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How To Be Ride Your Motorcycle At Night Safely.

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Night Riding Motorcycles (continued)

Think Ahead

Just before you depart for a ride at night, you’ll want to do some last-minute preparations. When the sun goes down, it takes the heat with it, so dress warmly or bring along your jacket liner and other layers. Just because you’re comfortable when you leave doesn’t mean you’ll still be warm when the temperature plummets in a few hours.

If you wear a full-face helmet, make sure it has a clean, clear visor (though some people like riding with a yellow tint at night). Ditto for your eye protection, if you’re going to be wearing sunglasses or goggles. Make sure your visor or goggles are free of scratches and smudges. A mar in the lens will light up like a Christmas tree when oncoming headlights hit it.

The next time you start up your bike, pay attention to your dashboard indicator lights. Know where each one is and what it stands for. If one of those lights comes on at night, it will be much brighter and may startle you, especially if you don’t know what it means.

Adjust Your Riding

You’ll need to use some different techniques while riding at night. Here are our suggestions:

• Use the headlights of other vehicles traveling in the same direction as you, so you can see farther down the road. It’s free, and it works.
• Don’t over-ride your headlights, meaning don’t ride outside your range of sight. You’ll probably have to ride a bit slower than you do during the day.
• When you’re hit with the headlights of oncoming vehicles, avert your eyes to the right. This will keep you from getting temporarily blinded, and will help you stay on your path.
• Be extra alert for animals that are known to enjoy traveling at night, like Bambi and Thumper and their friend Sam the Armadillo (don’t ask).
• When approaching a stoplight, tap your brake lever a few times to make sure it’s visible to anyone behind you. And while you’re waiting at the stoplight, flash your taillight to alert approaching vehicles.
• Use your horn and high beam lights only when necessary. There’s no sense in upsetting other motorists when all you’re trying to do is better communicate your location.
• Get plenty of rest and stop riding if you’re drowsy. Take a walk around, kick the tires, do whatever it takes to bring yourself back to alertness.

Final Thoughts

For riding in the rain on a bike equipped with a windshield, one thought comes to mind: good luck. Every drop of water will shine like a star when light is refracted through it. You might want to try using a rain-repellent coating on your windshield or face shield to keep it free of drops. This is a good tip for driving your car in the rain, too.

We mentioned large animals earlier, but don’t forget the small ones. Bugs are nighttime party animals, and you’re likely to find the front parts of your bike coated with the tiny critters at the end of an evening ride. But if you’re vigilant about waxing the front of your bike, the bugs will come off easier the next time you clean it.

Perhaps the most annoying bug that comes out at night is the human party animal. A drunk behind the wheel of a three-ton SUV is the bane of humanity. Unfortunately, there’s no repellent for this type of beast, but you can at least be on the lookout for its weaving, erratic driving.

Above all, remember that you’re always at a disadvantage when it comes to being seen and recognized by other motorists, especially at night. So, if you choose to ride after dark, get yourself in a defensive frame of mind. Use the right gear, and take extra care while riding.