Just curious as to how this group feels about riding after the sun goes down (or before it comes up)?
I personally enjoy it. :thumb: It's typically easier to see traffic (so long as they drive with lights on), it's cooler (a plus in summer) and I tend to focus more on the road (since my light illuminates where I'm going).
The negatives are there as well, such as less attentive drivers, less time to react to something in your path (like dead squirrels or other roadkill), and it's cooler (a minus in spring & fall).
So, sound off. What's ya feel about riding at night -- like it -- indifferent -- or rather avoid it? Why? :dunno:
the biggest problem I have with night riding is the constant, massive bug bombardment. After a few miles, I have to pull over and use a window wip to clean the bug juice off my visor.
Fear the deer too much around here. The stock GS light also sucks IMHO
After I got comfortable with it, I had no problems. Sometimes it's fun. I like going up to the mountains and just laying on my GS looking up at the star and pondering life's many questions like "How is Jeff Foxworthy still able to find work?"
I have a friend in ICU right now been there a week hit a deer at night on a V Star.
:? I feel like I am riding in the day time? Only with less ambient light? :?
I found it a bit difficult with the GS stock lights. I don't find they do a very good job, and I was often flipping between my low/high beam to see better. However, if there's enough overhead light (highway driving mostly), it's a ton better than dealing with rush hour regular riding.
I hate riding at night. :o Very scary, especially with the numerous large animals here in GA (dogs, deer, and cars). :o The GS headlight does suck. The rest is long, so here's you warning.
My worst wreck, and only wreck that wasn't my fault, happened at night. I was following a friend to her house, I was riding a safely as possible, and this big dog that was walking on the side of the road decided, after looking right AT me, that it was safe to cross the road. To my best recollection the dog actually hit me, not the other way around. This isn't the scary part yet. Needless to say I went down. I don't remember what happened after I hit the dog, (it happened really fast) but where my memory picks up I was sliding on my belly into the other lane, with my bike sliding past me. Something (guardian angel, sixth sense, or whatever) told me I had to get up and move quick, so I got to my feet got my bike up and out of the road as quickly as possible. Ready for the scary part? Now let me explain this is a residential area, speed limit was 35 or 45, which I was NOT exceding. Here's the scary part. The instant I got my bike upright a camaro comes around the bend, at 80+ mph :o :x :o hits the dog, which at that point was still alive, and blows through where I was just laying on the ground. Seriously, 30 more secs, and I wouldn't be writing this post. :guns: :guns: :guns: To the jerk-off in the camaro. Fortunately for me I was wearing gear, I had a little road rash on my love handle, jacked-up my right shoulder and one of my ankles (both ankles have been blown out playing sports prior), so basically I can't throw a 90mph fastball anymore, but I couldn't do that before, so I'm really no worse for the wear. It was kinda hard getting back on the horse after that though. The hardest part I think was just seeing the damage to my bike, and building the motivation to fix it. I'm glad I fixed it, and I ride as much as possible now, I just try to avoid night-time riding and dogs.
Strangely, on the rare occation I am up before dawn, I love to ride. Especially when I get to see the sun rise. For me that's as close to heaven as I get here on earth. A nice country road, a beautiful sunrise, me, and my bike. :cheers: God knew what he was doing when he made motorcycles.
Quote from: oppy00My worst wreck, and only wreck that wasn't my fault, happened at night. I was following a friend to her house, I was riding a safely as possible, and this big dog that was walking on the side of the road decided, after looking right AT me, that it was safe to cross the road. To my best recollection the dog actually hit me, not the other way around.
That dog sounds like a cager...
Personally, I don't like riding at night. It isn't bad, per se, but I prefer daytime. It's just nicer to be able to see more, evaluate hazzards with more time, and it's less stressful. Just me, maybe?
lane splitting on the freeway at night sucks.
aside from that, i find riding at night to be preferable to walking home.
Hi there,
I like night riding because of the cool air and the relaxed pace, but I have improved my GS500's headlight by replacing it with a 7" Hella halogen auto lamp that fits inside the stock headlight rim. It is much brighter and has a superior beam pattern. The HIGH beam is amazing.
Also I modified the front turn signals on my GS500 to also include always-on running lamps, which makes my bike stand out better at night for oncoming traffic. Anything to make myself more visible at night to other motorists is a key addition.
Yes, there are still deer and other hazards, but life doesn't end at night and some of us do have to ride at night. At least try to do it with brighter lights and lots of common sense and caution.
Good luck,
Todd
riding out in the desert at night is the best when it's just you your bike and the stars.
Quote from: RedShiftso long as they drive with lights on
The Hip Thing these days seems to be to drive around with only your running lights, fog lights, or city lights on at night; headlights off. Dumb effers.
I avoid riding at night at all costs. If I really need to, I will, but I am always worried about deer. I am in a pretty rural area, lots of deer. I've hit a few with my car - all at night on the back country roads - and I don't want to do the same with a bike, so I make reasonable effort not to get into a close encounter with the deer.
Sucks too, because I actually LOVE riding at night. If it weren't for the abundance of deer! :o
I don't like it, but I'll deal if I have to. I going to have drive 90 miles later this week during the night and I'm not too thrilled. At least for the first half of it since it's more deserted and really dark. Cagers go flying down that road. Once I get back to civilization and more cars and lights I'll feel more comfortable.
8)
I enjoy it, I work nights so I have to ride at night. It has become my favorite time to ride. My crew is always telling me to watch out for deer. I think it it's the pole cats and opussum that worry me. Waiting to see how it is in the winter,ICE :?
At the right time of the year I get to watch some amazing sunrises and sun sets everyday.
Oops...I forgot to mention how I like to ride in the fog, very peaceful.
I prefer night riding 10 times better then day. This time of the year in Winnipeg though, as soon as the sun goes down, it gets really cold. But in the summer its like like +30 celcius at night. So this time of the year i have to ride during the day. But overall for me i love night riding. its the best.
I typically prefer night riding too(even if it is getting colder out)... less cars and more sport bikes out in my area. I live in populated suburban area south of KC so theres no deer down here :)
I don't particularly care much for night riding, combination of poor lighting on the GS (a Silverstar bulb in the headlight helped, but I'm going to add some driving lights soon) and the halos around light sources at night caused by my contacts - if there's any fog or haze at all, it's like driving through someone's really cheesy Photoshop full of lens flares. I also pass at least 5 deer every night on the way home, and I'm just waiting until one jumps out in front of or into me.
I'm also on guard for Deer around here. (Seems a common theme in the northern third of the U.S.) In another seven weeks it's open season on those animals around here, but too late in the riding season to make much of a difference.
Sorry to hear about your accident, Oppy. I can understand the effort needed to get back in the saddle. In reading it I thought you were more a victim of a set of unfortunate circumstances than caused by the time of the day. But anytime roving dogs take an interest in motorcycles (or bicycles for that matter), it's no fun for the rider.
Quote from: RoadstergalQuote from: RedShiftso long as they drive with lights on
The Hip Thing these days seems to be to drive around with only your running lights, fog lights, or city lights on at night; headlights off. Dumb effers.
Years ago I witnessed a rash of idiot "ghost riders" -- pitch black and driving without any lights on at all. Stuck with me somehow, and I still look for these clowns though I haven't seen it for a long time. Perhaps it's a big city thing?
One last thing. I'm in agreement that the more light you throw the better. I put a PIAA Super White in instead of the stock H4 headlight bulb.
I'm also very tempted to do something about my tail. Something simple that'll flash when I brake -- I've developed the habit of rapidly squeezing the front brake before applying the binders for real as I come up to a stop light.
That reminds me, "Anybody use the 3M Helmet Halo (http://www.aerostich.com/product.php?productid=16514&cat=0&page=1)?" I've resisted thinking its width would block the chin vent.
I try to avoid night riding. If I get in a situation where I have to in order to get home, I will. It's happened maybe three times this year, total of maybe 30 miles out of the 8,000 or so that I've ridden this year.
I find that I can't see the road surface very well at all at night, and am constantly outdriving my lights in that sense. I could easily miss a slick spot or large pothole or whatever until it was too late. Also, my night vision isn't great. It never was, even when I was young, and I'm 59 now.
Apart from that, I have had deer jump out in front of me and have just been lucky so far that I haven't hit one. I am in a semi rural area where they are abundant. On a road where the trees come right up to the road, I have had one actually land in the road in front of me after jumping from maybe (I'm guessing from the trajectory) 20 feet off the road. Because of the trees right at the side of the road, I never saw it until it was actually descending into my path and over the road. If I had been a bit closer, all my training courses, and drills and practice, and careful riding would have been totally worthless. Riding at night in deer country is a lottery, pure and simple!
Another factor is that other drivers can't see a motorcycle as well at night. Other drivers are more likely to be drunk or tired during the night hours as well.
This is all kind of sad, because I really love riding at night, and did a lot of it until I thought about it and reluctantly decided that the risk isn't worth it to me.
Dave Geyer
Merrimack, New Hampshire
Quote from: RedShiftI'm also on guard for Deer around here. (Seems a common theme in the northern third of the U.S.)
:lol: Not just the north... the whitetail deer population in the south has exploded. Its becoming a real problem. They have extended the hunting season to 3 months and you can now take doe the entire season.
Quote
That reminds me, "Anybody use the 3M Helmet Halo?" I've resisted thinking its width would block the chin vent.
i've gone riding twice at night, and I was fine with it both times. The main thing i'm paranoid about is my low visibility from the rear =P Saw this item:
http://www.webbikeworld.com/r2/riderlight/
but that halo looks pretty interesting too. mebbe only use part of it if it's adhesive so you don't cover the chin vent? :dunno: [/quote]
Quote from: raylarrabeethe biggest problem I have with night riding is the constant, massive bug bombardment. After a few miles, I have to pull over and use a window wip to clean the bug juice off my visor.
http://www.simpsonraceproducts.com/products/helmet_tearoffs.aspxGet some tear-off's for your visor. When you start to get "buggy" just tear a layer off. Of course you would then put it in your tank bag or something instead of just tossing it. They are easy to use but you will need to make a couple holes in your visor to hold the tear-off holders.
Quote from: callmelennyFear the deer too much around here. The stock GS light also sucks IMHO
Has anyone tried those deer whistles you can mount on your front fender? Met a rider a couple weeks back who lives in the country and swears by them.
My main fear riding at night is outriding your headlight. It's tempting to go fast but you really need to keep the speed down so that you can avoid roadkill, potholes, etc.
I find the actual riding at night to be most cool. Feels a bit likes you're flying through space.
I've only ridden at night once. It was ok, but not my preference. I don't have the best night vision (and I wear contacts, too), so I'll stick to daytime whenever possible. I do often commute in the morning before the sun has risen, but it's not terribly dark, so I don't mind it. :cheers:
I love it! Two reasons mainly, sometime on my 12 hour night shift I will get a break around 0200 and go for a quick buzz around, you have to allow for the fact that some of the drivers out at that time may be very tired or under the influence of something but generally I find the lack of traffic excellent. Second reason is that around here there are lots of twisty, very small roads often lined with hedges or tress so in daylight you don't have a clue if there is someone coming the other way but at night the lights usually give you both a bit more advance warning.
Also nice and cool in full gear.
I'd like to boost the power of my headlight, can anyone give brands, and parts numbers, ect. for replacement bulbs? I really don't want to do a whole lotta work to get this to work, so something that is basically plug and play will be best. Oh, and if you could tell me where to purchase the bulbs that would help as well.
Like others have said, I also don't like riding at night because of my poor night vision. I'm young too! :( Then again, maybe it's all relative and my night vision is good compared to others.
I'll echo the need to change out the stock bulb. PIAA Super White, you say? What about xenon lights?
I dont like mind riding at night but what I dont like about night is not being able to see things on the road (sand, ect.) I guess it depends on how hard you want to ride.
I really love riding late at night...
Running down a twisty back road, working the brights so you can actually see in the corners... The only problem is pulling over and cleaning the 500,000,000 bugs off your visor...
I like it, but he deer worry me also. The headlight on the F model must be ten times better from what I am hearing from all of you.
:dunno: My headlight is insanely bright... I get bright-flashed 'cause people think I have my brights on... Then I flash my brights at them. :o
Stock bulb too... Not even the bright one.
Quote from: buzzI like it, but he deer worry me also. The headlight on the F model must be ten times better from what I am hearing from all of you.
The F model has two bulbs, rather than one.
Holy crap! That must be like a portable sun.
Quote from: dhgeyerI try to avoid night riding. ... I find that I can't see the road surface very well at all at night, and am constantly outdriving my lights in that sense. I could easily miss a slick spot or large pothole or whatever until it was too late. Also, my night vision isn't great. It never was, even when I was young, and I'm 59 now.
I remember when I was young, and except for the mirror I still am. :)
But you bring up a good point --
Over-riding your headlights.
A long time ago I did some calculations on the velocity needed for my car (at the time) to stop within headlight illumination distance.
I found that if I went faster than 55 MPH, I couldn't stop in time -- I was overdriving.I believe my GS500 can stop quicker, but it would have to be perfect road conditions and I skill to not lock any brakes. I suspect 55 MPH is still a good rule if there's no other illumination in front of you.
Quote from: dhgeyer... This is all kind of sad, because I really love riding at night, and did a lot of it until I thought about it and reluctantly decided that the risk isn't worth it to me.
Dave Geyer
Merrimack, New Hampshire
You're a wise man to know his limitations. :thumb: We all tend to get into trouble when we overstep our abilities and aren't ready for the consequences. Dave, thanks for sharing. :cheers:
Roy...
Quote from: oppy00I'd like to boost the power of my headlight, can anyone give brands, and parts numbers, ect. for replacement bulbs? I really don't want to do a whole lotta work to get this to work, so something that is basically plug and play will be best. Oh, and if you could tell me where to purchase the bulbs that would help as well.
Well Oopy, you're in luck with this problem. The Stock H4 bulb can be replaced with any H4 configured Car headlight bulb.
I'd stick to the same 55w/60w power draw. More power generates greater heat and added load on the generator circuit.
Sylvania Silverstar Halogen bulbs are popular, but when I was looking I bought
PIAA Super Whites (though I forget from where). At stock wattage, they use a higher light temperature (around 3800-4000K, versus 2600-2800K for stock bulbs).
Anyone recommend an internet supplier for either of these puppies?
Quote from: RVertigo:dunno: My headlight is insanely bright... I get bright-flashed 'cause people think I have my brights on... Then I flash my brights at them. :o
Stock bulb too... Not even the bright one.
Are you sure that it's aimed properly? Take a look at this thread:
Is this a healthy headlight pattern?(That thread should be placed in the FAQ for safe-keeping...)
I reference a Motorcyclist Magazine article entitled:
How-To: Your Aim Is True -- Headlight Aiming Explained. Worked well for me. :thumb:
I live in a big city, where the streets are constantly lit and there is little fear of deers. ;)
Lately, I have been working overtime and find myself riding home at night. Personally, I think it is great. I don't have to split-lanes and stress. With less vehicles on the road, I go from :guns: Dodge, duck, dip, dive & dodge to a relaxing cruise home. :thumb:
Quote from: RedShiftAre you sure that it's aimed properly?
I can see great... I can see a foot in front of me and way up the road...
I could aim it lower, but I think it would still mess with people... It's just damn bright.
I have an 05 and the light is sufficent for night riding. The bright is great. I don't think it is fair to compair the unfaired to the faired version though as the headlight design probably is a little better on the 04s and 05s than the older style round headlight. If I had a problem though I would get a xenon bulb and possible aim it a little higher but like i said mine does good at night.
Quote from: RVertigoQuote from: RedShiftAre you sure that it's aimed properly?
I can see great... I can see a foot in front of me and way up the road...
I could aim it lower, but I think it would still mess with people... It's just damn bright.
Sweet!! The reflector then is a darn sight better than the naked GS500E. :thumb:
Quote from: RedShiftSweet!! The reflector then is a darn sight better than the naked GS500E. :thumb:
We have the same... '01.
Maybe I'm just used to driving my Exploder... It has the worst lights I've ever seen... or
not seen.
Stupid thing.
I ride at night all of the time and it does not bother me one bit.
Quote from: raylarrabeethe biggest problem I have with night riding is the constant, massive bug bombardment. After a few miles, I have to pull over and use a window wip to clean the bug juice off my visor.
Jeez, that aint no shaZam! in some of the "less travelled" areas around here. I like to ride with my visor up because I like to feel the wind and hear the bike but sometimes I just have to close it due to all the bugs fwapping me in the face. I've already gotten a few big ones right in the eyeball. I had to pull off the interstate (with one eye barely able to stay open!) for about 15 minutes until I could see normally again. Talk about suckage. Anyway, moral of the story is, I'm more willing to put the visor down at higher speeds than I used to be!
on this last trip up here I cought a metor shower as i was dropping into the south end of the sac river valley. it was around 1 in the morning with very little traffic to contend with and about a hundred miles of straight boring interstate to ride so i spend the next two hours stairing at the stars. a once in a lifetime experience to say the least.
Don't like it!! I can't seem to see a d$%# thing when cars are approaching me at night... that is why I hate it. It isn't as bad in town when the street lights illuminate the road, but once out of town (not hard up here in Maine) I seem to be blinded by approaching cars... and since the roads up here are so f'ing horrible (helllllooooo potholes and frost heaves!!!!!) it downright scares me sometimes! But I am a newbie so maybe I'll get used to it after another couple thousand miles???... :dunno:
Quote from: snowhowndI seem to be blinded by approaching cars
Yep, it sucks. You need to be careful to look away from the oncoming lights. Look at the road ahead. You do get used to it, to some extent, but it'll mess you up if you look at the lights.
i love riding at night especially in the summer when its really humid during the day then night riding is perfect.
Quote from: snowhowndI seem to be blinded by approaching cars
This is the only situation where I look at the shoulder and not straight ahead. It's getting worse as cars start to use higher temperature headlight bulbs. Further, I'm finding more car headlights aren't aimed slightly to the right like they should be.
Quote from: RedShiftIt's getting worse as cars start to use higher temperature headlight bulbs. Further, I'm finding more car headlights aren't aimed slightly to the right like they should be.
I think there's a lot of kids and kids in mentality putting on aftermarket lights and not understanding the concept of aiming. And every soccer mom and dad wants an SUV - their headlights are typically higher and worse for oncoming traffic.
Quote from: davipuon this last trip up here I cought a metor shower as i was dropping into the south end of the sac river valley. ...
I've been meaning to head out of town for 20-30 miles into farm country on a New Moon night and get away from most of the light pollution around me.
Last time I saw the Milky Way was when I was at Scout Camp, some 20 years ago. It can really give you perspective -- how insignificant we are in the context of the grandure of the Universe.
Well, it's time to feed the cats again. At least I have control over at least one thing in my part of the universe, and they're kind enough to let me know it. :)
Quote from: RedShift
Last time I saw the Milky Way was when I was at Scout Camp, some 20 years ago.
:o That's a long time to go w/out seeing the Milky Way! I grew up in the sticks so I could see it any clear night I wanted. When I met my wife who is from Sacramento, I thought she was weird because she had never actually seen most of the constellations (sp?). She just learned them from looking at charts.
I agree that taking some quality time to stargaze gives you some perspective... just seems wrong to live someplace where you can't.
Oh, and just to keep it on topic... I have a '96 and the headlight seems plenty bright for me. I don't know if it's stock or not, but it doesn't seem insanely bright so I assume it is stock.
Or maybe I just have mutant night vision... after all, my good vision seemed to emerge after that time I fell in some industrial sludge.
Quote from: snowhowndI seem to be blinded by approaching cars...
I find it's really important to clean my visor thoroughly w/ soap 'n water before heading out at night...any film on it makes all oncoming headlights blinding. When it's clean I don't have any trouble, provided I don't look directly at any headlights.
Quote from: snowhowndbut once out of town (not hard up here in Maine)
I was up in Freeport a week ago (by car) and it was kind of creepy how dark it was (it was also rainy and generally crappy, and that didn't help). As soon as we passed into NH it felt like they turned the lights on.
Quote from: snowhoundand since the roads up here are so f'ing horrible (helllllooooo potholes and frost heaves!!!!!) it downright scares me sometimes!
I always get a little chill when I pass the sign for "The Widening"...it sounds too much like the title of a Stephen King novel. :lol: Whenever I go that way it's always dark and foggy...
Quote from: Thor S Magic BathtubI have a '96 and the headlight seems plenty bright for me.
The headlight on my '05 is fine as long as I'm going in a relatively straight line. Doesn't help much for highway ramps, though...can't see into the turn at all. I have to remember to flip on the brights, or I'm overriding the headlight at 15mph.
Just to add to this. I didn't like night driving, but now I do. It really helped when I adjusted the lights on my 04. It was new and I assumed everything was perfect. But I couldn't see past 10-15 feet. There was a horizontal line in front of me separating darkness from light. I finally gave in and adjusted the light bulbs. Good God!!! I didn't do any special procedure. I adjusted them to what gave me the most visibility. Meaning some trial and error one night and a couple of refinements here. I can see in front of me know and I can't believe I rode so much like that. I realize it might not be set up according to speck, but my ability to see is much more important. If cagers don't like, well at least they are noticing me.
So even if you have a new bike. I would check that. It's such and easy thing to do as well.
Edited for a stupid spelling mistake.
Quote from: leoIt was knew and I assumed everything was perfect.
I think that headlight targeting is part of the required annual inspection around here. Mine was set up fine when I got it. :dunno: I do have to say that the first time I put on the brights, I was stunned at how bright it actually is, and how much of the area it lit up. It made a huge difference when traversing unlit roads.
Well my brights seemed good as well, but the normal lights just seemed off. Here's a pic of what it looked like before. Actually the horizontal line separating light from dark was maybe 25 feet and not the 10-15 feet on the pic, but you get the idea. It was just irritating driving at 35 mph and overdriving my low beams and seeing this horizontal line right in front of me. If that's correct and legal, then screw being legal. I changed it and now I have more than doubled, almost tripled, what is lit in front of me. Also since the lights aren't facing at such an steep angle down, there is not horizontal line. It just slowly dissapates the further it gets.
This pic is from the top. Hopefully this pic will describe what I was seeing.
(http://www.omslaw.net/misc/headlight.jpg)
Yeah... Mine is MUCH higher than that... (Maybe a little too high come to think of it)...
I can see friggen great.... And as for the guy in front of me... That's why the rear view has that little switch. ;)
Quote from: ditchdoc1017I have a friend in ICU right now been there a week hit a deer at night on a V Star.
I hope he heals up and feels better.
I learned how to ride under the cover of darkness, and it really does help to be able to see the light before the car, but nowadays I'm kind of indifferent. Reflective tape on the helmet, tail (see avatar) and front rim helps!