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Night rideing

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sidewinder
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PostPosted: 22:31 - 10 Mar 2012    Post subject: Night rideing Reply with quote

Dont laugh but im slowly building up the courage to ride at night time.Up till now i was a little bit worried about it.but i am slowly doing a bit more.So i was hoping you could give me a few tips to enjoy it more.I know i should mtfu but some words of wisdom would be gratefully received.
Thank you sw
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Nick 50
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PostPosted: 22:39 - 10 Mar 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

What bike have you got and has it got standard headlight bulb in it?

If so, change it for something decent.

RIDE magazine Headlight Bulb review:

https://www.motorcyclenews.com/upload/Ride%20Magazine/Product%20test%20pdfs/Headlight%20bulb%20test.pdf

I changed my standard to a Philips Extreme Power and it's a huge improvement.

Wear a reflective belt/vest.

At times I find it easier as there is less traffic. Just be cautious with cars at side junctions.
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Current Bikes: ZX7r 97 (Black Beauty), VFR400 NC24 (The banana)
Previous Bikes: Aprilia Tuono 03 (The Beast), CBR600f (97)
First bike: A GZ125 Lemon.......
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Alpha-9
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PostPosted: 23:07 - 10 Mar 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Weird, I like driving at night, less traffic about and more people driving around for fun, good times Thumbs Up


Stick a hi-vis on just jump in the deep end, you'll be fine, the streets are pretty well lit generally, have a practice around residential areas.


Went for a ride at 2am last night for the first time, had a great time Mr. Green Thumbs Up
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sidewinder
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PostPosted: 23:17 - 10 Mar 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you for the replys
I have Been wearing a high vis band.Bike is a 600 divvy think the bulb is standard.Its not bad in the town.its more on the unlit roads..

Sw
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sidewinder
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PostPosted: 23:18 - 10 Mar 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you for the replys
I have Been wearing a high vis band.Bike is a 600 divvy think the bulb is standard.Its not bad in the town.its more on the unlit roads..

Sw
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Alpha-9
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PostPosted: 23:18 - 10 Mar 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Surely you've rode at night before on a 125?
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sidewinder
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PostPosted: 23:28 - 10 Mar 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Alpha-9 wrote:
Surely you've rode at night before on a 125?


No i went straight das with no experiance of riding before.. Sad
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Recluso
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PostPosted: 23:36 - 10 Mar 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

A decent bulb really inspires more confidence. My YBR's standard was crap. Barely lit anything up. New halogen bulb made all the difference. Also alleviated that occasional 'OH GOD WHERE'S THE ROAD?' that struck when I hit a dark corner.

I would recommend starting with roads you're very familiar with. When you already know the layout, that's very soothing. There's nothing worse than plunging into dark, unlit, twisty woodland roads when you're feeling a bit 'ooer' about riding in the dark.

I personally love night riding. I wrap up warm, plug in some music and away I go. Once you get used to it, I'd be very surprised if you didn't find it a very peaceful experience.
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sidewinder
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PostPosted: 00:10 - 11 Mar 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cheers for the advice guys Thumbs Up
Think will try a bulb and give that ago.The road diserpering on corners is another thing which puts me off.
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Nope.
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PostPosted: 00:18 - 11 Mar 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just MTFU and do it? Its the only way you'll actually ever get used to it and build up your confidence.

I actually really enjoy riding at night, its brilliant fun even with crappy headlights. For the first few times just stick to roads you know, that way theres less chance of there being anything unexpected.
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Former: Derbi GP1 50, Sachs XTC 125, Suzuki GSXR 400 GK73A, Kawasaki ZX7R, Suzuki DR250, Yamaha RD350
Current: 2011 Yamaha XT660Z Ténéré, 2003 Yamaha YZR-R1 5PW (In Build), 2009 Kawasaki ZZR1400
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Sam_Y_93
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PostPosted: 00:57 - 11 Mar 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

I enjoy it on roads I know. The route back from my mates that I have done a few times at the early hours on the morning is always fun, but I often manage to see fairly large speeds in villages...
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Bikes Past: Yamaha Aerox (sold) Yamaha R125 (written off)
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Muscle Bike Rider
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PostPosted: 01:05 - 11 Mar 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

I just got some new bulbs for my divvy as spares, two for price of one which give 30% more light from ebay with a free set of side lights, see link below mate.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/310131834844?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1497.l2649
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Old Bikes :2010 Kawasaki ER6 F & 2000 Honda VTR Firestorm
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Going
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Joined: 26 Feb 2012
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PostPosted: 01:43 - 11 Mar 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Watch out for foxes on suicide missions Smile
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sidewinder
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PostPosted: 01:55 - 11 Mar 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thank you for the link A5stra Thumbs Up
Its not foxes you worry about here. It's the sheep sleeping by the roads Very Happy
Seriously though will get out tomorrow night.I got the bike to save money so need to use it at night as well as daytime...
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Tomzo47
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PostPosted: 02:25 - 11 Mar 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

had my bike about a month and had to get back from work at 2 in the morning, its not as bad as you think, just be carful on unlit roads
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Im-a-Ridah
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PostPosted: 05:47 - 11 Mar 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

The first step is to make sure your visor is clean and mostly free of scratches. This is a far bigger issue than your headlight bulbs. Next, clean the reflector inside the headlight if it is dirty, and wash the front of the bike regularly. On the topic of headlight bulbs, don't go spending lots of money, a bulb costing a couple quid will do the job just fine. The next step would be to uprate the wiring and consider higher wattage bulbs, as it's the drop in voltage due to poor wiring that loses you a lot of light.
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Im-a-Ridah
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PostPosted: 19:30 - 11 Mar 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Why you need two threads?
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sidewinder
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PostPosted: 20:19 - 11 Mar 2012    Post subject: Reply with quote

Im-a-Ridah wrote:
Why you need two threads?
must of double posted some how
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Old Thread Alert!

The last post was made 14 years, 71 days ago. Instead of replying here, would creating a new thread be more useful?
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