Motorcycle Night Riding

Your motorcycle ride doesn’t have to come to a screeching halt just because the sun is setting. Riding your bike at night can be a thrilling experience. You’ll be soaking up the city lights and enjoying the cool evening air as you cruise up and down the streets. As fun as this might be, there are some potential hazards to be aware of. Fortunately, Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson is here with some tips to help you stay safe when riding at night. If you’re still shopping for the perfect motorcycle, be sure to visit our dealership in Eugene, OR.

Potential Hazards

A major component of remaining safe on the road is being aware of the unique hazards you might encounter, which will help you stay alert and ready to respond if anything comes up. First of all, nighttime tends to bring an increase in drunk drivers. That number is even higher on weekends and holidays. If you notice odd driving behaviors, like weaving from side to side, you could be near a drunk driver. Stay as far away as possible.

Secondly, there also tends to be an increase in animals on the road. Many prey animals, such as deer, tend to come out at night. This is usually an attempt to avoid predators during the daytime. In an effort to escape a wolf, they could likely stumble into your path. Keep this mind and be alert to the possibility of animals on the road. Avoid driving in areas where they’re more likely to be seen, like rural roads. 

Nighttime also affects your ability to easily spot obstacles. Regardless of what time of day you choose to ride your motorcycle, there will always be obstacles to face. Whether it be potholes or loose gravel, it’s important to be prepared to handle them. While these types of obstacles might not increase at night, your ability to spot them can decrease. Be sure to ride defensively to compensate for this.

Upgrade Your Lights

The harder it is for you to see, the harder it is to avoid problems. Your ability to see is crucial and this starts with your motorcycle lighting. The bad news is that most bikes are only built with standard halogen lights as this is the most affordable choice for the manufacturer. The good news is you can easily swap these out for LED lights, which are significantly brighter and ideal for night riding. Not to mention, these lights also last longer, consume less energy, and cost less money in the long run.

Another upgrade you’ll want to consider for your motorcycle is a brake light flasher. This light will flash multiple times before emitting a steady light. When it comes to night riding, this is better than the solid beam of a traditional brake light. It will help get the attention of other motorists and alert them to your presence.

The other option is to simply add more lights to your bike. The more bright bulbs you have, the more lighting you’ll have on your path. This means you’ll be able to see better and it’ll also make you more visible to others on the road. It’s up to you whether you prefer to add single bulbs or strips of bulbs.

Adapt Your Riding

You’ll need to tweak your riding techniques when it’s dark out. Start by adjusting your gaze to avoid being blinded by the beams of car headlights. Try to focus on the far right line at the edge of the road of your lane. You should avoid looking down because that will make it difficult to ride in a safe, straight line.

Next, you’ll need to remember to ride your motorcycle defensively. After all, night riding presents a unique set of obstacles and hazards, so it’s crucial to prepare yourself to handle them. You’ll want to leave plenty of room between you and other motorists. You never know when someone else’s focus may be averted. For example, another driver could be drunk or simply unable to see you. Give yourself extra time to change lanes or hit the brakes since your vision is compromised at night. You should be continuously scanning the road for potential obstacles so you’re not blindsided.

We hope our guide to night riding has been helpful. If you need more tips or you’re still shopping for a new motorcycle, stop in and see us. Willamette Valley Harley-Davidson is located in Eugene, OR, near Albany and Corvallis.