When many motorcyclists first get their new motorcycles and start to ride they are often surprised at how different riding on the streets and highways is compared to the safe little area that they practiced in before getting their permit. I have been around new cyclists for years and almost without exception, they all remark how unsettling their first trip down the highway was on a motorcycle. If that wasn't bad enough then they get to face the experience of riding a motorcycle after dark for the first time.
If you have never ridden a motorcycle after dark then you cannot quite appreciate what a different experience this is compared to riding during the daytime. There are simply a large number of challenges that after dark riding presents compared to daytime riding. One of the main issues is simply visibility, both your own and the other motorists on the road. You are harder to see at night and things are harder to see at night, which is kind of stating the obvious but until you experience it yourself, you simply have no idea.
How to Be Seen Better
If you are going to ride at night very often then you want to make sure that you are as visible as possible. You have many different options including high visibility clothing, reflective tape on your helmets or reflective tape on your motorcycle itself.
You can purchase special jackets or helmets that reflect light from cars behind you and literally glow in the dark, kind of like road signs on the side of the road. If you have ever noticed how they are so easy to see and read at night then the same options are available for clothing. You also want to make sure that your lighting on your motorcycle is functional as well. You only have one taillight so you want to make sure it works. It isn't like a car where you have two and can afford to lose one.
How to See Better
In addition to being seen then you also want to make sure that you can see better. Many riders wear special glasses that have coated lenses that improve night vision. Another great alternative can be to upgrade the lighting on your motorcycle with aftermarket headlights or turn signals so that you have a brighter, cleaner and broader field of vision. Many options are available so research what is best for your motorcycle and your situation.
If you have never ridden a motorcycle after dark then you cannot quite appreciate what a different experience this is compared to riding during the daytime. There are simply a large number of challenges that after dark riding presents compared to daytime riding. One of the main issues is simply visibility, both your own and the other motorists on the road. You are harder to see at night and things are harder to see at night, which is kind of stating the obvious but until you experience it yourself, you simply have no idea.
How to Be Seen Better
If you are going to ride at night very often then you want to make sure that you are as visible as possible. You have many different options including high visibility clothing, reflective tape on your helmets or reflective tape on your motorcycle itself.
You can purchase special jackets or helmets that reflect light from cars behind you and literally glow in the dark, kind of like road signs on the side of the road. If you have ever noticed how they are so easy to see and read at night then the same options are available for clothing. You also want to make sure that your lighting on your motorcycle is functional as well. You only have one taillight so you want to make sure it works. It isn't like a car where you have two and can afford to lose one.
How to See Better
In addition to being seen then you also want to make sure that you can see better. Many riders wear special glasses that have coated lenses that improve night vision. Another great alternative can be to upgrade the lighting on your motorcycle with aftermarket headlights or turn signals so that you have a brighter, cleaner and broader field of vision. Many options are available so research what is best for your motorcycle and your situation.
If you want to see better at night then consider upgrading your
motorcycle headlight with something like an HID motorcycle headlight and see your way clearly. You won't regret it.
motorcycle headlight with something like an HID motorcycle headlight and see your way clearly. You won't regret it.
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