I'm always interested in experimenting with new ways to improve riding in hot weather. Here's basically a cut and paste of my response to Moto Mouth's posting on the BMW LT forum:
Hydration Vest
At first, I tried a Cycle Gear brand cooling vest. It cooled and stayed hydrated for about 45 minutes, before needing to stop to re-soak the thing, or I'd rehydrate it with my sweat. Hated it and gave it away.
LD Comfort Shorts & Helmet Liner
Bought two pairs of LD Comfort shorts and the helmet liner with ties & tail. I've used the shorts on all of my long distance rides and am satisfied, but so far have infrequently used the helmet liner as I keep forgetting about it.
Veskimo Cooling System(s)
Bought a used Veskimo Cooling System from another BMW LT forum rider, composed of both types of cooling units - the 9 qt. cooler and the hydration backpack, with the cooling vest which circulates ice water around your torso. Works great, but takes up a lot of space and is not suitable for two-up riding. A 10 lb. bag of ice in the 9 qt. cooler lasts about a tank of gas, while I recently mounted the cooler inside another larger collapsible cooler, allowing me to use a 20 lb. bag of ice that lasts all day. Have used it in 113 degree riding and was very comfortable. It is too cumbersome to use for shorter distance riding and the hydration backpack cannot be used with my RDL backrest as the two want to take up the same space, so that one is relegated to occasional bicycling duties.
Colorado Cool Vest
Bought a Colorado Cool Vest to try. Works great in low humidity temps and I use it for shorter duration, more local rides. I'm on my second one, as I let the first vest soak too long and the hydration crystals burst through the channels on the vest and I ended up tossing it. I was impressed enough though to buy a replacement.
Motoskiveez Shirt & Socks
Bought a Motoskiveez shirt and two pair of the compression socks. The shirt is nice and light weight and great to wear one or off the bike. The compression socks are comfortable, but difficult by design to put on and take off - they are supposed to be that way to do their job. I've not considered buying their shorts, as I am happy with my LD Comfort shorts.
Next Tries
After watching Moto Mouth's video review of the undergarments, I was intrigued enough to watch several other LD Comfort You Tube videos and ordered the long sleeve mock turtleneck and the power temp cool sleeves and will try them out (separately) after wetting them, under my Aerostich Roadcrafter suit, closing all the vents except the sleeve cuffs and opening the front zipper. The results should be interesting, as I think this method is meant more for bare bikes, not full fairing'ed touring bikes with excellent wind protection like the LT or to a lesser extent, the GTL/GTLE/GT.
:bmw: