night riding

[fezza612]

i start my new job tomorrow (hgv mechanic) and have to work the nightshift i've never really riden at night so i was wondering is there anything i should be looking out for?
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Previous: '02 Honda CG125, '03 yamaha enticer
Current: '98 Kawasaki GPZ500S

[The Shaggy D.A.]

Night riding is easy. Just keep your speed to a point where you can stop within the distance you can see. If you've a candle in a Marmite jar for a headlamp and you have unlit country roads on moonless nights, that might be 20mph. If it's a lit motorway with twin HID headlamps, that might be 140mph.

If an oncoming vehicle is blinding you, don't try to blind them back, just look down at the kerb until they've passed.

Depending on your shift hours, enjoy the lack of other traffic
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Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[SlimRick]

If your lights are up to it then night riding can be fantastic fun. Much less traffic, and you can see anything coming pretty well. Make sure your visor is clean and scratch free as that really increases glare from oncoming lights.

[fezza612]

i'm gonna strap some badass torches to the bike as my headlights are shit!!
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Previous: '02 Honda CG125, '03 yamaha enticer
Current: '98 Kawasaki GPZ500S

[ncrn]

Keep your headlight clean because it is surprising how much a small amount of dirt can block light. Also if your visor is scratched up its worth getting a new one it makes a huge difference. Oh and wearing a high vis jacket helps people see you, it doesn't look cool but it can help.
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Past: 55 Sym Jet, 91 ZZR250, 03 NSR125R. Present: 97 ER-5.
https://www.nsr125.co.uk - NSR Owners forum.

[neil.]

Try and source a halogen replacement for your bulb at the same wattage. Made a difference on my 125, especially on unlit roads. The lack of traffic makes it much safer and enjoyable IMO, but be careful of getting tired and 'zoning' out if it's a long trip. Also carry a spare set of bulbs with the right tools to change them, as you will go to set off one day with a dead bulb on the bike, so be prepared for a possible roadside change.
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CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)

[Doovy]

make sure you have plenty of petrol in case you start to run low.. if it is late then many petrol stations will not be open; or refuse to serve you until you take helmet off, pay first and sign your life to the devil.
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Yamaha RXS 100 > Honda CD 250 > Honda Hornet 600 > Honda CBR 600RR > Yamaha RXS 100 > Kawasaki ZX6R J2 > Yamaha FZ1

[fezza612]

thanks for the replies spare bulbs and hi viz sounds like a winner
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Previous: '02 Honda CG125, '03 yamaha enticer
Current: '98 Kawasaki GPZ500S

[Stelmer]

If your headlight uses standard wattage bulbs (same as car) then upgrade to Phillips X-treme Power bulbs. They were voted by what car as being the best high brightness upgrade bulb.

Osram Nightbreakers came second, only just though.


Failing that, i've seen what the 35w HID upgrade kit looks like and if I had a bike with a 35w lamp, i'd upgrade it to this. Surprisingly penetrating without the glare of the 55w kit.

[neatbik]

The only thing i dont like about night riding is the wildlife, i often get rabbits and foxes running out in front of me, it shits me right up

[Noxious89123]

+1 for the phillips bulbs, they make a noticeable difference, and without any modification to your headlight or wiring. Not cheap though, considering it's just a bulb.
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'06 Honda CBR125RW-6 ~ '00 Honda CBR600F-Y ~ '07 Honda CBR600RR-7 ~ Bikeless
'53 Ford Ka 1.3 ~ '03 Vauxhall Astra SRi 1.8 ~ '52 Vauxhall Astra SRi 2.2 ~ '53 Vauxhall Astra GSi

[Clanger]

Enjoy the relatively empty roads, and enjoy.
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[Noxious89123]

[neil.]

Out of interest, is there one of those Philips bulbs that will fit a BA20D, found on a CG, YBR and no doubt other 125's and scoots? I can't seem to find one myself, so I currently use a Halfords Bike-It halogen which has been great.
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CBT February 2008 | A2 June 2008 | Yamaha YBR125 (written off) | Honda CBF125 (current)