A lot of motorcyclists love riding in the dark. They might do it for the less traffic, or just because nights are more refreshing. But the night ride is the time when you can focus on yourself and your bike. Darkness comes with risks, and while you ride a motorcycle, you have to think about safety. With less light, visibility drops drastically, temperatures dip, fogs, and if it is autumn or winter season, even frost may start settling in.
That’s why we have prepared a few tips for our night owls.
1. Wear reflective motorcycle clothingWe usually love to wear black jeans and jackets. But most of what other drivers see is the motorcycle rider. That’s why when you think about motorcycle safety, the first thing in your mind should be your visibility.
There is a common misconception that wearing Hi-Viz yellow or orange increases your visibility at night. Yes, it might draw the attention of other drivers. But the bright colors don’t reflect light, and at low light won’t do much to improve your visibility.
So, get jackets or vests with reflective panels. They are made to reflect light.
2. Look after your headlightsYour headlights are your primary source of visibility. So, make sure they don’t fail on. Most headlight bulbs last between 400 – 600 hours on the maximum output. Also, there are other factors like weather, temperature, age, and bike vibrations, so if you ride regularly, ensure you change them before they start to dim and stop working.
Over time your headlight lenses become subjected to wear and tear. Sunlight, dirt, and everyday grime can fog your headlight lens and leave them cloudy, yellow, and scratched.
Even a thin layer of dust can reduce the amount of light your bike emits. A quick wipe of your lenses with a cloth and water can fix this.
3. Slow DownReducing your speed gives you more time to react to your surroundings, gives you plenty of time to stop, and makes you more easily seen by other drivers.
4. Stay out of blind spotsYour road position is super important. Drivers tend to drive more dangerously at night, with less traffic and the more open road, leading to more frivolous riding. So if a driver can’t see you in their rear or side-view mirror, there is a high chance of an accident.
5. Increase your visual fieldThink about your helmet’s visor. Just like how a dirty headlight will reduce light, a dirty visor reduces the field of your vision. Whether it’s dirt, bugs, or anything else, don’t forget to give it a good wipe.
Consider putting away your smoke or tinted visor. It is definitely not worth risking your safety. Darker visors might look cool, but while riding in the dark, you need all the possible light you can get. But if you don’t want to keep swapping visors from day to night, you should consider a photochromic visor. They are super useful because they adjust to light levels throughout the day.
