Beating the Summer Heat with Great Airflow

It is so hot this time of year, but UTV riding can still be great. We like to ride all summer long even when the temperatures climb. One way to keep enjoying the trails when the heat is at its strongest is to have a great windshield. Your windshield will drastically change the way air flows around your machine. If you can keep air flowing through the cab when you need it, the heat may not bother you. Here are some details on airflow and how it works with your windshield, so you can keep riding even when the temperatures rise.

Full Windshields

Full windshields stop all the air from coming in the cab…. kind of. With a full windshield, the air that would normally come through the front of the cab is blocked. But the windshield pushes the air sideways, over and around the cab. Then it starts to swirl. It swirls fairly significantly and creates a sort of vacuum in the cab. Air and dust start to come into the cab from every other possible opening, including through the rear and in any door openings. This air doesn’t seem to help cool you down, and it brings in so much dust.

We’ve found full windshields to be great when it’s raining or if it’s really cold outside. They work best when used with a rear windshield that will help keep some of the dust out.  But full windshields can make it more difficult to enjoy a summer ride. They limit your air flow so much that the cab gets stuffy and dusty, especially on a hot day, when you can use some good air coming through.

Half Windshields

With a half windshield, you get some air flow coming through the cab, but most of the air blows right over your head. This air will help keep you cooler on a hot day, but it won’t hit you in the face or upper body. The air doesn’t swirl around in the cab as much as it would with a full windshield. However depending on how tall your windshield is, you may notice a little air coming in through the rear. Also, if you have a four seat model, your rear passengers may be getting a lot of air right in the face. The air will go over the heads of the front passengers, then deflect off the roof and directly hit your rear passengers.

We’ve found that half windshields help quite a bit with cool temperatures. They keep you warmer than you would think. Half windshields also help with hot temperatures. They let in a little air that will help keep you cool. If you ride in relatively mild weather for most of the year, a half windshield is not a bad option.

No Windshield

Without a windshield, all of the air flows in through the front, then out of the back of the cab. Fresh air is constantly flowing through the cab, which is quite delightful on a hot day. Of course, this isn’t exactly what you want when it is cold. This isn’t a bad option if you usually ride in warm weather and you don’t mind a little wind. It’s great for hot weather riding.

Clearly Tough True 2-in-1 Windshields

The Clearly Tough full folding windshield gives you all the airflow you need to beat the summer heat. This windshield can be modified to be a full, half or no windshield at all in a matter of just seconds. Fold it down and enjoy the way the air moves through the cab. The bend in the windshield directs it up and over your head. This allows you to cool down, without taking a bunch of air right in the face. Or you can remove the windshield all together and go naked. This will give you maximum airflow, which may be exactly what you need on a hot summer day.

Whatever you choose to ride with, we hope your summer riding is fun and enjoyable. Stay safe and have fun.