Riding in the dark
 

Ive been invited out one evening next week and wont be drinking alcohol so i'd like to take the bike but ive not ridden in the dark before and i am a bit concerned about it.
Not sure why, probably just because i am a single mum and maybe it seems like an unnecessary risk, so i was wondering what your thoughts are on it, or what advice you can offer.
The main route is down a lengthy stretch of the A1 and i can't decide whether thats safer than the back roads. It may be that i'm worrying unnecessarily and am talking nonsense (happens quite a lot, you know :-)) but i'd appreciate your thoughts.
I have a reflective hi-vis waistcoat which i'd wear, what else can i do to make myself more visible.
Thanks x

Re: Riding in the dark
 

If you're concerned then stay to the A1. Lane postioning is key on dual carriageways and m-ways imho. DOnt act like a scooter and hog the inside lane kerb. Stick to the speed close to the limit you are happy with and observe good lane manners.

Clean your headlight glass before you set off, suprising what crud collects on it and how much it can affect brightness.

Have a jolly tune to hum to yourself cos long miles in the dark can become dull.

above all enjoy it as a new bit of riding skill you are acquiring :)

Re: Riding in the dark
 

Night riding if nothing to worry about, on back roads (unlit) it can be challenging and great fun, but that's not what you're asking here.

couple of tips,
if doing any distance stop fequently, tiredness creeps in easily.
make sure you visor (glasses as well if you wear them) are as clean as possible, as headlights "flare" otherwise
check your lights are clean & clear
positive road position (don't ride in by the curb)
try to vary your speed and revs as the monotone effect can become somewhat hypnotic

Hope that helps

Cheers Mark.

Re: Riding in the dark
 

I like riding at night, theres a kind of solitude to it that you dont get during the day.

As Spidey says, make sure your headlghts are clean, the other thing is make sure your visor on your helmet is nice and clean to.

Just ride at your own speed and dont be sucked into going faster than you want to. Speed can be quite deceptive in the dark.

Re: Riding in the dark
 

I find riding at night to be pleasurable, and another advantage is advanced warning of traffic from the other direction IE by the glow of the lights well before you would normally see them in daytime or indeed at dawn or dusk.

all above advice is also duplicated by me.

clean visor is essential and don't forget to take some means of cleaning it as well , in case you get caught in a shower where wagons ETC can readily cover your visor in crud very quickly.

Enjoy the experience :D

Re: Riding in the dark
 

I know this isn't 'cool' but a reflective strap/jacket will make you very noticeable and might give you more peace of mind.

Re: Riding in the dark
 

Doh, that'll teach me to skim read posts - I see you already have one! Good luck.

Re: Riding in the dark
 

My eyesight is poo. Its even worse in the dark.
After a day out in the Lakes last week, I rode home, on my own, on the A65 which has large sections of it unlit. I have decided to get some brighter bulbs,,preferably a HID kit :-) ( Not really but now i can see the appeal) Curvy lights are indeeeed CARP. :-(
At first when the dark set in I was terrified, as I don't do much riding on unlit rodes. It was the first time I've ever used my hi beams! I rode to my own capabilites, got accustomed in own way, and if I had someone parked up my bum, because they didn't know what was going on in my head, I just found the nearest village with lights and pulled over in a safe place and let them past, then once they were gone carried on my way. At first moths and bugs in the headlights were a bit odd, but you get used to them. Don't try running over ducks stood in the road and don't be scared. Hi viz vest a great idea
I understand the thinking of 'mum first bike later' I was until last year a single mum.
I don't so cartwheels for anyone, only for myself :-)

Re: Riding in the dark
 

from observing bikes at night, sometimes the head or tail lights can get lost if there's a car close behind or in front. The bike light can look like one of the car lights.

If you're approaching a junction and you think someone may not have seen you, weave a little from left to right. It makes the lights move differently and helps you to be distinguished from whoever is following you.

Re: Riding in the dark
 

oncoming lights can be very distracting especially when they don't dip their lights. I had to slow down on several occasions on Wednesday just to see where I was going, as I'd been blinded.

Re: Riding in the dark
 

+1 to everything thats already been said.

Ride at your own pace.
Dominate the road.
Be visable.

But. And it's a BIG but, if you aren't feeling too confident/happy about doing that distance in the dark and you don't have to take your bike, then don't.

Being a Mum is an important thing, in my opinion, motorcycling comes a definite 2nd place in priority when you have children.

If you decide not to go, just go out early one evening, until it starts getting dark, ride until you're no-longer comfortable doing so depending on light levels and maybe build it up! You confidence will grow with it!!

Be safe!

Re: Riding in the dark
 

Try riding at night through pitch black country back roads that are windy and fun, with only the headlight of a CG125 to guide the way, now that's scary. You'll be fine!

Re: Riding in the dark
 

learn to 'fast blink' doing this will get you eyes accustomed to the dark quicker, its very good after a 'glare' from on coming lights.

as said above clean headlights, slower pace, and make yourself noticeable. apart from that there is nothing to worry about and is actually quite enjoyable as there is less traffic on the roads.

Re: Riding in the dark
 

Rubbish that's a proper headlight :p
The 6V electrics on my AR50... now that was a different story :smt004

Re: Riding in the dark
 

+1 to everything here spot on
just a note to add, if your worried about visability of yourself, wear a hi-vis jacket. But generally when I ride in the dark I think cars notice you MORE than in the day light. At night they dont look for moving objects just moving lights, which bikes tend to have bloody bright so you'll be fine :D enjoy the solitude of a night bimble can be quite rewarding.

Re: Riding in the dark
 

+1 to everything and

. . . get yourself some good bulbs

Osram night breakers
http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/h4-...-pr-17118.html

Or the better philips extreme powers are very, very good
http://www.autobulbsdirect.co.uk/h4-...-pr-16781.html


and a good coloured sidelight bulb attract attention (although not strictly legal)

These mods are a must foir me commuting on busy A-roads such as the A272/A21

Also learning to use your passing lights.

Re: Riding in the dark
 

Night tip riding -

Ride Faster, the roads are clearer!!!!!

tbh, I think people are vastly over complicating things. Do this, do that, don't do this....

Just get on the bike, and ride. Its no different from daylight riding, expect its dark.......... I've made most of my records in the dark.


Now dark AND raining AND traffic AND dirty visor, thats another story....

Re: Riding in the dark
 

ok i'll bite, what are passing lights and how should you use them?

Re: Riding in the dark
 

I belive it to be those things that flash when you knock the toggle on the left hand switch gear? I could be wrong. ;)

Re: Riding in the dark
 

I realise this - i just don't understand how they should be used at night, any different to during the day. I also wondered why its labelled PASS when its blatantly just the headlight full beam flasher. So I was curious as to the intended purpose and "correct" usage at night.

Re: Riding in the dark
 

ROFL
I was refering to the indicators, I completly forgot about the pass trigger.

ME
:stupid:

But +1 why would flashing someone so they cant see anything cos you blinded them from their mirror be a good idea as you ride past. It would make more sense if it temporally dimmed your lights so they could see your indicators clearly in their mirrors.

Re: Riding in the dark
 

Generally, I think its safer riding at night as cars do see the headlights where they might miss seeing the bike.

Re: Riding in the dark
 

Been there done that...got the T-Shirt...used it to wipe my visor :lol:

But yeah...just take it easy...ride at your own pace...above all RELAX...because if you are tense you won't be focussing properly...

That being said, I pulled a super nutcase move...first time I ever rode a bike on the street it was at night at highway speeds...The SV was my first bike...it ROCKS!!! :rolleyes:

Re: Riding in the dark
 

Beware of deer!

Don't try and avoid small stuff like rabbits as you'll usually do more harm avoiding it than you would hitting it and you're pretty unlikely to actually hit it anyway. but definitely try to avoid Deer. And they usually come in two's.

On my most deer infested bits I tend to catch a car and sit behind it for a while so it acts as a buffer.

A bit of animal advice I got a while back was "If you wouldn't eat it in one sitting, try to avoid hitting it"

Apart form that, pretty much what everyone else said. Clean your visor and ride like you would do normally.

Re: Riding in the dark
 

Night rides are the best, the road is yours, your right hand is in control and there are hardly any risks of been run off the road by a cager. Many of my most memorable rides were night rides.

Wear your hi-vis it's a good idea, clean your lights, make sure you stop if you feel tired at all, if your doing the A1, get some music to keep you going.

Most of all, enjoy...

Re: Riding in the dark
 

As you are approaching a car to overtake, as you cross the hazard lines/centre line and you are directly in line the drivers’ door mirror (about 2-3 car lengths back) you flick the yellow front switch on your left switchgear quickly and it flashes your high beam.

What this does is make a flash in the mirror so the driver notices you, but doesn't blind them; you see them do it in cars on top gear from time-to-time. This makes a huge difference to the number of drivers who actually see you and give you space.

They don’t mention it on tests now a days, but it is good practice for safe, fast riding.

Re: Riding in the dark
 

Headlights are good, seeing the road, even an unlit backroad on the darkest of nights, isn't an issue. The main difference is that a bike is much less noticeable, and that as a rider you cannot make that comforting eye-contact with a driver at a side junction so easily (if at all). You have to be much more cautious when it comes to other traffic, and assume you have not been seen much more often than you would in the daylight.

Re: Riding in the dark
 

I used to be worried about riding in the dark when i first started. There's really nothing to worry about.
I go for pleasure rides in the evenings a few times during the week, and usually wear my high visibility waistcoat to be seen more easily, and for peace of mind.

Just watch out on the lanes because potholes are harder to see. I find myself usually doing 30mph in 60mph limits, but in 30mph limits its not any different.

Try not to overthink things. I made this mistake by getting myself worked up about riding on a dual carriageway for the first time. It caused me to be very tense, and before i got to the DC, i pulled out on a car at a mini roundabout because my head wasnt in the right place. I then pulled over for a few mins to sort myself out, then went ahead on the A12 and wondered what on earth i was worrying about in the first place!

Re: Riding in the dark
 

Thanks Gavin. That was the information I was after, as you're right, they don't teach it nowadays. Or even back in the dim mists of time when they taught me.

Re: Riding in the dark
 

Thats totally new to me, but perfectly understandable.

Re: Riding in the dark
 

of course its different to riding in daylight, your reactions and senses are much different riding in th dark. People aren't overly complicating things, they are just posting how they feel about riding. I certainly hate riding in the dark, and only last week did an epic ride on the type roads the OP is worried about, plus I'm pretty certain if we sat in a room our feelings would mirror each other, she mentions being a single mum, riding in itself is a different thing all together to a single guy.....and that really isn't a load a bull, I really do know what she is getting at on that one.
I'm not getting at you, I just think your post is a little abrupt for advice thats needed for someone thats new.;)

This is one of the things that frightened me the most riding down the A65. Its the org legend of Dizzy ramming straight through bambi and living to tell the tale, but to go down the same stratch of road in the dark, kinda reallly spooked me..........then a duck appeears on a stretch just before the 'deer' incident...yes..:smt107a duck! It were stood in my headlight like some zombie in a horror movie, just stood, in my line, I'm sure with an evil stare. Bleddy scared the bejezzus out of me, I was expecting something much larger, but i did laugh after I'd slammed on the brakes and realised I'd let it go by a hares whisker!

Re: Riding in the dark
 

During my trainging i asked and they told me the same thing as gavin just said. Its a good thing to use at the right time.

Re: Riding in the dark
 

Or you could just use those little things called indicators that do the same thing?

REALLY winds me up, when im overtaking traffic, to have some tw4t commuter on his 1-2 day bike stint "cos its sunny" who flies past the oncoming traffic without a care in the world.... No indicators, so all of a sudden see a bike popout from behined a car with no thought but for themselves... Meanwhile im mid overtake...

can't say i've ever flashed anyone, i just use the appropriate signal on my bike... Indicators n mirrors...

Re: Riding in the dark
 

No, its not, your reactions and senses are EXACTLY the same unless your riding asleep or not paying attention. People are over complicating things. Do this, do that, wear this, look out for that...

So this new bikers going on their night ride, with a millions things popping in their head from "the experts"..

When in fact your mind should be clear, eyesight good, and go out and ride, and deal with any hazzard as you would in the daylight.

Night time riding is easier, especially on roads, as you can see on-coming car lights much earlier than you can in the daytime. Only issue is you might find a fox jump out on you...

Abruptness is how YOU read it, not how its posted.. they are mear words on a screen, without abuse. Its straight and to the point, simplez.

Re: Riding in the dark
 

But that rellys on the driver actually using their mirrors in the first place and knowing you're there and watching at the exact moment you turn you indys on. A quick flash simply catches their attention and makes them notice you at the right moment.
Not all car drivers are at good as using their mirrors as you are Damio ;)

Re: Riding in the dark
 

I suppose if you only use your indicators in the dark, the driver you are over taking won't necessarily see the flashing one, as its on the opposite side to his mirror. The passing button is a lot more noticeable

But then I don't overtake in the dark...so I won't be using that much. Always wodered what it was for.

Re: Riding in the dark
 

I have to agree with Daimo on this.

It is good practice in daylight or at night to do this, to attract the other driver's attention. I do it all the time*. Do not flash other drivers to make them move, just to help make them aware of your intention to overtake. Especially useful with lorries who may not have noticed you catching them up.

EDIT: Where appropriate

Re: Riding in the dark
 

So far as I can see, a duck is a single sitting meal (all be it quite ambitious) so
do not take overly drastic action to avoid. Obviously far easier said than done....

Re: Riding in the dark
 

+1
I don't like animals that appear as if by magic, they seem to like doing that it seems:rolleyes:
Its funny as I didn't swerve to avoid it, I just ploughed on ahead(see the pattern here) but as I was getting twitchy by this time, because of the last 'incident' and it being dark, I just jammed on the brake a bit(which was naughty)

I seem to remember 'ooo F** a duck' then :smt042, as I called myself a silly billy, caused a bit of a steamy visor did that:smt053

Re: Riding in the dark
 

anyone read motorcycle roadcraft?... its all in there. i learnt roadcraft over 18 years ago for work, and it is taught as PART of the passing manuvre (sorry, the headlight flash thing).

get a copy of it off amazon. its a good read if you want to improve your riding/driving style, and gives you a good "system" to work to.night driving included