Night riding - black bike, black gear, black helmet, NO LIGHTS

[PrincessBandit]

Coming home on the southern motorway at 8pm tonight, doing 100kph, I was passed by a bike at Gillies Ave. What shocked me was I did not "see" him/her until he executed several lane changes - it was only his indicators blinking in a sea of blackness (ok, there were several cars on the road so it wasn't completely deserted blackness) which showed there was something mobile there.

I can only assume he exited the motorway before Mt. Wellington as there was a patrol car stationed there which would surely have taken 'interest' in the rider's lack of visibility (surely?).

As a young, inexperienced car driver many many years ago I can recall leaving a lit car park on a couple of occasions with my lights off, being fooled by the ambient lighting in the park and not twigging to my own headlights not being on. So I can relate to the concept of "forgetting" to turn headlights on. And, with a bike which requires a manual turn on for the head lamp as opposed to the hardwired lamps, it must be easy enough to overlook it. I am trying to drill it into RipperRoo 92's head that headlight switch must be an automatic part of starting up the bike so as to avoid this same situation in a night ride setting.

If, dear rider, you are reading this post, I sincerely hope you made it to your destination safely. With your black bike, black gear and black helmet you truly were "invisible" except for when you (thankfully) at least used your indicators.

Please please please: it seems like such an obvious thing to remind people of, but you are dicing with death with the odds stacked very much against you taking on traffic (or any road travel) at night without your lights.

[Mom]

Coming home on the southern motorway at 8pm tonight, doing 100kph, I was passed by a bike at Gillies Ave. What shocked me was I did not "see" him/her until he executed several lane changes - it was only his indicators blinking in a sea of blackness (ok, there were several cars on the road so it wasn't completely deserted blackness) which showed there was something mobile there.

I can only assume he exited the motorway before Mt. Wellington as there was a patrol car stationed there which would surely have taken 'interest' in the rider's lack of visibility (surely?).

As a young, inexperienced car driver many many years ago I can recall leaving a lit car park on a couple of occasions with my lights off, being fooled by the ambient lighting in the park and not twigging to my own headlights not being on. So I can relate to the concept of "forgetting" to turn headlights on. And, with a bike which requires a manual turn on for the head lamp as opposed to the hardwired lamps, it must be easy enough to overlook it. I am trying to drill it into RipperRoo 92's head that headlight switch must be an automatic part of starting up the bike so as to avoid this same situation in a night ride setting.

If, dear rider, you are reading this post, I sincerely hope you made it to your destination safely. With your black bike, black gear and black helmet you truly were "invisible" except for when you (thankfully) at least used your indicators.

Please please please: it seems like such an obvious thing to remind people of, but you are dicing with death with the odds stacked very much against you taking on traffic (or any road travel) at night without your lights.

Lets hope that he /she was not aware that they had no lights (maybe just tail light out?) and does read this thread and go check. I doubt that anyone would deliberately ride in stealth mode and still use indicators.

[PrincessBandit]

Logic would say you are correct Mom. And as I mentioned, it's an easy mistake to make if you've started your bike/car in a well lit car park or street. But I can say the headlamp was not on - wasn't just the rear light that was out.

[mattian]

It seems absolutely crazy to me. Surely the rider would be aware of the stiuation?.... if he had any sense of self preservation at all? perhaps he's suicidal?.......
Crikey, I find it difficult to see grey/silver coloured cars on a foggy morning with no headlights on until I am right on them. scares the shit out of me.

[Katman]

You'd think the fact that he couldn't see his speedo or rev counter might have given him a clue.

[YellowDog]

Imagine the shocking sensation when the rider eventually realises that they have been carving down the mororway without lights!

Perhaps it is not such a big deal as most motorcyclists are used to not being seen by cars and therefore instinctively ride defensively to avoid being hit!

[98tls]

Or possibly he saw in the distance another motorcyclist,assuming he/she must be a member on KB decided there was no hope of him/her seeing his lack of waving nor the fact that he wasnt wearing KB verified safety gear he turned his lights and off set about lane splitting knowing full well it would be thread worthy the very same day.:whistle:

[Ecclesnz]

Or possibly he saw in the distance another motorcyclist,assuming he/she must be a member on KB decided there was no hope of him/her seeing his lack of waving nor the fact that he wasnt wearing KB verified safety gear he turned his lights and off set about lane splitting knowing full well it would be thread worthy the very same day.:whistle:

My my my them's some mighty fine brown arms you have there sir from all that sh*t stirring :P


Bling given for the laugh

[Ixion]

Left werk rather late about 6 months ago. Rode home, nothing out of ordinary, ho hum. Into gargre, went to turn off lights. Oh, they're already off!

(Tail lamp is permanent on , headlamp is switched. Instrument bulb blew long ago, haven't been arsed to replace it. )

It's very easily done. And in built up areas, the huge amount of ambient light at night means that the absent headlamp will not be noticed .

[dipshit]

Was driving me car one night and nearly took out a Harley rider at a roundabout once.

I was entering a roundabout and looked and didn't see anything coming and just moments later when the nose of the car had started entering.... BBBAAALLLL... (the sound of a Harley-Ferguson) a black Harley with rider in black with no lights on goes screaming past the nose of my car with just inches spear at warp factor 10.

Even a motorcycle riding mate in the car with me just said "bloody hell".

[swee]

i've had my headlight blow out at night somewhere between Helensville and wellsford. Black bike, black jacket, white helmet ;)

Just out of interest, do you all carry spare bulbs with you?

[PrincessBandit]

Or possibly he saw in the distance another motorcyclist,assuming he/she must be a member on KB decided there was no hope of him/her seeing his lack of waving nor the fact that he wasnt wearing KB verified safety gear he turned his lights and off set about lane splitting knowing full well it would be thread worthy the very same day.:whistle:

Hahaha, except that I'd have fooled them 'cos I waren't on my bikey!

[PrincessBandit]

Left werk rather late about 6 months ago. Rode home, nothing out of ordinary, ho hum. Into gargre, went to turn off lights. Oh, they're already off!

(Tail lamp is permanent on , headlamp is switched. Instrument bulb blew long ago, haven't been arsed to replace it. )

It's very easily done. And in built up areas, the huge amount of ambient light at night means that the absent headlamp will not be noticed .

So you're implying that its an ok thing to do?

I would like to point out that i didn't call this person an idiot, twat, dickhead, brainless c*nt etc., it was in no way a personal attack on them so for people getting their underwear in a knot, untwist it and get it out of your crack ok?

[Ixion]

So you're implying that its an ok thing to do?

Not at all. Decidedly unwise. Just saying that's it's an easy mistake to make.

Some distraction at start up time, tired, in a hurry, the role of that vital switch in the routine gets missed.

I'm sure that had you been able to point out to the rider that he had no lights on he would have said "Gor blimey, strewth, luv a duck, thanks" and turned them on. He just forgot . To err is human.

EDIT IT also occurs to me that he might be used to a bike with "always on " lights riding a new, borrowed or loaner machine.

[PrincessBandit]

Yes, easy to do and most likely unintentional, see post 3

[cerberus]

Am I the only one who rides with his headlight on always? The On/Off switch is on the right handle bar and never gets touched, during the day I leave them on low beam. Helps make me more visible in my own mind at least.

If you are the type who only uses your lights at night I can imagine not realising you have them on in town, but out on the motorway where this happened, there isn't any street lighting right? That would've made it pretty obvious they didn't have their light on. If a bulb had blown surely their rear light would work, no?

[Usarka]

Shit loads of light most places on auckland motorways. More so when you factor in all the cars. Enough to be able to ride with a light tinted visor in the middle of the night. So I'm told.

[James Deuce]

Can't see the problem.

They can't see you anyway.

[cerberus]

Shit loads of light most places on auckland motorways. More so when you factor in all the cars. Enough to be able to ride with a light tinted visor in the middle of the night. So I'm told.

Understandable then I suppose, I know I've done it in the cage before. Still, as was pointed out earlier, you tend to realise when you glance down at the speedo, etc.

[Maha]

Logic would say you are correct Mom. And as I mentioned, it's an easy mistake to make if you've started your bike/car in a well lit car park or street. But I can say the headlamp was not on - wasn't just the rear light that was out.

My lights are always on (at times theres nobody home, some may say) the only change I have make is highbeam at night, but the lights are always on.....maybe, just maybe the bulb had blown?

[sosman]

Or possibly he saw in the distance another motorcyclist,assuming he/she must be a member on KB decided there was no hope of him/her seeing his lack of waving nor the fact that he wasnt wearing KB verified safety gear he turned his lights and off set about lane splitting knowing full well it would be thread worthy the very same day.:whistle:

ha ha lol I enjoyed that! :apint:

[PrincessBandit]

My lights are always on (at times theres nobody home, some may say) the only change I have make is highbeam at night, but the lights are always on.....maybe, just maybe the bulb had blown?

Good point, and could also be a likely explanation. I know the ginny has headlamp bulb issues so I see the possibility of that. (Having said that, I'm pretty sure my bum light still worked tho when the headlamp was dim, and full beam was still ok).

If he'd been wanting to do "I am ninja, you can't see me" moves then I'm sure he wouldn't have bothered with the indicators!

My bandits headlamp is always on too, and there are times I wonder if it might make me lazy in terms of one day having to go back to riding the GN at night ( and forgetting to flick that wee switch). I'd like to think not.

[shaymas]

:scooter:oh he must have seen ghost rider lol or was it him we all had gear like that when we started out just to look cool but as we get older:gob: we get the big pic be seen :Punk:

[sunhuntin]

Left werk rather late about 6 months ago. Rode home, nothing out of ordinary, ho hum. Into gargre, went to turn off lights. Oh, they're already off!

(Tail lamp is permanent on , headlamp is switched. Instrument bulb blew long ago, haven't been arsed to replace it. )

It's very easily done. And in built up areas, the huge amount of ambient light at night means that the absent headlamp will not be noticed .

ive done the same. luckily, it wasnt full dark. i did get a few headlights flashed at me, but i thought it meant cops. didnt realise til i got home the lack of headlight. was enough lighting in town to see safely.

ive also had a guy turn up at bp with no helmet. he didnt realise hed forgotten it until i asked him about it, lol. my dads done the same [both motor and push bikes] mistakes can be made.

[shaymas]

these day most new bikes have them hard wired so as you turn on the key lights go on but i find tin tops still dont see us

[MarkH]

ive also had a guy turn up at bp with no helmet. he didnt realise hed forgotten it until i asked him about it, lol.

You know what? I think I would notice! I would probably notice before I left my driveway.

[sunhuntin]

You know what? I think I would notice! I would probably notice before I left my driveway.

lol. well, this guy didnt. i lent him mine so he could go home and get it. ive almost done the same thing. helmet was in the topbox. wasnt till i was on the bike, about to let the clutch out, that i wondered why it sounded so loud. lmfao. sometimes, ya just get distracted with other things and thing youve already done something when you havent. [think i was tying something on with a bungy cord that tried to break my nose, hence the distraction]