advice on dusk/dark riding? not done it since around 1974...

[lucydad]

All you experts,

May I ask for some safety, tips, general advice on dusk/dark riding please?  With my new garage geometry, I can within seconds gear up and roll.  That means around 7:45 to 9 pm:  dusk to near dark riding here in Sugar Land.  I don't plan long, into the pitch blackness country rides, I will be on mainly secondary and a few freeway swan-abouts. 

My night vision is excellent, and that helps. 

Back in the old days in Durango, CO:  best riding ever was dusk/dark in the dry/cool summer months. Absolutely loved it.  Not so cool or dry here, but the broiling sun is down. 

Please help a dusk/dark newby?   

Much appreciated in advance.

[JayDee24ca]

And take off yer shades........
Not a big deal. Watch for game etc. as they tend to start moving about more at that time of day. You should be more noticeable with your headlights than during daytime, so that's good. Like I said, its not a big deal, not sure what you're worried about.
JD

[Gliderjohn]

I avoid it if at all possible due to deer.
GliderJohn

[Penderic]

Just don't get too comfortable or you may fall asleep.

 

[Triple Jim]

I avoid it if at all possible due to deer.

That's the big one here, although Blue Tongue Disease has made a huge dent in the deer population of late.  Still, if I ride at night here, it's a bit under the legal limit, and high awareness, with the brake levers covered.

[tpeever]

All you experts,

May I ask for some safety, tips, general advice on dusk/dark riding please?  With my new garage geometry, I can within seconds gear up and roll.  That means around 7:45 to 9 pm:  dusk to near dark riding here in Sugar Land.  I don't plan long, into the pitch blackness country rides, I will be on mainly secondary and a few freeway swan-abouts. 

My night vision is excellent, and that helps. 

Back in the old days in Durango, CO:  best riding ever was dusk/dark in the dry/cool summer months. Absolutely loved it.  Not so cool or dry here, but the broiling sun is down. 

Please help a dusk/dark newby?   

Much appreciated in advance.

I avoid riding a motorcycle at dusk/night at all costs. Deer scare the s*$t outta me

[Moto Fugazzi]

I like riding at night, as it makes me be aware of everything around me, and that has helped in life in general-it makes me notice things that others don't notice.
I've seen some cool things while riding at night-an owl eating a mouse on the side of the road, a street full of toads by a creek, fields of fireflies (or lighting bugs as some call them), lightning storms in the distance, etc. It's nature at it's best.
Just pay attention to everything around you, and you'll do fine.
Ken

[Doppelgaenger]

I enjoy urban night riding the most. Especially exploring industrial areas.

I always ride slower at night. 50-55 is the fastest I dare go unless it's on the freeway in which case I ride like normal. At night you have to watch for young car enthusiasts who think they are the next michael schumacher. I'd rather take my chances with deer than young idiots in metal cages.

[Muzz]

I love riding at night. We have possums on the roads at night but the deer here are jumpy and stay well away. I tend to do the same speeds at night as I do in the daytime;  about 60mph.  Make sure your visor is clean and polished; oncoming lights can be a bit of a bear if they refract on scratches etc.  In summer the temps are often better too.

[cleatusj]

I find yellow lens glasses help in low light and to cut glare from headlights just at dark.

[JoeB]

Good lighting, no make that very good lighting.

[Guzzer]

DEER!
Here in the countryside of Missouri, you can see a deer every few miles at sundown.  If one clears the road in front of you, keep your brakes on!

There'll be more!

[pete mcgee]

Simple answer, dont unless you have to.
We have roo's, you guys have deer, both like running into you in bad light.
Plan B is have your bum in a camp chair with a beer in hand around a camp fire or a comphy bar by nightfall.
I have come to this answer after 30 odd years riding long distances a lot of the time at night.
YMMV.
Either way enjoy what you do.

[jknight611]

DEER! Our Mississippi deer are just plain stupid!  You can see them standing along the side of the road grazing at night, you will think you are safe, and they will bolt out.  A friend was hit about mid pillion by a deer he thought he was safely past. 

Willing to provide recipes.......

[Vasco DG]

Recent insurance company statistics have shown that my area has the highest number of claims for wildlife strikes in New South Wales which probably means in the whole country on a population density level.

I think I'd rather stab myself in the kidney with a spade than try riding, (Or driving!) at dawn or dusk and I'm too old and boring to be anywhere outside Bungendore after dark even in the middle of winter.

No wildlife? Go fer yer life! Around here you'd need to have a death wish!

Pete

[pressureangle]

I avoid riding a motorcycle at dusk/night at all costs. Deer scare the s*$t outta me

Not only deer, but most people have their worst vision at dusk. They still think they can see, and don't get cautious until after dark.

I just don't do it.

[atavar]

I like riding at night, as it makes me be aware of everything around me, and that has helped in life in general-it makes me notice things that others don't notice.
I've seen some cool things while riding at night-an owl eating a mouse on the side of the road, a street full of toads by a creek, fields of fireflies (or lighting bugs as some call them), lightning storms in the distance, etc. It's nature at it's best.
Just pay attention to everything around you, and you'll do fine.
Ken

+1!!!
Don't be afraid of riding at night, it is just another aspect of motorcycle riding.  Just be aware, alert and don't out-ride your headlights. 

[canuguzzi]

Riding at night is not like riding at dusk or dawn.

40+ years of experience say why ride during the most dangerous times tobbebon the road driving or riding anything unless you have no other choice? That also applies to walking along roads, bicycling or anything else on the streets.

You can see and been seen at night when it is nearly impossible at dusk or dawn.

It is simply the highest risk time to ride.

[Spuddy]

If you ARE going to ride at night:

Make sure you have at least fogs beamed just below main beams and angled slightly toward the borrow pits for full time peripheral illumination. (IE: you are not concerned with blinding on coming traffic and distracted with switching the auxiliary lights off and on;)

Be aware most normal deer/animal activity takes place just before dawn and before dusk;

Develop the habit of frequent scanning for wildlife even when driving any vehicle;

In times of drought,  vegetation grows "best" right at the edge of roadways attracting more animals closer to the roadway than "normal."

Spud

[LowRyter]

Deer

and Buffalo in the wildlife preserves   

[travelingbyguzzi]

I don't like riding in the dark. Dusk and Dawn can be the best part of the day in hot country like Texas. In humid country like Arkansas, the bugs that come out in late evening can be a buzzkill.
The usual rules apply: deer, early drunks and potheads, bugs.Still beats sitting home.

[cloudbase]

I try not to ride at night on roads that I haven't ridden during daylight.  It gives me a chance to mark the minefield.

[wrbix]

I find yellow lens glasses help in low light and to cut glare from headlights just at dark.

I would have to strongly disagree with this (as do many vision/optician experts via a Google search) - I ride with a yellow tinted face shield during the day but always carry a clear to change out at dusk - much better night vision when not having any of the light spectrum blocked.

I've always been super vigilant (read scared sheeshless) of deer at night - will be even more so soon when we move to our new place just above Chilhowie, VA - just found out Chilhowie is Native American for "valley of many deer". 

[charlie b]

I ride near dawn almost every day of the year on my commute.  Deer are what I watch for, but, a very close second is people pulling out in front of me.  On back highways there are blind driveways and intersections all over the place.  They are also where heavy rains will wash gravel into the road.

I like having multiple lights on the front AND rear and am a stong advocate of the 'triangle' of lights being the most observable to others.

Remember that if you are almost blinded by the setting sun, the folks behind you are too.  And if the setting sun is behind you then folks coming at you cannot see you either.

PS I also put a strip of tape across my visor so I can 'block' the sun without using my hands.

[rodekyll]

I think the odds of a deer strike are the same regardless of the hour.

I agree that dusk/dawn is different than night driving.  NIGHT driving may be improved with yellow glasses -- we use them on the shooting range when light conditions are bad and they help with detail and contrast.  Dusk and dawn are neither fish nor fowl for light.  I go with clear lenses.

I do a lot of riding at night.  With the distances I have to travel, if I only did it during optimal conditions I'd never get anywhere.  I have hit owls and doggish-critters but no deer yet.  I enjoy my night riding.  The only things I don't like about it are that I'm missing the scenery, and lack of fuel stops.

But as pointed out above, dusk driving is not the same as night driving.  I try to take a dinner break or nap around dusk and continue my ride in either full light or full dark.  It's not a fear of  deer.  It's that the constantly changing light fatigues me.

[kirkemon]

Getting back to the OP, I use an amber (yellow?) visor when it's dark.
Dusk or dawn I'd probably go with a clear.
I hate riding directly into the sun, I think it's dangerous, but sometime unavoidable.

[dilligaf]

I think the odds of a deer strike are the same regardless of the hour.

1030 in the morning on my way to Swamp Scooters.

 
Matt

[Wayne Orwig]

Don't do it. It is dangerous.
In fact, motorcycling is dangerous.
And don't get me started on cars. Dangerous....


 

Or, you can be an adult and decide what your risk level is for yourself.

I ride after dark every work day. Just me, the deer, and the drunks.

At night you want a LOT of light, or go very slow. Stock lighting is usually poor.
Blue colored lighting (HID or LED) will make it hard to see in haze and fog.
An odd one that got me years ago. On a dark street, behind me was a well lit shopping center. My headlight actually made me blend in and disappear with the lights behind me. I would have been more visible to oncoming traffic if my headlight was OFF. So now in those situation I count on added running lights.

[atavar]

I will ride day or night, rain or shine, I have ridden in blizzards and hailstorms, swamp and desert, through cities and farmlands, parks and game preserves.

I refuse to let fear keep me from riding and experiencing life in general.  If you start going down that road it is a slippery slope toward life alternating between the couch and the SUV.

40+ years of riding without and accident involving another vehicle or a critter (that stopped the bike or injured me).  I attribute this to caution and alertness and practice.  Make of it what you will, different folks have different methods.  Mine works for me. 

I will have the joy and risk the pain rather than lose the joy for sure.  YMMV

[tris]

Good lighting, no make that very good lighting.

 :1: :1: :1: :1:

My night riding experience was transformed by replacing the sealed beam unit that the bike was built with and replacing it with a new Wipac one using freeform reflector technology. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LAND-ROVER-DEFENDER-SVX-7-WIPAC-H4-CRYSTAL-FREEFORM-HEADLAMPS-RHD-S6096-589783-/371059022630?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5664d75b26

Problem with the old unit was that the lens over time had acquired a milky film on the inside that due to the internal fittings couldn't be wiped away

The new one is not "period" for the bike as it has a clear glass but the light spread (dipped and main) is nearly as good as the 4 lights on my Octavia

On balance, I'd rather see where I'm going than worry about what some of the pedants might think!