stores) even more.

I would still recommend and encourage bathroom breaks :wink:

For longer distances and less stopping, I ended up getting both a Air Hawk and Utopia backrest ... so I could lean back, put my entire weight on backrest and get my butt of the seat

by **TWGBurgman** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 20:40 20

I had a close call about three years ago.... was out at a park outside for a about 5 hours.... it got up to the high 90s.... When I went home ( 3 miles) the temp was over 100..... while going through a small town there was a Dairy Queen.. I suddenly got a weak ,dizzy, nausious sensation... and knew I was in trouble... it was as if my body was saying get out of the heat - NOW!!!.... I got into the AC of the DQ and bought something wet... sat down... still weak but the dizziness had passed. I honestly think if I was not near a place to cool down and get water I would have been in serious trouble. I always carry a bottle of water now... and I'm alot more aware of hydrating myself. It is a true danger on a bike in the heat...

by **honda_silver** » Sat Dec 27, 2008 1:32 01

TWGBurgman wrote:I had a close call about three years ago.... was out at a park outside for a about 5 hours.... it got up to the high 90s.... When I went home ( 3 miles) the temp was over 100..... while going through a small town there was a Dairy Queen.. I suddenly got a weak ,dizzy, nausious sensation... and knew I was in trouble... it was as if my body was saying get out of the heat - NOW!!!.... I got into the AC of the DQ and bought something wet... sat down... still weak but the dizziness had passed. I honestly think if I was not near a place to cool down and get water I would have been in serious trouble. I always carry a bottle of water now... and I'm alot more aware of hydrating myself. It is a true danger on a bike in the heat...

I wear a Motoport/Cycleport Kevlar Mesh jacket and pants. During the extreme hot summer days I still wear my mesh jacket and pants ... I just open the zipper from the top, bottom and cuffs for more air flow. The best way of describing it on a hot sunny day is like sitting in the shade and feeling ALL of the breezes.

If I did not wear the mesh jacket and pants I would be have more heat symptoms/problems.

by **QuantumRift** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 16:19 16

AZGuy wrote:About 6 months ago I added to my gallery a Wind Chill Index. Today I added the counterpart: a Heat Stress Index. For those of you who ride in hot or humid cliimes, you might want to take a look at this table and not just how strongly the temperature/hunidity can affect your system.

http://burgmanusa.com/gallery/AZGuy/Heat+Stress+Index.xls.html

Yea, they post in on a big sign here on Ft. Huachuca and other military bases as the DoD is BIG On this...people have DIED during ruck marches, PT, etc because of the heat index was way too much for them.

by **TWGBurgman** » Tue Jan 06, 2009 17:27 17

I think that is a point that is not stressed enough... protection can actually keep you cooler with less dehydration than being almost "Au Naturale"... It is hotter when not moving though and other than initial expense this has been my "excuse" for not being properly dressed... that is changing this year