So........ inadvertently had my first night ride today. I got home from work, had just finished supper around 1830 and was watching the weather network when a friend of mine sent me a text saying "wanna hit the road?". Far be it from me to pass up an opportunity to go for a ride, i gassed up and we met at the edge of the city, him on his 2011 696 and me on my '05 GS500F. Quite the sight to say the least haha. After a bit of twisties, we decided to grab some drinks (water.........not beer :nono:) and catch the end of the hockey game. Not paying attention to the time... the sun had set by the time we left, around 2100 and hit a couple more twisties. Any who, after we hit the city limits we went our separate ways. When he turned off, i turned on my high beams to ride the remainder of the way home. Holy doodle!!!!! That little GS's high beams put some HID's to shame! I swear that from the other direction i must look like a Cessna lol. I like the little diamond shape about 30 ft out in front of me too, it just looks cool. Any ways, i'm looking forward to my next night ride, no traffic, warmer weather at last, and a headlight that lets you see forever! I love my little GS :kiss3:
Yep - pretty bright. Glad you had a safe first night ride.
Always go slower and be more cautious - lots of critters around at night.
But if you really want bright - add a set of Denali LED fog lights. Look at what these puppies can do:
Normal high beam:
(http://gstwins.com/photogallery/albums/userpics/21426/normal_DSC00126a.JPG)
With the Denali lights also turned on:
(http://gstwins.com/photogallery/albums/userpics/21426/normal_DSC00128a.JPG)
night rides have been a blast so far, definitely ready for the warmer nights!
i'm also very pleased with the light output on my dual 5 3/4" lights. i need to readjust after lowering the back end, but the high beams are great! even with the stock bulb that comes with them
i was thinking, wow i haven't noticed the gs's headlights...because there is no edge of town in nyc! lol. everything is paved, populated and lighted from here to the next state.
tuscondog...you missed our May 1st ride from Cochrane...not that it was a fabulous ride (cut short because my wife needed to be picked up :dunno_white: ), but it would have been nice to meet you...and see another GS500, although I rode my new bike... :icon_twisted: ...the light on the nekid bike isn't great...and I haven't had the chance to ride the new toy at night...although you do need to watch for critters...I was out at sunset trying to get some pics (friggin battery died in the camera...another story), and had two deer pop up on the road in front of me @ 115kph (72mph)...luckily the 2nd deer turned back to the ditch, cause I had to go between :icon_eek: ...good heart rate increase and a wake up call...all I could think was "not the new bike, not the new bike..." :dunno_black:
Enjoy the ride, but keep your witts about you!!
Later.
riding at night is the best,....
I actually perfer riding at night, have to be more careful, but theres nothing better than a warm summers night
Quote from: madjak30 on May 10, 2011, 07:33:23 AM
although you do need to watch for critters...I was out at sunset
From years of working in Emergency Departments it is my experience that the majority of all animal strikes happen at dawn or dusk. From my own personal experience (in a car) I have had three large animal strikes two at dusk and one at dawn.
I love night rides, they're more fun in the city though. Hate being out in the suburbs/country at night. I see a ton of deer at dusk, but both of the deer I've hit were between 11pm-2:30am, so I'm definitely cautious no matter how late I'm out.