To stay warm riding a motorcycle, stop the wind first, then add insulation and heat. Wear a windproof, waterproof outer layer, layer a thin base layer and a fleece underneath, seal the gaps at your neck, wrists and ankles, and add heated gear, which is the single biggest upgrade for cold rides. Then manage your body: eat, hydrate, and take warm-up breaks before you get cold.
1. Block the wind
Wind chill is what makes riding so cold. At highway speed, even a mild day feels freezing through a mesh jacket. A windproof outer shell, ideally waterproof too, makes the biggest single difference. See our best winter motorcycle jackets and overpants. A taller windscreen and hand guards also cut the blast reaching your body and hands.
2. Layer properly
- Base layer: moisture-wicking synthetic or merino, never cotton. See our riding shirts.
- Mid layer: a thin fleece or down vest that fits under your jacket without squashing the armor.
- Outer layer: a windproof, waterproof riding jacket and pants.
Layers trap warm air. Too many bulky layers restrict movement and push armor out of place, so go thin and effective.
3. Seal the gaps
Cold air sneaks in at the neck, wrists and ankles. Use a neck tube or balaclava, gauntlet gloves over your jacket cuffs (see short cuff vs gauntlet gloves), and boots that tuck under your pants. Close your helmet vents and fit a Pinlock insert so your visor doesn’t fog; see how to stop visor fogging.
4. Add heated gear
Heated gear powered by your bike turns a miserable winter ride into a comfortable one. Start with your hands and core, because cold hands slow your reactions and a warm core keeps blood flowing to your fingers and toes.
1. Gerbing 12V Heated Jacket Liner: best for your core
A heated liner under your jacket is the most effective way to stay warm. See our heated liners.
Pros
- Heat all day from the bike
- Slim under a jacket
Cons
- Needs wiring
2. Gerbing 12V Vanguard Heated Gloves: best for your hands
Heated gloves warm your fingers, where most riders feel the cold first. See our heated gloves.
Pros
- Warm fingers
- Waterproof
Cons
- Needs wiring
3. Koso Apollo Heated Grips: best simple upgrade
Heated grips warm your palms and pair well with good winter gloves. See our best grips.
Pros
- Always ready
- No cables to plug in
Cons
- Only warms palms
5. Keep your feet warm
Wear waterproof boots with room for a thicker wool sock; tight boots cut circulation and make feet colder. See our best motorcycle boots.
6. Look after your body
- Eat and drink: your body needs fuel to make heat. Warm drinks at stops help.
- Stop before you’re cold: take breaks every hour or so in cold weather.
- Avoid alcohol: it makes you feel warm while you lose heat faster.
- Know the signs of hypothermia: shivering, numb fingers, confusion and clumsiness mean stop and warm up. The CDC explains cold-weather risks.
Emergency warmth on the road
Caught out by a cold snap with the wrong gear? A few old tricks still work. A rain suit over your jacket blocks wind even when it’s dry. A sheet of newspaper or a plastic bag stuffed down the front of your jacket stops wind hitting your chest. Thin latex gloves under your riding gloves add a windproof layer, and a spare buff around your neck seals the biggest gap of all. At fuel stops, warm your hands on the engine cases (carefully, not the exhaust), and buy a hot drink. These are short-term fixes; if you’re shivering hard or losing feeling in your fingers, stop somewhere warm until you recover.
Quick cold-weather checklist
- Windproof jacket and pants, or a rain suit on top
- Base layer and fleece mid layer
- Neck tube or balaclava
- Winter or heated gloves, plus heated grips
- Waterproof boots with wool socks
- Pinlock visor and closed helmet vents
- Charged phone, snacks and a warm drink
7. Plan for the conditions
Check the forecast, watch for ice on shaded roads and bridges, and leave extra stopping distance; cold tires have less grip until they warm up. Read our tips on riding in the rain.
FAQ
What is the warmest thing to wear on a motorcycle?
A windproof outer layer with a heated liner underneath.
How cold is too cold to ride?
It depends on your gear and the roads. Ice is the real limit: avoid riding when roads may be icy.
Are heated grips enough?
They help a lot, but heated gloves warm your fingers better.
Can my bike power heated gear?
Most bikes can power a liner and gloves; check your charging output. See our battery guide.
The bottom line
Block the wind, layer smart, seal the gaps and add heated gear. Then keep yourself fuelled and take breaks, and cold-weather riding becomes enjoyable. Storing the bike instead? See how to winterize a motorcycle.
