Riding in the dark
Discussion
I'd like to ask the more experienced riders here to share their thoughts about riding in the dark. I am fine with riding at dusk (I quite like it actually, feels good) and I am fine with riding in the dark if it's a main road, well lit - but I have to be honest and say that I don't particularly like riding in the dark in badly lit roads.
I find that instead of being able to alternate between scanning the road in front of you and looking to the vanishing point, that my focus is taken up by looking for clues as to how the road flows and that I am not able to scan the road closer to me.
I don't have any problem noticing something like a bit of debris in the road, but I find that in the dark, man hole covers and the like tend to sneak up on me, leaving me better off riding over them and praying, rather than a panicked last minute reaction.
Has anyone else been through this or is it all part of the course? Any advice to offer us newbies?
Cheers,
Soss
I find that instead of being able to alternate between scanning the road in front of you and looking to the vanishing point, that my focus is taken up by looking for clues as to how the road flows and that I am not able to scan the road closer to me.
I don't have any problem noticing something like a bit of debris in the road, but I find that in the dark, man hole covers and the like tend to sneak up on me, leaving me better off riding over them and praying, rather than a panicked last minute reaction.
Has anyone else been through this or is it all part of the course? Any advice to offer us newbies?
Cheers,
Soss
Riding in the dark, particularly on unlit roads, will always require that you take things a little slower than you would during daylight. This will give you more time to react to things (like man-hole covers) but riding over man-hole covers when relaxed and riding smoothly is actually not too bad and will definitely be safer/better than a panic stricken, stiff armed haul in the bars in an attempt to avoid.
A good headlight is essential with both a broad spread and good ‘distance’. Larger wattage bulbs or HID conversion are very worthwhile upgrades but do check if relays etc. are required. Most importantly, check that the headlight glass is clean as you will be amazed how much light can be lost but to a dirty lens.
When on the road, positioning is very important. You can use more of the road (assuming there is not traffic around you) as anything approaching you will be seen for some distance due to its lights. Using more of the road allows you to get more light around bends and thus to see that little bit further.
You should always ride according to what you can see and when it’s dark you can see less!
A good headlight is essential with both a broad spread and good ‘distance’. Larger wattage bulbs or HID conversion are very worthwhile upgrades but do check if relays etc. are required. Most importantly, check that the headlight glass is clean as you will be amazed how much light can be lost but to a dirty lens.
When on the road, positioning is very important. You can use more of the road (assuming there is not traffic around you) as anything approaching you will be seen for some distance due to its lights. Using more of the road allows you to get more light around bends and thus to see that little bit further.
You should always ride according to what you can see and when it’s dark you can see less!
black-k1 said:
Riding in the dark, particularly on unlit roads, will always require that you take things a little slower than you would during daylight. This will give you more time to react to things (like man-hole covers) but riding over man-hole covers when relaxed and riding smoothly is actually not too bad and will definitely be safer/better than a panic stricken, stiff armed haul in the bars in an attempt to avoid.
A good headlight is essential with both a broad spread and good ‘distance’. Larger wattage bulbs or HID conversion are very worthwhile upgrades but do check if relays etc. are required. Most importantly, check that the headlight glass is clean as you will be amazed how much light can be lost but to a dirty lens.
When on the road, positioning is very important. You can use more of the road (assuming there is not traffic around you) as anything approaching you will be seen for some distance due to its lights. Using more of the road allows you to get more light around bends and thus to see that little bit further.
You should always ride according to what you can see and when it’s dark you can see less!
Excellent post I try to pick the bike up early out of the corners because to the lights are designed for when you upright not banked and knee down light RossiA good headlight is essential with both a broad spread and good ‘distance’. Larger wattage bulbs or HID conversion are very worthwhile upgrades but do check if relays etc. are required. Most importantly, check that the headlight glass is clean as you will be amazed how much light can be lost but to a dirty lens.
When on the road, positioning is very important. You can use more of the road (assuming there is not traffic around you) as anything approaching you will be seen for some distance due to its lights. Using more of the road allows you to get more light around bends and thus to see that little bit further.
You should always ride according to what you can see and when it’s dark you can see less!
t. I've added some cheapy additional lights but the only ones I could find that were a sensible size are fog lights, these give a really good spread of light but obviously not much distance. Great on narrow twisties, not so good on more open roads.My bike's OEM lights were awful, and riding in the dark was positively dangerous until I fitted a HID conversion.
With HID kits being so cheap now, they really are a no-brainer.
The difference is amazing, and you don't really need to change your riding habits once you can see where you're going properly
With HID kits being so cheap now, they really are a no-brainer.
The difference is amazing, and you don't really need to change your riding habits once you can see where you're going properly
My thundercat lights were absolute pants.
Even on full beam you couldnt see much.
The GSXR's lights are dazzlingly bright, i'd say standard beam on the GSXR is a shed load brighter than the full beam on the cat!
I quite like riding at night as it's a different challenge, only downside is getting dazzled by all the cage drivers who never drip their lights!
Even on full beam you couldnt see much.
The GSXR's lights are dazzlingly bright, i'd say standard beam on the GSXR is a shed load brighter than the full beam on the cat!
I quite like riding at night as it's a different challenge, only downside is getting dazzled by all the cage drivers who never drip their lights!
mitzy said:
So, what is a good site for these HID conversion kits then , anyone know ?
E-bay is a pretty good place to start. You may also want to check out
http://www.hid50.com/
though they are a little on the pricey side.
Do remember that fitting an HID conversion (which I have) may leave you open to a Construction & Use tug from plod.
black-k1 said:
mitzy said:
So, what is a good site for these HID conversion kits then , anyone know ?
E-bay is a pretty good place to start. You may also want to check out
http://www.hid50.com/
though they are a little on the pricey side.
Do remember that fitting an HID conversion (which I have) may leave you open to a Construction & Use tug from plod.
Thanks mate , will check the site out.
Sorry, just been thinking about this, so if your taking steps to be seen more clearly, plod wont like it?
Is'nt this an inprovement to safety?
Edited by mitzy on Monday 15th September 15:06
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