Travelling at night - Dangers?

[rocketman1]

Just coming home from Tauranga the other night in the car, thinking about the poor chap that hit a cow in car at Hinuera, killed himself and injured his passenger.
I was remembering the number of times I have travelled at night, on my bike, probably too fast for the conditions, and even with the excellent lights on my SV have put myself at risk by not seeing all the obstacles that present themselves on NZ highways, like animals, cowshit, dead opposums, lumps of wood, trees, shredded truck tyres etc etc
I got thinking that probably travelling at night you are safer to travel behind a car than venturing out in front all by yourself. At least if there is an obstacle the car driver will alert the bike rider to it.
Not long ago I had to swerve to miss a large sack of wood the middle of the road on the way to Raglan, if it was dark I doubt I would have seen it.
Any thoughts on this from other night riders.

[Sentox]

I don't night ride anymore, as a policy. I had several incredibly close calls with rabbits making a run for my front wheel, and a nicely deposited cow turd causing my front to nearly tuck in a corner. I took the hint and stick to daylight now.

If I had some decent HIDs, maybe I would venture out at night, but it's not worth the money for me.

[Motu]

Motorcycle riding is just too dangerous - the sooner they ban it the better.

[george formby]

Riding at night always makes me feel amazingly alive & constantly a bit scared because of the hazards. I only ride at night if I have too now but in a perverse way love the challenge, particularly if it's belting down with rain. Sick, i know. The biggest worry for me is the dazzle from other traffic, being momentarily blinded as each vehicle goes past. Fortunately their is very little traffic up here & I usually have the road to myself.

[Love my Bonnie]

I gotta agre with GF, I love riding at night.
I live rural, so no street lights, just me & my Bonnie, alone in the dark.
What a rush!

[bogan]

well its fucking cold :cold: riding during the day now, so i'd say frostbite is a night riding danger.

[FJRider]

I have no issues with riding at night, and I have travelled thousands of km's at night. Trust your own judgement on what is safe (speed/how far/much you can see) and slow down if you don't feel safe. It helps if you know the road well, or at least know where you are going. Time seems to drag if you dont. Following another vehicle does help show you where the road goes, but dont follow too closely. (Gives you longer to register there is a reason to slow down/avoid a problem ahead)
Don't stare at the lights of on-coming vehicles (you go where you look ... REMEMBER)
Night rides CAN be a lot of fun .... and convenient for going places when daylight is in short supply. It is not always fun ... but is something that needs practice ... and patience to learn the skills necessary to do it well.

[slofox]

In the olden days I rode heaps at night - every time studying got me down I'd go for a blast through the Port Hills in the gloom of night. Nothing too untoward happened - usually - although one night the lights failed mid corner with a vertical face on my right and a million foot drop on my left (non fenced). THAT got the adrenalin buzz going...

Lighting back then wasn't much - equivalent to a single glow-worm in a tin as I recall...modern day lighting is way more betterer. I still go a little slower at night though - as Sentox said - there can be problems with livestock...

[Berries]

Love riding at night, if I am familiar with the road. if I'm not then it gets a bit heart in mouth what with all the pretty little animals trying to kill you, like cows and deer, and the odd lump of firewood sitting in the middle of the lane. Unless on full beam I have always found bike lights crap for lighting up the way ahead so being behind a car is ok for a while, if they are traveling at the same speed I want to, which invariably they aren't if I have caught up with them. Depends on how much further I have to go as to whether I overtake them or not. Once you get passed them your forward visibility drops, and then they can keep right up your arse as you have to go slower. I hate having lights shining in my mirrors distracting me.

Only one tip for night riding - use a clear visor. Got caught out again last week having to work late and then get home on unlit rural roads with a dark visor. This reminds me of another tip I heard years ago. A good way of practising riding at night without the risk is to go out during the day but ride with your eyes closed for a bit. Just 30 seconds at a time like, nothing daft.

[Sentox]

Only one tip for night riding - use a clear visor. Got caught out again last week having to work late and then get home on unlit rural roads with a dark visor.

Better yet, get a dual visor helmet. I couldn't live without one (ok, slight hyperbole, but they are great).


This reminds me of another tip I heard years ago. A good way of practising riding at night without the risk is to go out during the day but ride with your eyes closed for a bit. Just 30 seconds at a time like, nothing daft.

And if you want to go faster, just enter some hairpins at a higher speed than normal. Nothing daft, just 250kph or so.

[Gremlin]

I've done a lot of night riding and continue to do so. A good smooth technique and simply ride to the conditions (without sounding like a govt ad). I enjoy it, and it can be very peaceful

[CookMySock]

I enjoy riding at night, but I think I'd be sticking to main highways that were well swept by traffic. Heated clothing makes it much safer - to dangerous being cold at night.

Steve

[Ixion]

I enjoy night riding. I don't think it is any more dangerous than by day. Fewer cops on country roads at night so that has to be safer

[ellipsis]

A good way of practising riding at night without the risk is to go out during the day but ride with your eyes closed for a bit. Just 30 seconds at a time like, nothing daft.

...hmmmm, real clever, must duck in here know and again, see what kind of really intelligent survival skills I can glean from such people as you, like nothing daft...

[FJRider]

I enjoy night riding. I don't think it is any more dangerous than by day. Fewer cops on country roads at night so that has to be safer

Not more dangers ... just different dangers. And the cops you DO "find" are usually busy with more important issues than you ... usually ...

[FJRider]

I enjoy riding at night, but I think I'd be sticking to main highways that were well swept by traffic. Heated clothing makes it much safer - to dangerous being cold at night.

Steve

GOOD gear and a reliable motorcycle makes night riding safe as ... get one and see for yourself ...

[NighthawkNZ]

I use to enjoy riding at night when I had a good headlight... but the Ducati ST4s headlight... welll lets put it this way there are more members on KB with more light shining out ot their rear than the headlight on the duc... :-/

basically... good headlights (high and low beam) can make a difference... ride to the conditions, your abilities and judgement of how far or how well you can see etc...

[Jantar]

I enjoy riding at night. It isn't any more dangerous than riding in the daytime as long as you travel at a speed that is within your good visible distance ahead. As NighthawkNZ said "good headlights (high and low beam) can make a difference". If your bike doesn't have a powerfull and wide beam then consider adding a pair of driving lights.

Incidentally Nighthawk, did that new bulb make any difference?

[Toaster]

Nothing wrong with being a Knight Rider with a decent bit of KITT.

[Berries]

...hmmmm, real clever, must duck in here know and again, see what kind of really intelligent survival skills I can glean from such people as you, like nothing daft...
Anyone who believed that shouldn't be in charge of their feet, let alone something with a motor. Can't believe you actually thought I was serious.

[FJRider]

I use to enjoy riding at night when I had a good headlight... but the Ducati ST4s headlight... welll lets put it this way there are more members on KB with more light shining out ot their rear than the headlight on the duc... :-/



Time you spoke with a good auto sparky ... find out the options you have to get more light ... you may be supprised how easy it is without too much effort/cost ...

[Kornholio]

Not more dangers ... just different dangers. And the cops you DO "find" are usually busy with more important issues than you ... usually ...

Yeah like speedsters that dangerous that warrants a u-turn to pursue on a blind crest...sorry 3-4 point turn....

[Kornholio]

I use to enjoy riding at night when I had a good headlight... but the Ducati ST4s headlight... welll lets put it this way there are more members on KB with more light shining out ot their rear than the headlight on the duc... :-/

basically... good headlights (high and low beam) can make a difference... ride to the conditions, your abilities and judgement of how far or how well you can see etc...

OMG, I can't believe you have found something worse light-wise than the VTR... they were/are shocking...

[crazyhorse]

Day riding can have just as many unexpected obstacles as night riding. And although this chap hit a cow at night, it may only be one statistic of how many for those who ride at night versus those who ride during the day.

I actually enjoy night riding, and riding in the rain - builds up your experience and I have done heaps of both.

[NighthawkNZ]

Time you spoke with a good auto sparky ... find out the options you have to get more light ... you may be supprised how easy it is without too much effort/cost ...

its the lens and reflectors that are the problem, not the actual light... I have better bulbs etc, etc, etc... I can import a whole new aftermaket headlight unit for the ST4 series which is suppose to be better but $$$ 800 odd US...

[NighthawkNZ]

I enjoy riding at night. It isn't any more dangerous than riding in the daytime as long as you travel at a speed that is within your good visible distance ahead. As NighthawkNZ said "good headlights (high and low beam) can make a difference". If your bike doesn't have a powerfull and wide beam then consider adding a pair of driving lights.

Incidentally Nighthawk, did that new bulb make any difference?

Yes makes a little difference... :) but will admit haven't done a lot of Night Riding since the SR Rally...

[CookMySock]

Day riding can have just as many unexpected obstacles as night riding.This is true, but at night you can't really see small stuff on the road. If you clip something theres not really much you can do about it.

A modern compliant suspension will save you somewhat - potholes and other a-little-bigger nasties can mostly be just ridden over. Non-compliant suspension turns little bumps into badass ones.

Dark coloured animals on the road are a bad fright even in the car. I don't think I'd be able to relax while riding on back country roads after dark.

Steve

[Sentox]

Day riding can have just as many unexpected obstacles as night riding. And although this chap hit a cow at night, it may only be one statistic of how many for those who ride at night versus those who ride during the day.

It was rural Hawkes Bay that put me off. Sure, the unexpected can happen in the day, but at nighttime, the effect of your headlight coming along compels a lot of animals (mostly rabbits) to make a suicide run. In the car, that's great, gives you something to aim for. Not so much on the bike.

[dogsnbikes]

I enjoy night riding as the trumpy has awesome headlights,the weridest thing that I have encounted at night was a opussum latching onto my left leg for about a k,even duing the day I have encounted a stag on the road and been T-boned by a wood pigion,understand your surroundings and possible hazards,personally I think a country road at night is safer than during the day

[crazyhorse]

This is true, but at night you can't really see small stuff on the road. If you clip something theres not really much you can do about it.

A modern compliant suspension will save you somewhat - potholes and other a-little-bigger nasties can mostly be just ridden over. Non-compliant suspension turns little bumps into badass ones.

Dark coloured animals on the road are a bad fright even in the car. I don't think I'd be able to relax while riding on back country roads after dark.

Steve
One would think you would be riding to the conditions - which is sticking to the speed limit or less (depending on the road conditions). I have not had any visibility problems on country roads, in fact, I feel you can see more as you can have your headlights on full.

I've come around a corner in broad daylight and nearly rear ended a bunch of heiffer cows - and this was with plenty of daylight visible.

[crazyhorse]

It was rural Hawkes Bay that put me off. Sure, the unexpected can happen in the day, but at nighttime, the effect of your headlight coming along compels a lot of animals (mostly rabbits) to make a suicide run. In the car, that's great, gives you something to aim for. Not so much on the bike.

I was taught to ride with the motto of "always expect the unexpected" I ride expecting something to jump out, not ride complacently. Yeah, we do have lots of rabbits etc but they can be on the road in daylight too - have had one jump 3 foot in the air before he decided which way he was gonna go, and that was daylight - have also come around a corner in shade of trees and hit a block of wood - wouldn't probably have seen that at night either. But the point I was trying to make was to be more aware at night, but not put off at riding

[george formby]

The same rules apply at night as during the day, travel at a safe speed to react to dangers, for me with mediocre headlights a fair bit slower. I can see further through a left hand bend than a right which feels like riding into an abyss when the bike tips in. I had to regularly commute 150k at night a while ago & got into the habit of watching the reflectors on the road side to show where the road was going. They light up a long way ahead & act like a long distance vanishing point.
A warm night with clean roads & absolutely no traffic is magic, just the engine, wind rush & a bloody great moth exploding on the visor.

[schrodingers cat]

Many years ago I used to work night shift and finish at midnight. I'd leap on the bike and head on up the road (Ingill/Hedgehope/Mataura). It was VERY rare to encounter ANY traffic on the 80km blast

On clear moonlit nights the headlight seemed to restrict vision to what was is its cone and everything else outside was a mystery.
I'd turn the lighs off and ride by moonlight.

I'd don't know if I'd do it now but back then it just felt perfect.

[Ixion]

Yep. Lights off worked better than Joe Lucas's candle.

A big single on song, no headlamp and a good moon on a lonely road is as magical as motorcycles gets.

Still is, but its harder to find the roads.nowadays.

A caveat though - turn the headlamp off, but make sure to leave the taillamp lit

[MSTRS]

Riding at night on the GSXR is probably safer than in the Commode...better lights on the Suzuki.

[rocketman1]

The SV has a very wide flat beam so it shines the sides of the road well, which is great for turning corners, you can actually light the way you are turning.
Came back from Taupo in the dark a few months back travelling pretty quick, seemed to be little problems, but that is on a wide well travelled highway, if I was not on SH1 I would have been travelling alot more cautiously.
The biggest issue was the midges/ sandflies on my visor, looked like it was near totally obscured by the buggers.

[ellipsis]

...hmmmm, real clever, must duck in here know and again, see what kind of really intelligent survival skills I can glean from such people as you, like nothing daft...


Anyone who believed that shouldn't be in charge of their feet, let alone something with a motor. Can't believe you actually thought I was serious.


.....I couldnt give a toss at all about your silly comment, just where it's posted. I wouldn't have looked at all if a 15 year old hadn't asked me if it was serious....bit like telling a four year old that a box of matches are safe.

[Sis]

Many years ago I used to work night shift and finish at midnight. I'd leap on the bike and head on up the road (Ingill/Hedgehope/Mataura). It was VERY rare to encounter ANY traffic on the 80km blast

On clear moonlit nights the headlight seemed to restrict vision to what was is its cone and everything else outside was a mystery.
I'd turn the lighs off and ride by moonlight.

I'd don't know if I'd do it now but back then it just felt perfect.

It is still just as great! Just choose the time and place. Good moon , great road and no traffic.

I was out on a ride at night several weeks back when I lost low beam. At different stages I rode on no beam (I only have high and low beam which wasn't there) as I thought my high beam would be annoying the rider in front.
OK I was safe enough as I had a rider ahead and another behind.
It was bloody fantastic.
You still see all the shapes and movements, just not in colour. Gives you a real buzz

[Berries]

Hope a 15 year old doesn't read that.