How GoodDayTo judges motorcycling weather
Motorcycle weather deserves stricter treatment than a casual outdoor activity. Rain, crosswinds, gusts, cold and low-light periods all affect comfort and can affect risk. GoodDayTo therefore penalises wet and windy conditions more heavily for riding than it does for many other activities.
- Rain probability and precipitation
- Wind and gusts
- Apparent temperature
- Daylight
- Rapidly changing conditions
🌞 Make the most of the good window
- Treat the score as a planning aid, not a riding-safety clearance.
- Always check local warnings, road conditions and your route before leaving.
- If the forecast is marginal, a shorter route closer to home may be more sensible than a long exposed ride.
Reading the motorcycle score conservatively
Motorcycling is more exposed to weather than driving, so GoodDayTo weights rain, wind and gusts heavily and places hard caps on the score for freezing precipitation, snowfall, thunderstorms and significant fog. A pleasant temperature should never hide a forecast signal that could materially affect grip, visibility or stability.
When the result is WAIT, compare the best later window with the full three-hour trend. A short dry gap surrounded by worsening weather is less useful than a stable dry period. Wind direction also matters: crosswinds on bridges and open roads can feel very different from the same wind speed on a sheltered route.
What the motorcycle score cannot know
The tool does not measure actual road-surface temperature, black ice, standing water, traffic, road works or your motorcycle, tyres and riding experience. It is not a riding-safety clearance. Local warnings, visible road conditions and your own judgement always take priority over a positive score.
What the score means
GO means the weather signals we can measure look favourable. WAIT means conditions are mixed and a better hour may be nearby. NOT TODAY means the forecast currently contains enough unfavourable signals that this activity is unlikely to be a good weather choice. These are planning recommendations, not safety clearances.
Frequently asked questions
Does a GO score mean it is safe to ride?
No. It only means the forecast factors used by GoodDayTo look favourable. Road condition, traffic, rider skill, local warnings and many other hazards are outside the score.
Why does rain reduce the motorcycle score so much?
Wet conditions can change visibility, comfort and road grip, so the scoring model is intentionally more conservative for motorcycling.
Does the tool consider gusts?
Yes. Gusts are considered separately from average wind speed because sudden wind can matter to riders.