Stay Upright - Riding at night

Brendon Thompson from STAY UPRIGHT looks at the potential hazards that come with night time riding - and how to avoid them. Reduced visibility is the most obvious difficulty encountered when riding a motorcycle at night. That results in reduced time to respond to hazards and is compounded when you consider other possible problems such as being dazzled by oncoming traffic, rider fatigue and maybe even animals on the road, especially in country areas. On a wet night, things get worse with a fogged up visor and a reduction in road grip through the tyres. So if you intend to ride your motorcycle after dark, we suggest that some serious preparation would be a wise move!

WATCH YOUR SPEED
Speed must be reduced at night, but watch out for speed creeping up without realising it. One way to judge the correct speed for night riding is to be able to stop in the distance you can see ahead.

CONCENTRATE
Riding in the dark requires increased levels of concentration which makes you tired much quicker, so ensure you stop regularly for a break. Keeping warm is also an important factor in reducing rider fatigue at night.

THE RIGHT VISOR
Make sure you have a scratch free visor and if you use a tinted visor for daytime riding, carry a clear one as well and know how to change it. Tinted visors are dangerous at night - any night! Oncoming lights can dazzle a motorcyclist on their own without being magnified by the scratches on a visor in poor condition.

HEADLIGHTS
Check that your headlight is properly adjusted for maximum penetration on high beam, while not dazzling and distracting oncoming traffic when on low beam. The lens should be clean and free of bugs and other build-up, and be aware that some headlight protectors can reduce the strength of the beam.There are also some useful techniques riders can use to help predict what is coming up on the road ahead.

REFLECTORS SHOW THE WAY
Twisty country roads with blind crests and negative camber present an additional challenge at night. The best and simplest way to judge direction changes on the road ahead is watching the position of the reflectors on the guide posts on the side of the road. Red reflectors on the left hand side of the road (as in the tail lights of a vehicle you are following) and white reflectors on the right hand side (as in the headlights of an oncoming vehicle) make it much easier to stay correctly positioned and follow the path of the road ahead.

AVOIDING THE DAZZLE
It is common to be dazzled by oncoming headlights, so as an oncoming vehicle approaches, try to look towards the left of the road and away from the bright glare. And don't forget to dip your own high beam headlight as a vehicle approaches.

BE SEEN
Most textile jackets and even leather jackets these days have reflective panels, but if you're planning on doing a lot of night time riding, especially on country roads or in poorly lit urban areas, a reflective vest can be a valuable addition to your riding gear. You may not think it's "cool" to wear a reflective vest, but remember, if your vision is reduced at night, the same applies to other road users. Give them them every chance of seeing you - and less chance of hitting you!

Until next time Stay Upright. . . . after dark!
Brendon Thompson
State Manager, Tasmania
Stay Upright Motorcycle Techniques