Riding At Night

[nick crisp]

So who enjoys this apparently weird fetish then?
I quite like doing it if the weather's good. Last night it was mild and dry, and I virtually had the roads to myself. Obviously I'm not going nuts on the twisty bits at night, but still got a fair pace on, slowing to burble softly through the villages, a few trucks to overtake, but some were actually slowing at the start of straights to let me past. All very civilised, and away from the towns I didn't meet any cage-cretins in their souped-up shopping cars. Felt very refreshed and relaxed when I got home.

[mr self destruct]

I have no choice, I work shifts and commute on the bike now. In wet weather it's not pleasant, but I figure I could do with the experience. 

[DryRob]

I did some twisties I've never ridden before the other night, hated it and ended up following cars cos I couldn't see a thing. Might have been better with adequate lights

[ChristoT]

On roads you know, it's lovely.

[Lez72]

I find there is a certain degree of serenity to it (sometimes) !!! Most of the time though i'm straining my eyes trying to work out which way the road goes and praying that various hedge critters don't try launching themselves into my path. The best thing about it is the lack of other vehicles on the road 

[peterjca]

I don't mind the dark, commuting all year round on my FZ1. I do mind dark + heavy rain. That reminds me of my first motorcycling experiences. Autumn/winter time twenty years ago, student days, brand new RG125, not much confidence. I used to go out very early in the mornings along countryside B roads in Aberdeenshire at 4am to get experience and confidence without the hassle of loads of traffic. It worked, but not sure I'd recommend it on unknown roads. How I avoided some of the pot holes (more evident when I retraced my rides in daytime) must have been down to luck.

[Lawrence]

I don't mind it when it's dry, but when it's pissing with rain and dark it can get very difficult to see.  I've actually been thinking of fitting a couple of these to the bike to improve on the boxeye headlamp.

[redthunder]

I'm having electrical issues with my headlights at the minute. Issues as in they aren't working  :'(


So i'm trying not to ride in the dark! I have my sidelights and one bulb will shine bright if I press the pass switch, i'm leaving on a 400 mile overnighter tomorrow and will have the pass switch cable tied on to light me up  :eek

[VNA]

Don't mind it, but there can be a few issues.

Midge - often in summer and autumn as it's getting dark, within a few miles you can't see a bloody thing due to the 100's of midge stuck to yer visor.

Deer and other stuff.  Can be attracted to headlamps.  Deer can jump in front of you at any time, but at least during the day you often (not always) get some warning.

It's estimated there are 0.5 million deer in Scotland, and 1.5 million across the UK.  You are much more likely to hit em at night.  You never want to hit one!

[caretaker]

i'm not big on riding at night for the sake of it, but i will often get up at 4am on a saturday to get to the hills and watch the dawn breaking. lines you up nicely for a good breakfast as well!

[Bitfik]

Not keen on riding in the dark if I can avoid it, especially the dazzle on my visor.


Bit of an aside, but what do you guys make of driving in fog? Was quite misty here this morning and I hate it! (Not the fog, I love Autumn) but the way it clags on the visor. I wish it would just rain!

[stevierst]

I'm another shift worker, so night commuting is mandatory for me.
I actually enjoy dawdling around at night, the boxeye headlights are absolutely useless, but my fz1 has upgraded bulbs and makes the whole experience more enjoyable.

[fazersharp]

Nope dont like it, and a lot of the bigger critters come out at night badgers,foxes, rabbits, dont fancy hitting one of those, kamakizee pidgeons are bad enough in the daylight

[fazed600]

Like it at times. Never really enjoyed it on my old FZS pre-headlamp mod, got to be one of the worst headlights around - so much so that I used to notice if it was clear sky and full moon.....

Prefer it on my current bike, better headlights i.e. they can actually light up the road. Also they are stacked in the middle of the bike so you really notice the beam shape change when you lean over.

[Grahamm]

what do you guys make of driving in fog?

Hate it, mostly because of the idiots who don't appreciate that if visibility is reduced, you've got less time to react if there's a hazard ahead and keep driving as if it's clear.

In foggy weather I spend as much time checking my mirrors as I do looking ahead to watch out for pillocks who are driving too fast for the conditions.

[ChristoT]

I'm having electrical issues with my headlights at the minute. Issues as in they aren't working  :'(


So i'm trying not to ride in the dark! I have my sidelights and one bulb will shine bright if I press the pass switch, i'm leaving on a 400 mile overnighter tomorrow and will have the pass switch cable tied on to light me up  :eek

May be better to bodge a wiring mod in the Black Box of Doom Under the Tank. I've heard accounts of the pass switch burning out if used for prolonged periods - you REALLY don't want that happening

[bigfootpete]

I love it, in the summer mainly,  although my headlights keep blinding oncoming traffic so I get flashed a lot :-o

I can't adjust them much lower as I need to see far enough ahead...

[darrsi]

Not keen on riding in the dark if I can avoid it, especially the dazzle on my visor.


Bit of an aside, but what do you guys make of driving in fog? Was quite misty here this morning and I hate it! (Not the fog, I love Autumn) but the way it clags on the visor. I wish it would just rain!

Have a try at one of these, i've been using them for years now.
Slight reactolite lens, stops steaming up inside, and at night it turns headlight dazzle into single beams.
You need a dust free environment when fitting it though, and the double sided tape goes on once, so make sure it's positioned right 'cos it sticks like glue and will spoil if you attempt to remove it to reposition it.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Progrip-3000-V...2a27e6b5fa

[Frosties]

[quote author=Bitfik link=topic=10033.msg103715#msg103715 date=1380050413]
Not keen on riding in the dark if I can avoid it, especially the dazzle on my visor.


Bit of an aside, but what do you guys make of driving in fog? Was quite misty here this morning and I hate it! (Not the fog, I love Autumn) but the way it clags on the visor. I wish it would just rain!

Have a try at one of these, i've been using them for years now.
Slight reactolite lens, stops steaming up inside, and at night it turns headlight dazzle into single beams.
You need a dust free environment when fitting it though, and the double sided tape goes on once, so make sure it's positioned right 'cos it sticks like glue and will spoil if you attempt to remove it to reposition it.


http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Progrip-3000-V...2a27e6b5fa
[/quote]


+1 for the Progrip - been using them for over 3yrs as I find most pinlocks are hit'n'miss and "anti-fog" coatings usually shite! Excellent and well worth the outlay in my mind.

[JZS 600]

Late at night London's like a big playground for bikes