I was just wondering what everyone opinions are on night riding. It's gettin hotter and more humid around here. I find that I am starting to enjoy riding at night when its like 70-80 out. Its nice, you don't get the sun beating down on you, not many cars out, at least late at night. I mean don't get me wrong, its not that big of a deal if you love riding which I do but its just nice when its cool and comfortable. My dad is always worried about the deer and was when he used to ride. I am weary of deer too but I say if everyone stopped doing the things they enjoy just because its dangerous then I think most of us wouldn't leave the house, lol. So what are you thoughts...........

 

ride when you want just becareful and wear gear so you can be seen!

 

Just watch out for Drunks and Deer.

 

Night riding is a lot of fun just watch out for deer and other animals . Making sure you can be seen is also very important

 

i've had the shyte scared out of me a few times cuz of deer.

i got some stories..lol

i hit a possum once as well. te critters ARE out there.. you just ALWAYS have to be vigilant, ya know..

always prepare for it, look for an "out"..

slow down in blind corners.. if theres something in the apex, you'll have enough time and room to go around the little bastard.

i ruyn a "delayed apex" cornering strategy.. i don't clip the apex at till about 80% thru it.. some guys clip it (come the closest to the inside) at 30-50% thru it. this leave you NO room at the end, and offers little traction to be had should it be needed.

you're already at the lean limit during this.

that little delay (when applicable) put you near the middle to outside of the lane til about 3/4 of the way thru.. you should be able to see thru the rest of the corner by then.

should there be something in the road, you can go highOR low in the lane and never cross the paint lines while doing it..
in some cases, you have NO choice.. oncoming car to your left and hillside/guardrail/gravel to your right..

i've found also that when appoarched by a ******* withtheir brights on, look down and to the right.. focus on the white line. it works in the corners as well.. sometimes you can tilt your head enough to shadow your eyes from the light long enough to get by safely.

i've found Also that if you can time closing your eyes at the very last second til the light passes, it'll raise the reaction time of your light adjustment to almost instant.

that may just be me, but i can time when i'll pass the "bright zone" and i'll close my eyes for just a tiny sec, til i know i'm just past where the light is gone, then, as soon as i open them, i'm already adjusted to night vision levels..
takes some work.. i prectices while turning the lights off in a room with almost no ambient light. i'd shut my eyes til i flicked the switch, then open them.. i found that i adjust faster nd dont trip up on chit that way then!

ut yeah.. my .002 tho after 8 years on a bike..

the two animals i look for are deer and "pigs"....

cops can hide easily in places in the dark. but, unless you're below the speed limit, you won't hafta worry about that!
i've seen em onroad shoulders with no lights on.. very dangerous. i'd rather hit a small woodland creature than a cop car..
i've had em pull right out in front of me as well while trying to go after other cars. no lights or nothin!

i dunno. thats about all i think i can offer.. i've got a few animal stories tho for another time! yay!

 

Not too keen on it around where I live, way too many deer. Just be careful. I had an owl dive-bomb me and grab my shoulder, lol. I'm not sure who was surprised the most, the owl or me. The sensation of it's claws trying to dig into me was weird.
When you do ride at night, try not to do it alone. The exra lighting from another bike will help a lot. Just don't over ride your lights.

scootertrog

 

Hey thanks for your input everyone. I like to ride with other people but I don't really know anyone to ride with. The few that I do know seems like the work alot or at the wrong times.

 

knight rider?

 

yup, night riding is fun but dangerous. my bro was carving a corner that he loved after work, did it every night. well, that night he just happened to hit a deer lol. bike was a little messed up and he was bruised and bumped but still made it home. just be careful

 

I live about 300 yards off the main road and I've had up to 13 deer in my front yard at once, so i know they are crossing the main road that i live off of.

I would say be more careful of those maniacs in the cars, I've hit one that turned in front of me and had road rash from another that backed out in front me.

Be Safe!