What should I wear for this ride?
Enter where you are riding, how fast and for how long. We read the National Weather Service hourly forecast and work out what the wind at your speed does to you.
How wind chill works at riding speed
Wind takes heat off bare skin faster than still air does, so a cold day feels colder than the thermometer says. On a motorcycle the wind that matters is not the weather alone: it is your riding speed plus the forecast wind. At 60 mph into a 10 mph breeze your body meets 70 mph of air.
We use the National Weather Service wind chill formula with that combined speed. Forty degrees with 70 mph of relative wind feels like about 24 degrees. The formula is only defined at 50 F and below, so above that we show the air temperature and tell you the wind still cools you.
Why 95 degrees flips the advice
Once the air is hotter than your skin, moving air adds heat instead of taking it away. A hot ride feels like a hair dryer, and it dries sweat so fast you stop noticing how much water you lose. Above about 95 F we show the heat index, warn about dehydration and recommend vented mesh gear with a cooling vest. Never take your jacket off to stay cool: skin on asphalt is worse than heat.
Layering on a bike
Layers work because air trapped between them is warm. Put a moisture-wicking base against your skin, an insulating layer over it and a windproof shell on top. At speed the shell matters most, because the wind is what steals the heat. Keep your armour close to your body and add layers underneath instead of buying a bigger jacket. Gloves, neck and boots get cold first, so they matter more than they look.
What to carry
A packable rain suit, a spare thin layer, a neck tube, water, and sunglasses or a clear visor. The ride out is rarely the problem: the ride home in the dark is. Check the forecast again before you leave, because it changes through the day.
Questions
Is the wind chill on a motorcycle really that much colder?
Yes. At 40 F with a 10 mph breeze, a bike at 60 mph sees 70 mph of relative wind, which feels like about 24 F on exposed skin.
Why does the calculator stop using wind chill above 50 F?
The National Weather Service formula is only defined for 50 F and colder. Above that we show the air temperature and a note that wind at speed still cools you.
Why is riding in 100 F heat dangerous even with wind?
When the air is hotter than your skin, moving air adds heat instead of removing it, and it dries sweat so fast you do not notice you are losing water.
Does the forecast include gusts and rain?
Yes. We use the hourly forecast wind range and rain chance for every hour of your ride and warn about strong gusts and likely rain.
Is this advice a replacement for protective gear?
No. Guidance only. Always wear full protective gear: helmet, jacket, gloves, trousers and boots.
Does it work outside the United States?
Not yet. Forecasts come from the US National Weather Service, which covers the United States and its territories.