Night riding/driving

[Dont_die_wondering]

anyone here like driving/riding at night rather then day? , i mean on a fine night, i find driving quite relaxing,and theres less people on the road,plus its quiet, it can be a refreshing change :yes:

[Sketchy_Racer]

Yeah i love riding at night......

Dunno why?

[ZorsT]

No cagers to get in my way...

Its GREAT!

I enjoy it more if i know the road though. Visibility is the only bad thing :)

[Dont_die_wondering]

i think this calls for a poll :)

[hXc]

If the weather is fine and I know the road then definately night. If it's a quiet, still night and not too cold then I will sometimes go for a quick blat. It's refreshing!

[beyond]

On a fine night I don't mind. Visibility at speed is the only problem and glare off your visor from oncomings. Prefer daytime as you can see any threats from all around. Black cows, on blind conrers at night aren't a good mix with bikes. :(

[Madness]

I much prefer to ride my bike during daylight hours. For some reason however I prefer to drive long distance in the car (traffic, less distraction etc).

[Maha]

Daytime for me, reason is cos i have two new lens implants and headlights give me a sparkly laser light thing, would suit some i know but its a bit annoying, at least during the day i have my tinted viser and or sunny's...:cool:

[paturoa]

my eyes are a bit sus at nite so prefer day

[oldguy]

don't mind riding at nite, ride abit slower, alright if you know the road helps heaps still have to be careful have a tendency (hope I spelt that right)to out ride the headlights if you go too fast

[Timber020]

Daytime, can see better whether its wet or gravel on the road or someone dunkin donuts and wondering if there quota will be kept with such little traffic.

[Goblin]

I love to ride at night if it's not raining....like last night:eek5: and only in warmer months too. Had some incredible night rides with a group of 4-5 other mates:gob: The Old Te Aroha rd is a great one. Anywhere there's big whoop-de-do's you can see if there's anything coming so can give it a bit:blip: I like to go last with this particular group of mates and we space ourselves out so can see further ahead.

On the downside you do have to be very weary of wandering stock and possums, rabbits, hares and even hedgehogs:yes: When you see them, try to NOT keep looking at them, or you will hit them, which makes a mess.

[Hitcher]

The best part of the Grand Challenge is the night stage. It's indescribable being out riding when the world wakes up.

[Motu]

I enjoy riding and driving at night,it's nice to have good lights....but I've done it without.

[Zed]

anyone here like driving/riding at night rather then day? , i mean on a fine night, i find driving quite relaxing,and theres less people on the road,plus its quiet, it can be a refreshing change :yes: Yes it is a refreshing change, but there's no way i'll ever like it over day riding! Night riding is far more dangerous, and because of reduced vision you can't ride as fast and open the bike up as much as you might in the daylight...i guess if you're a Nana rider you'll probably prefer the nite! :blip:

[justsomeguy]

I don't mind either. I'm equally "bad" at either time. :lol:

[Storm]

Either or, I ride cautiously at either time, nutters are out there 24/7

[Shadows]

I do sometimes like a night fang on the bike but I'll stay away from the the twisties, you can't see enough of the road surface. Especially important at this time of year.
Preference is definately for day time on the bike.

The cage is a different story, I love driving at night. Possums, squashed hedgehogs and other shit on your line aren't so much of a problem, and you can see the reflection of oncoming headlights on corners before you would normally know about an oncoming vehicle during the day. And usually there is less traffic.
The only real downside is that it is harder to read the upcoming road direction on blind bends from telegraph poles and poplar trees on the more unfamiliar country roads at night, you have to start gauging the intensity of bends on how close together they've put the roadside markers, which isn't always reliable.

I find that Mr. Plod parked up is easier to spot at night, whereas Mr. Plod on the road is easier to spot during the day.

[onearmedbandit]

Love doing Christchurch-Akaroa-Christchurch at night, fucking rocks. No traffic (had the whole Akaroa Hill to myself last time I went), you know when you can amp it up (no car lights) and the feeling of pushing it at night is unreal.

Of course this is all done on closed roads with a recee run to check the surface is clear of any obstacles.......yadda yadda yadda. Yeah right.

[T.W.R]

Yep far more enjoyable at night :yes: bikes go better in the cooler night air, less traffic.
And on long haul rides theres nothing better than seeing the sun come up (The Kaikora coast is magic on a clear morning) and up on the summit rd at night is great especially if theres electrical storms up in the alps (awesome lightshow)

[APPLE]

me's a day rider?had a fright one nite,and that did it for me......:gob:

[GR81]

daylight for me anyday!
no rain either... dark and rain are the devil!

[Dont_die_wondering]

Yep far more enjoyable at night :yes: bikes go better in the cooler night air, less traffic.
And on long haul rides theres nothing better than seeing the sun come up (The Kaikora coast is magic on a clear morning) and up on the summit rd at night is great especially if theres electrical storms up in the alps (awesome lightshow)
o0o0o0o that sounds nice!

[Lou Girardin]

I don't like night riding much. But the stretch from Maruia Springs to Hanmer I did wasn't too bad, my headlight was better than I thought It'd be. The worst bit is dipping for oncoming traffic and losing vision

[Skyryder]

If wasn't for the bugs I'd ride more at night. When the full moon is out and riding along the coast with the sea is, to use a 60's phase, 'where it's at.' The silver sea, and the sound of the Guzzi puuurrrr, beats rock 'n' roll everytime. Now if I could party like that I'd stop rideing.

Skyryder

[Karma]

I ride home from work at midnight... tinted visor as well (really should get a clear one)

Nice empty roads, apart from Friday... boy racers!!

[Dafe]

A fine night on the road is somewhat more than Wicked! :blip:

Recently rode from Nelson to Blenheim on a Grand night!
Coasted the entire distance at 150kph.
Was just fantastic. Then again, I think it was the roads that made the experience incredible.

Just can't understand how Uncle B stayed with the newbie riders rather than joining me in seeking the Zen moment!

What a freakin buzz. I just wanna go again! evidently........ Will be going again in just over a months time. Not quite expecting the same in weather though.

[mdb]

Main problem I have at night is bugs on the visor. However I find it easier to focus at night as all you can see (assuming you out of town), is the road.

[_intense_]

One of the most pleasurable rides i have EVER had was a 2am start from Timaru, on a full moon warm february night, in rolleston by 3am, filled up, and cruised to Arthurs Pass, where it promplty turned to poos so i bivvied up with the tentfly. But it was warm, empty road, massive visibility, and absolute bliss. given the right conditions its great riding at night.

[Hitcher]

a 2am start from Timaru, on a full moon warm february night, in rolleston by 3am
Timaru to Rolleston in one hour? You weren't part of a Prime Ministerial motorcade, by any chance?

[Dont_die_wondering]

I ride home from work at midnight... tinted visor as well (really should get a clear one)

Nice empty roads, apart from Friday... boy racers!!LOL@tinted visor :rockon:

[Karma]

Meh, I'm used to it eh... I ride home along Tamaki drive, so it's all lit up anyways with streetlights... if it was country roads then I'd probably have got off my arse by now...

[Lou Girardin]

I feel a 'told you so' coming on.

[LXS]

anyone here like driving/riding at night rather then day? , i mean on a fine night, i find driving quite relaxing,and theres less people on the road,plus its quiet, it can be a refreshing change :yes:

all of the above, its good being the only one on the road, just you and the bike.
as mentioned the colder, denser air does wonders for the bike and to keep me awake.

[RT527]

Kinda Have to as i start early and finish late and the bike is the cheapest mode of transport for me wet or fine...I ride from Ngatea to Papakura every day.
I dont mind it but the fog is the killer , i hates da fog.

[Ixion]

I must admit, fog is the one thing I really dislike. And fog at night is worst of all. I know of no way to effectively deal with that.

[Skyryder]

I must admit, fog is the one thing I really dislike. And fog at night is worst of all. I know of no way to effectively deal with that.

Pray and hope the man upstairs is listening.

Skyryder

[kickingzebra]

I love the cold air, love the loneliness on the road, the whole world feels all new and different and exciting!
I especially love riding in hilly country, on top of the ridges, when the fog is forming in the valleys, with clear moonlit night above. That is Par excellence!

[Gremlin]

Can ride in either, different pace obviously, but prefer day. You can see the road properly, any hazards etc. Night time hides a lot of things, but it is quite peaceful.

Ride in tinted visor in semi dark when I have been riding somewhere during day, and the tint makes it quite dark, but still OK. Worst is in the country when everything is hidden apart from your headlight.

[_intense_]

Timaru to Rolleston in one hour? You weren't part of a Prime Ministerial motorcade, by any chance?

Well i thought i d better start my bid for parliament somehow, we could make a party that supports a compulsory period on a mc for EVERY motorist before they're allowed behinf the wheel of a deathcage, have more realistic acc levies.... :zzzz:

[justsomeguy]

So much bleeding talk......

Who wants to ride to Wellsford or do the Coro Loop after dark?

Say - start around 6pm on a Sat for the Wellsford ride, or around 4pm for the Coro Loop???

Medium-Open pace, leave your bad attitudes and politics at home.

Anyone??

Newbies come at your own risk.

[sugilite]

The 1st thing I do to new road bikes is biff the standard bulbs for brrighter ones becuase, I LOVE night riding :yes:

[sunhuntin]

i love it....but hate it when its busy as the oncoming headlights blind me somewhat. but im getting used to that.
finish at 7pm, so ride home...bout a 30min ride depending. bought a fluro vest specially for that ride.
my former job i used to finish at midnight-1am depending how busy, and i loved that...no traffic, no cops. just me, my bike and the road.
havent done much night riding in the country.....last time i nearly wound up the ditch, lol. [headlight was shit and not lighting up the road properly, even on full!]

in short...if its a cool, crisp night, then im there. same with early starts when its a bit foggy [not too thick!] just enough to wake me up!

[magicfairy]

my eyes are a bit sus at nite so prefer day
Ditto - vision not really up to night riding.

[Dont_die_wondering]

all of the above, its good being the only one on the road, just you and the bike.
as mentioned the colder, denser air does wonders for the bike and to keep me awake.
yea even when im driving the cage i leave the window open, if ya cold its enough discomfort to keep ya awake lol

[Dont_die_wondering]

Pray and hope the man upstairs is listening.

Skyryder
or put ur headlights on dip and look out for ditches :shifty:

[Dont_die_wondering]

i love it....but hate it when its busy as the oncoming headlights blind me somewhat. but im getting used to that.
finish at 7pm, so ride home...bout a 30min ride depending. bought a fluro vest specially for that ride.
my former job i used to finish at midnight-1am depending how busy, and i loved that...no traffic, no cops. just me, my bike and the road.
havent done much night riding in the country.....last time i nearly wound up the ditch, lol. [headlight was shit and not lighting up the road properly, even on full!]

in short...if its a cool, crisp night, then im there. same with early starts when its a bit foggy [not too thick!] just enough to wake me up!
i find just fixing your eyes straight ahead and slightly to the side minimises headlight glare, and i love fog ! lol:cool:

[Wolf]

I had to put down "prefer sunlight" - not what I would have put down a few years ago.

I used to love riding/driving at night - peaceful, quiet etc. Parked up in the middle of nowhere lit only by star/moon light having a quiet ciggy before riding on. Ahhhh, them were the days.

Now, for a start there are a lot more vehicles on the roads even very late at night and I find the glare of approaching headlights too much. In fact, even if I'm the only one on the road, I find the glare of my own lights - reflected back at me off the cat's eyes, marker posts, reflectorised signage etc - can get too much on a long ride.

I really detest that night riding has become such a literal pain for me. I just cannot cope with the glare - it's intensely painful on my eyes and very tiring. We went down to Sanson after work at Easter and I had to get strayjuliet to take over driving because my vision was being affected to the point I was unsafe to drive. Once she had control of the car I quickly fell asleep I was so worn out (and constantly shutting my eyes against the oncoming traffic didn't help, I'm sure).

For me, that's the price of advancing age. When I was younger I was fairly intolerant of glare and night driving on main roads at busy times could get nasty but I seem to be less tolerant of the glare now and to cap it all off there are more bloody cars and the headlights are brighter - a few times I've been sure that the bastard has had his lights on full because they're so much brighter than most of the other cars so I've flashed the lights only to get an answering flash of full beam that's nearly blown me off the back of the bike or out the back window of the car. So many modern cars have the brighter bulbs these days, too.

[Ixion]

I had to put down "prefer sunlight" - not what I would have put down a few years ago.
..

As a werewolf are you sure you don't want to reconsider that?

[sunhuntin]

wolf....ive got to agree on the brighter headlights! some of them are insanely bright...even on dip. i dislike the white ones the most....and the double layered ones.

but i must admit the worst of all is the numbnut with only one headlight....cant tell if its a car or a bike, so never sure how close i can cut.

[Wolf]

As a werewolf are you sure you don't want to reconsider that?
Only for riding or driving, ya nong, it's for other things that I prefer moonlight. :nya:

Besides, you shine fucking-great spotlights into a wolf's eyes and see how long it sticks around...

And Mr Ixion has, of course, stumbled upon the real reason I prefer motorbikes over cars - driving up the road with your head out the window can look kinda suspicious but on a motorbike you're already out in the open.

[Wolf]

wolf....ive got to agree on the brighter headlights! some of them are insanely bright...even on dip. i dislike the white ones the most....and the double layered ones
Likewise, they sear into the back of my skull. I'm sure neurons get cooked whenever I encounter those bastidges.

I've got to the point of recognising whether it's the full beam of an older car or the dipped lights of one of the newer ones so I don't tend to incur their wrath by flashing my brights at them but they incur my wrath often enough. I actually agree with the German legislation that has a maximum output for headlights and they're strict on ensuring they're properly aligned. We can buy brighter bulbs here than they can in Germany.

After any length of time riding or driving at night I find myself having to dip the headlights approaching those sharp corners that have lots of warning signs and all the reflectorised panels with the arrows on them because the light flung back at me is blinding. Some of 'em I feel like I'm falling into the sun.

[Hitcher]

And Mr Ixion has, of course, stumbled upon the real reason I prefer motorbikes over cars - driving up the road with your head out the window can look kinda suspicious but on a motorbike you're already out in the open.
But your hair is. Perfect.

[Wolf]

But your hair is. Perfect.
Of course.

Another Pina Colada, Trader Vic!

[kickingzebra]

I always had problems with the whole wanting to howl at the moon on those perfect nights. Invariably the urge rises just before the tightest set of twisties.

[justsomeguy]

I always had problems with the whole wanting to howl at the moon on those perfect nights. Invariably the urge rises just before the tightest set of twisties.

If you're ever able to go on a night ride in Auckland give me a yell, I know just the place for you.

One "return lap" only takes 30 mins or however long it takes you to do 43kms, probably less on your race rep.

[kickingzebra]

One must put the emphasis on rep, unfortunately. Mine has never been over 5000 revs in top gear... Thinking out the back towards clevedon? theres some cool roads out there, when I can remember how to find them. Has to be a clear night for full howling pleasure (sorry to plagiarise Wolf! I did always think Werewolves had the edge over other random zombies etc)

[Street Gerbil]

...but then again, I am still an L-plate rider. Heck, I don't have an L-plate yet. By the way, here is a curious question. By law I am not required placing an L-plate on my 50cc bike. If I'll get a learners permit, will I have to put the L plate on? :-))))
Speaking of night riding, as every commuter I do a fair share of it, but I really hate being blinded by headlights. Besides the standard 15Wt headlight of Street Magic is clearly deficient. Anybody knows where I can get UK standard 25Wt bulb?
Cheers!
V

[sunhuntin]

wolf.....im not quite that bad when it comes to the reflectors...but then country road i ride at night is barely used so there are none [hence the near ride into a ditch! LOL]
but honestly.....that dont sound right to me....being blinded by the reflectors. is there nothing an optometrist could do? maybe semi tint visor? such a shame really..... night riding is the best.

zebra....ive had that feeling myself....and give into at times too....no matter where i am...night riding, or being passed by a bunch of bikes on the open road in the middle of the day.

used to ride with glenn....my partner in canada. wed set out about midnight and not get home till 3 or 4 am. literally. saw so many amazing things. a gravel back road in the middle of the night is something i never did get used to! LOL. only downside was it meant id be ages cleaning the bike the next day due to bugs! LOL.

[kickingzebra]

I used to work night shift in wangas, and live in Marton. Had some BRILLIANT nights riding back and forth!

[justsomeguy]

One must put the emphasis on rep, unfortunately. Mine has never been over 5000 revs in top gear...

Yes Sir, I believe you completely:innocent: .


... Thinking out the back towards clevedon?

Yup can do :niceone:

Full moon coming up soon Woooooooooo

[Wolf]

I always had problems with the whole wanting to howl at the moon on those perfect nights. Invariably the urge rises just before the tightest set of twisties.
I find this disturbing. Not that you want to howl just before the twisties, but that you feel it is a "problem"...

Many's the time when I've been out riding at night and the sound of a muffled howl rings out (full face helmet).

[Wolf]

wolf.....im not quite that bad when it comes to the reflectors...but then country road i ride at night is barely used so there are none [hence the near ride into a ditch! LOL]
but honestly.....that dont sound right to me....being blinded by the reflectors. is there nothing an optometrist could do? maybe semi tint visor? such a shame really..... night riding is the best.
The reflectors and signage only become a real problem if I've been exposed to glare for an extended period otherwise they are not a tenth of a problem that oncoming headlights are. Mind you, I don't encounter overly "decorated" corners anywhere near as much as I encounter long streams of oncoming traffic.

Given a really quiet road with very little or no traffic, I still absolutely love night riding - far surpasses day time - it's only the increased amount of night-time traffic and the increased percentage of ultra-bright headlamps that makes it unpleasant.

The trip to Sanson was SH3 to 8-mile Junction, SH4 to National Park, via Ohakune to Waiuru then SH1 to Sanson - shitloads of oncoming traffic, a handful that were slow on the up-take and hit me with full beam but mainly it was "low" beam that was hurting. Encountered the occasional older car - identifiable by the fact that, compared with the other cars, it looked like it was running on park lights!

If I were going for a night ride for pleasure I'd seek out quiet unfrequented roads.

[Dont_die_wondering]

but i must admit the worst of all is the numbnut with only one headlight....cant tell if its a car or a bike i second that, having one headlight isnt even legal ...clueless cagers :tugger:

[Dont_die_wondering]

I always had problems with the whole wanting to howl at the moon on those perfect nights. Invariably the urge rises just before the tightest set of twisties. LOL zebra :lol:

[Dont_die_wondering]

Many's the time when I've been out riding at night and the sound of a muffled howl rings out (full face helmet). bet if u were wearing an open face you'd scare the shit outta some poor cager LOL

[kickingzebra]

The reason it scares me, is you have to look at the moon when you howl, but just before the twisties? It's a recipe for disaster, as no one can say how long a howl will last, the howl will go when the howl is gone!!

[Wolf]

i second that, having one headlight isnt even legal ...clueless cagers :tugger:
And most are such utter numbnuts they don't know how to swap the working bulb to the driver's side if the driver-side bulb has blown as the law allows in an emergency.

Never mind if it's a sealed beam unit - they need to either learn sufficient skills to swap the unit over or park up the car and find another way home.

A number of times I've only known it was a car at the last minute or because there's been another car following it.

[Wolf]

bet if u were wearing an open face you'd scare the shit outta some poor cager LOL
You've seen my profile pic, then.

I know, I should also wear a tinted visor to protect the general public, but, hey.

[Wolf]

The reason it scares me, is you have to look at the moon when you howl, but just before the twisties? It's a recipe for disaster, as no one can say how long a howl will last, the howl will go when the howl is gone!!
Fair enough, best to limit the howls to the looooong straights and pray you don't twist the throttle too hard when doing so...

[Dont_die_wondering]

The reason it scares me, is you have to look at the moon when you howl, but just before the twisties? It's a recipe for disaster, as no one can say how long a howl will last, the howl will go when the howl is gone!!
lmao so howling is best kept for straight roads or to scare someone out of a carpark then..

[Dont_die_wondering]

You've seen my profile pic, then.

I know, I should also wear a tinted visor to protect the general public, but, hey. no i havent, but looool