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: Roadstergal

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.

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?"  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.aspx

Get 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.  

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.  

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.     We all tend to get into trouble when we overstep our abilities and aren't ready for the consequences.  Dave, thanks for sharing.  

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?