Guest Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 HiJust thought I'd pick all the expert brains on here and see if anyone would mond giving advice as to riding at night.I ride along country lanes every day in the dark, and am finding it a bit stressful. I'm sure I'll get better with time and practice, and it doesn't help that the main beam on the CBR125 is only 35W, but if anyone has any advice or tips I'd be grateful!Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slugworth1987 Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 a high vis jacket, slow ride and try to dig out a HID/Xeon replacment bulbs.also ride with full beam as much as possable to light up the road a little bit... sould try adding a HID light on a sepret switch as a floodd light i guess... haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 Have a read mate,some useful stuffhttp://www.motorcycle-training.f2s.com/ ... iding.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest philgale Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 if i know the road i ride as i would in the light, adds to the adrenalin rush Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomW Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 make sure your lights are clean can make a hell of a difference! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 20, 2008 Share Posted October 20, 2008 I was riding a familiar day time road the other night and I was missing the bends, couldn't see the verge, dazzled by oncoming cars - in short it wasn't much fun!I decided my dipped heads weren't good enough and thought about the brighter upgrade, but I don't want to scorch oncoming cars and I don't want to suddenly be plunged into darkness when I dip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boot Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 It's very obvious to see when other road users are approaching, so why do people wait until you actually in view before they knock off their full beam? I've noticed this reluctance seems to be greater when the oncoming vehicle is a motorbike. I can understand why many bikers do not light riding at night.I'm no expert by any means on a bike, however I cover around 30k a year as a car driver so think I'm qualified enough to advise on night driving. I often pick country roads over busier road in the winter to help keep me alert on long journeys and there's regularly somewhere to pull over if you need to.I'm new to biking and currently feel is't worth adding an extra mile or two to my journey and stick to busier roads where there's less change from pitch black to bright light all the time. If that's not an option, you'll find it easier keeping a safe distance behind a cager - their braking and advance warning of bends and obstructions makes it much easier and safer to get to where you're going.Keep an eye as far in to the distance you can, the path of other road users light can help you determine where your road is going in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
techno Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 Remember when its dark those headlights behind could be the police, in the daylight you can tell! Oh and riding at night in rain is a real pain a decent rain repellant is a good idea too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 I reguarly ride round at night but I too notice that once you are off the main roads things go TOTALLY pitch black, i mean my advice would simply be not to race around at all, just keep it simple. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 2, 2008 Share Posted December 2, 2008 keep the lights clean and your visor as well upgrade bulb ... take your time you may not see that hazard until your on it ....Get your headlight aim checked as it could be too low or set to one side especially if the bike used to carry a pillion etc all the time previous as the aim would be adjusted with the extar weight in mind Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissb6 Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 My tip goes as follow's 1 Clean clear scratch free visor is a must, a scratched visor is just a nightmare for glare.Never look directly into oncoming headlights.2 Regarding lighting upgrades for the front, i've done quite a bit of research into this and a i've tested a few. Top lights by a long way are H.I.D's i've got them fitted on my Bimota nothing comes near them. be careful with the colour 6500k l think is the best for driving, power consumption is only 35w. Don't be thrown by all the bull you'll read about halogen lights giving the same light output and colour as H.I.D. H.I.D give way pass the light anything a halogen can do. i've tried and test numerous halogen lamps there are some good one's, but one thing you have to be very care of is, don't go pass the wattage limit of the light fitting 65watt is the max norm. Note: serious damage can be done to the switches, wiring and the light fitting if you go over the top.3 Also on lighting make sure the rear is working also.Hi vis gear will make you be seen but, will not make you any safer with your riding.Don't get complacant, be ready for the unexpected, broken down unlit lorry's, car, skips, horse muck and bloody rabbits to name but a few.Stay Safe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crumley Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 I don't ride at night as my insurance policy states bike has tobe locked up between 10pm and 6pm since I'm a new rider Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissb6 Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 Never heard of that one what ever next You should be able to ride whenever you want. Are you sure about this?.They always state that, the machine needs to parked off road and secure, but riding time restricitions that l've never heard of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 I don't ride at night as my insurance policy states bike has tobe locked up between 10pm and 6pm since I'm a new riderNever heard of that one what ever next You should be able to ride whenever you want. Are you sure about this?.They always state that, the machine needs to parked off road and secure, but riding time restricitions that l've never heard of. Thats his ASBO curfew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 I don't ride at night as my insurance policy states bike has tobe locked up between 10pm and 6pm since I'm a new rider Are you sure thats not "If your bike gets stolen between 10 and 6 from your premises and its not locked in your garage they wont pay up" Or maybe the proff is right Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted October 14, 2009 Share Posted October 14, 2009 I once had to ride home at night while it was snowing. Worst drive of my life as in addition to the slippery conditions and cross winds, the snow was building up on my visor which greatly reduces visibility even further, and my fingertips were in agony. I was doing about 25mph (normaly close to 90) along the motorway but I had to get home. Needless to say I didn't bother traveling back through it to work the next day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin the Bear Posted October 17, 2009 Share Posted October 17, 2009 Night vision can be seriously affected by diet. No No not the eat carrots thing. Making sure you are getting certain vitamins will bring your eye sight up to scratch.Them yellow glasses can help too http://www.uk-autotech.co.uk/product26160_59818.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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