If you are looking for a maximum wind speed for riding a motorcycle, a single number will leave out too much. The decision depends on gusts, the direction of the wind relative to the road, the motorcycle and its load, your experience, and the conditions along the route.

Start with official weather warnings and road restrictions, then inspect the exposed parts of your ride. A forecast below a number you have seen online is not permission to continue when conditions feel beyond your control.

Why one number is not enough

The wind at your front door tells you little about a bridge later in the journey. A route can also change direction several times, putting the same wind behind you on one section and across you on another.

The UK Highway Code identifies open roads, bridges and gaps in hedges as places where strong gusts can push a motorcyclist off course. It also highlights turbulence around large vehicles. See its wind guidance in rules 232 and 233.

That makes a route check more useful than a universal table labelled “safe below this speed”. If a bridge operator restricts motorcycles, or official advice says to avoid travel, follow that instruction regardless of an app’s summary.

Read average wind, gusts and direction

Average wind describes the expected mean speed. Gusts describe brief peaks. In the Met Office forecast table, the gust value is the highest expected speed within the indicated interval. Its forecast-reading guide explains both values and wind direction.

Check the units before comparing apps: kilometres per hour, miles per hour and metres per second are different scales. Then check that the values cover the time you expect to reach the road section.

Compass descriptions normally name the direction wind comes from. A westerly wind comes from the west. On a northbound section it therefore has a crosswind component; after a turn, its relationship to the bike changes. Check a map’s arrow legend instead of assuming every app draws arrows the same way.

You do not need to calculate wind forces at breakfast. You need to recognise where a headline average hides gusts or where a change in road direction makes the forecast more relevant.

Find the sections that deserve a closer look

Scan the route for long open stretches, bridges, coastal roads and changes between sheltered and exposed ground. Mark where they occur in your schedule. Then ask:

  • What gusts are forecast when I expect to arrive?
  • Does the road turn across the wind there?
  • Is there a restriction or warning from the road operator?
  • Can I choose another route before committing to that section?

Review the bike as you will actually ride it. Touring luggage or a passenger may make this a different outing from your usual local loop. Use the loading guidance in your motorcycle and luggage manuals. Do not use extra luggage or weight as a supposed wind-safety fix.

MotoMeteo shows wind and gusts at forecast points along the planned ride. Use those details to find where to investigate further; they cannot certify the conditions at every gap, bridge or bend.

Compare changes you can actually make

Consider this hypothetical day trip: the outbound journey crosses an exposed section in the morning, while stronger gusts are forecast there by late afternoon. A comfortable ride out would not establish that the same road is suitable for the return.

Calculate the journey home with its own departure time, as explained in our outbound and return weather guide. If the return looks unsuitable, make that decision before leaving home.

Useful alternatives might include moving the whole outing to another day, choosing a route with different exposure, or shortening the ride so it remains within a more suitable forecast window. Check each alternative on its own merits. A road through trees can introduce falling-branch hazards during strong winds; sheltered-looking does not automatically mean suitable. The National Weather Service’s high-wind guidance discusses trees and flying debris.

MotoMeteo PRO can compare departure windows across a route. Review the wind details as well as the overall recommendation: reducing rain elsewhere does not remove an exposed crossing from the plan.

A wind check before departure

Before setting off, make sure you can answer four questions:

  1. Have I read the official warnings and current road restrictions for the whole route?
  2. Have I checked gusts at the time of both the outbound and return crossings?
  3. Do I have a workable alternative if the exposed section is unsuitable?
  4. Am I willing to postpone, even if that means changing a booking or meeting?

If gusts are displacing the bike or you cannot comfortably maintain control, treat that as a reason to end the ride and reach a safe stopping place as conditions allow. Do not keep going because a forecast seemed acceptable earlier. Check the phone only after stopping safely.

For the rest of the preparation, use the full route-weather checklist. The value of a wind forecast is the chance to change your plan before the difficult section begins.