Tech Center: Hot Summer Performance Boosters

When it comes to gaining hot weather performance on your ATV, sometimes it doesn’t take a massive bank account and an entire summer of free afternoons. In fact, there are actually a few swaps, gadgets and gizmos that can juice things up that won’t take much longer in practice than reading this article. Let’s take a look at some of our favorites.

Radiator Cap- Believe it or not more pressure in a radiator means increased boiling point. Hot summer rides can be made much less worrisome by simply popping on an aftermarket radiator cap. Going up to a 2.0 can increase the boiling point of your ATV’s fluid by 45-degrees!

Fuel Filtration- You ever leave your drink out in the barn for a few weeks. Go out there, pick it up on a hot day and go for a sip.. What’s all that sediment in your cup? Maybe you’d be wiser to go back inside and pour yourself something fresh. Same phenomenon takes place in your gas can. Companies like Slipstream offer small filtration rings that sit on the gas cap threads of the tank and offer a layer of welcomed filtration to the fuel stream as you’re dumping gas into the tank.

Compression Shirt- We see it all too often in our weekly Friday Funny Youtube clips- hot day means riding in a tank top. Thing is, compression shirts (like the Virus Cool Jade) support your back muscles while literally integrating flakes of jade (the stone) into the fabric to keep your skin both cool and dry. Best part about it is it keeps your muscles warm with blood so you’re far less likely to pull one even when doing your best goon riding.

Energy Bar- Slip a few of these in your under-seat storage, backpack, or even your pockets if that’s all you have for storage. They take up minimal space, are easy to digest and pack essential nutrients that we all burn while riding (accelerated when we’re riding in intense heat).

H2O- We all understand the significance of staying hydrated when the mercury starts rising but let’s be honest: ATV’s generally don’t offer Cadillac-trunk style storage options for carrying water or sports drinks. We’ve learned a trick from our mountain biking brethren that pays dividends: Pick up a hydration pack (like Camelback) that straps a bladder to your back with a hose that attaches to your lapel or helmet mouthpiece. Suckle sweet hydration during your all-day rides as needed.

Bonus Tip: Mix ¾ water with ¼ sports drink in the hydration pack for a drink less sugary than sports drink alone but slightly sweeter than water to keep your thirst at bay.