I would rather have an ambient temp. gauge.

Myself, I'd rather have an Ambien and a shot of Tequelia.

I tend to view temperature gauges on motorcycles as redundant and superfluous. The rider is exposed to the elements, even on a well-faired touring rig. Whilst riding my Suzuki, the ambient temperature is never in doubt.

I don't really see a need for such gauges in cars, either, as you'll have to exit the vehicle eventually. Where you end up on a given day is usually just as warm or cold as where you departed from.

TM

A nice little gear indicator would be nice in place of it

I left Jackson, MS at 7:00 am at 67 degrees and got out of the truck 5 hours later somewhere in northern Arkansas at 40 degrees. 5 hours after that I was somewhere in central IL at 25 degrees. I ended up that night in WI and 15 degrees. It was kind of cool to watch the temps drop as I went along, so I'll disagree with the unneeded in a cage statement. I agree on a bike though.

I use to think that too, untill I mounted a thermometer.

I agree, especially in northern climates. In a cage you can start out with temps in the 40's and not notice them dropping until you hit a patch of black ice and into the ditch you go! It's nice to have a thermometer with a built in alarm at a few degrees above freezing so you are aware of what's going on outside your nice warm cocoon on a long drive.

On a bike there's only 3 temperatures anyway, sweaty, just right, or brrrrrr, and I don't need a thermometer to tell me which!

+1 for me too

I was heading back from WV last September on the bike (it was cool in the morning). By the time I got halfway through Ohio I was saying to myself - "it's feeling rather warm - mid-80's maybe". But not until I pulled off for gas near Lima did I see the temp - 98F.

That was the only time I was surprised by what I thought the temp was versus what it actually was.