The Dangers of Riding a Motorcycle at Night

[@jefferythomas4414]

Hi Brandon, my son, my son. If you see this you took my advice and watched this video and subbed to MC Rider!!! Love, Dad.....

[@cameronhicks5225]

Great advice Dad! If my Dad rode he would be suggesting this channel and this video also haha!

[@MCrider]

Where are you at Brandon? Dad is looking for you on here. ;)

[@liammorris6354]

I took inventory of my ride timing last evening. I was aware that my next right turn would be putting me right into the bright setting sun. I chose instead to pull over to a train station for 10 minutes. It made all the difference. I wasn’t fighting my vision against the sun, and I prevented myself from being lost in a trailing drivers sun-blinded vision either.

[@lawrenceharrison7607]

Awesome comment that points out what most of us take for granted. It is wise to know that even if we can see other drivers, they may not be able to see us, don't assume they can. In the early morning before the sun comes up, dew that wont evaporate easily on windshields blocks driver vision considerably, so watch out at these times as well.

[@fredorico41]

Just waiting 10mins can save your life, I live in Australia 🇦🇺, you have to be careful of Kangaroos on out of town and Country roads.

[@terrydebord7878]

I have been riding for about 50 years and agree with you 100 percent.

[@chadmartin6334]

Geez seeing that opening makes me wonder sometimes why I ride a motorcycle. So many people have their heads up their you know what

[@WhackBytch256]

Escape routes aren't only for at stops. Always know where yours is.

[@30pvfd]

Will not ride at night too many idiots and drunks I don’t drink but makes me wonder all the bike nights and riders drinking makes no since bikes and booze don’t mix

[@garethdv]

I work night shifts in a hospital and ride all the time at night. That clip in the beginning is a common occurrence to me specially being in a country where nobody follows the traffic rules police included.

[@premswarooppaul1109]

The same issues in my country as well. Ride safe and defensive. Best wishes

[@ironhorserider1066]

Keep on paying attention.these lessons are a great tool.saved my life a bunch

[@AmerSheikh]

I hate riding at night and unless I really have to I will avoid it in all circumstances. Excellent video and great tips!

[@ozpilotgirl]

Same here. I'd rather ride in the rain during the day than ride at night!

[@BeaverDaveECV]

I avoid riding at night except on very rare occasions. I mainly ride to sight see and use my Harley for relaxation. You brought up some good points.

[@drtomintucson]

I ran out of daylight on a ride with my gf on the back. It had recently rained so the roads were damp. We rode into a construction zone with little to no street lighting. The combination of the construction lane markers and the wet fresh asphalt made the road literally disappear. That was a bit intense. Having worked on road construction projects I am aware of the mayhem that can happen, with misplaced markers and unmarked materials. I would advise to slow way the heck down in construction zones. Especially at night.

[@2bikemikesguitartopics145]

Yup, I've learned all these tips over time. But, its not just for moto riding, it's the same operating any vehicle at night.

[@davidklementis5913]

One piece of advice I got from a truck driver is about night in the country, especially during rainy weather. If there are above ground power lines and you are coming to a sharp turn you can see the light reflection off them from cars coming from the other direction before you see them get to the curve. Just a nice tidbit of info for what it's worth.

[@josephcarni7349]

I used to ride at night way back in the 70s. Took a break from riding and started again about 5 years ago and haven't rode at night in those 5 years.

[@davehamilton8034]

Here in Pa. we deal with what I call the "3 D's" at night. Deers, drunks, and dumb asses. Now granted, we can encounter all three in the daytime. But at night, it's WAY more likely. I really try to not ride at night, but it happens from time to time. Extra caution is definitely called for. Youda best, Kevin!!😎

[@jguilletjr]

You mentioned Dead Animals on the road. One thing I would like to add. Day or night the animal may only be injured, and not dead. It may move as you approach it so be aware. This may sound far fetched but just keep it in mind.

[@Neithersilvernorgold]

Who could dislike this video? My goodness people!!! If this isn’t one of the best content channels on KZbin I don’t know what is!

[@dabike]

Who knew the pirate patch had such a purpose? Not only a wealth of motorcycle knowledge but also pirate trivia!

[@MCrider]

MCpiratetrivia.com It looks like that domain is available. ;)

[@silvershadow013]

@@MCrider Aargh!!! ☠

[@BeingHumanInSouthAfrica]

The other thing worthwhile doing is driving behind a car (not too close; and if you're in South Africa then you don't want the car to think you're following it) and allowing the car's headlights to light up the road for you. - Obviously this needs a car. I've found that even if I'm riding 10 or 20 km/h less than the speed limit, it's ok. I get home and I get to see ahead.

[@davolbc]

I find the fault with that would be intersections. This is because the person you had about ready to make a left across your lanes sees only the car and thinks it's clear after that. So after the car ahead of you passes the intersection the oncoming car making the left hand turn might turn directly into you. I always want to make sure all cars see me so I may lean or swerve as to alert the occupant of the vehicle that is going to turn that I am not a street light. I also use my headlight flashers.

[@marinablueGS]

Learned something new today....didn't know about the pirate eye patch.

[@MCrider]

...and now you do. ;) and you thought this was just a motorcycle channel.

[@JackTRyan]

@@MCrider The eye patch story is an interesting story but I really doubt it is anything more than that. I'd bet it's just an anecdote.

[@aedrake1977]

The only pro about night riding is minimal traffic. I will be using the one trick mentioned here. Thanks kevin

[@dalevoigt8612]

On curvie roads you can see vehicles coming by their lights lightening up the road edges. Before they go around the corner.

[@fernandolacerda3f]

I ride since my teens, now in my late 30s with 10+ years of experience I still avoid travel at night... Motorcycles are my main way of transportation, even when traveling, unless I have my whole family with me, but due to my tight agenda most family trips are made by my wife, she drives everybody wherever they want and I catch up with them later in my motorcycle, but sometimes the destination is too far away from where I'm working, so I have to ride at night, you said everything right, I'd add two more things, insects... Most places have bug problems, when your visor gets hit by bugs a lot it tends to obstruct your vision, and if you have rain then it's a lot harder, so take a bottle of water or alcohol with clean sheets for cleaning from time to time... two, light yellow glasses, I bought as a night drive, them helps to clear a little bit of the distortion from the others vehicles headlights, including the distortion that the pinlock visor make, and in a motorcycle at night any help is needed and greatly appreciated... Overall keep your following distance, don't override your headlights and stop from time to time to rest and you'll be fine...

[@peterk671]

Because of my work, I often have to travel during the night. I always look at the curb line when driving or riding, it keeps your night vision

[@Mastersgd]

My father who was a biker who was born in 1935 and a even a grand father who was a LA County Police Officer in the 1930 who also happened to be a Motorcycle Cop. The one trick was early in my and my brothers training as we took to the road even while car driving. Today at 60 yrs old I drive both a two wheel and three wheel bike, and just so happen to do 90 % of my riding in the dark. Thanks for all the great videos that I have been getting my wife to read NOW that she rides her own three wheel

[@lwsrider]

What you said about the patch is absolutely true. It was "confirmed" on the tv series "Mythbusters."

[@MCrider]

If they said it, it has to be true. ;)

[@helloitsdawn]

@@MCrider I was wait for exactly that kind of a response...🤣

[@grantbradley5084]

I make a concerted effort to be at my destination and off my motorcycle prior to sunset. Even with the illumination of my Led driving lights on my RT, it’s very rare that I will be riding at night. Great video once again👍

[@timothydavidson1398]

Oh the Irony. I just wrecked my 09 Heritage last night. Then I wake up this morning to this video lol. Be safe Kevin and thank you for your hard work in these videos to help us all. Stay safe Kevin shiny side up man!

[@almulakimaalimalriadiat9068]

I am glad you are safe... assuming you are safe since you are on youtube.

[@MCrider]

Sorry to hear that, hopefully no major injuries.

[@timothydavidson1398]

Just some road rash. And bruising. I am okay. Bike is probably totaled but I'm alive and well with all limbs in tacked. Thank you.

[@timothydavidson1398]

Keviyif you ever find your self in Lubbock reach out and we shall go ride.

[@4loyal]

I have ridden at night while on long distance road trips, but riding at night is not my preferred riding condition! While riding at night I’ve found it quite challenging to maintain good visibility with oncoming traffic due to the blinding effect of headlights, so I look away from headlights momentarily, then back to the road; that seems to work well for me. I spent 26 years in the navy where I was constantly transitioning from dark compartments to the flight deck or vice versa and had to pause for a few seconds before proceeding; that pause allowed my eyes to adjust to the changing lighting condition!

[@stoney3398]

As a few have mentioned, auxiliary lighting can be the most important thing you can add to your bike. I would like to go one step further and add that the quality of the lights make a huge difference. This isn’t the time to be cheap; get the good stuff if you can at all afford to. The same goes for replacement headlight bulbs. I did a ton of searching online and reading reviews, and ended up with a pair if LED bulbs to replace my halogen ones, and the road is now well lit, without blinding oncoming traffic.

[@c130yooperdog8]

Last cross country ride of the season last year riding down the interstate with my brothers, pitch black out, came around a curve, at least thee dead deer strewn across across the lanes. Star burst pattern, every man for himself. Quarter mile down the road, pulled over checking the bikes and cleaning our shorts. Good thing we were spread out and going slower.

[@MCrider]

Wow, amazing that no one went down.

[@ksneia]

Intro was usual things for me, l have it at day and night, bike, car, bus, in straight and corner. I hate riding at night, mostly on weekend, more traffic than weekdays. Long time ago, someone told me to close one eye, when facing those high beam, and it works. but now l have helmet with Internal smoke visor, l put it quarter way out, so l only need tilt my head down to shield my eyes when pasing those high beam. I'm sure reflective stickers on my front helmet shine bright.

[@MCrider]

But then you are riding at night with bugs and no eye protection.

[@ksneia]

@@MCrider the helmet has 2 visors, the outside visor is clear which l close, so no bugs come inside.

[@rd0054]

Hello Kevin, as always very informative video. One of the issues I came across riding after dark was not being seen with vehicles behind me. The reason was that on coming traffic saw all the headlights, but mine blended in with the following cars. I've had people cut me off when turning out from a side street that said when we got to the next light that they were sorry because the never saw me in all the lights. I knew this was the case so wasn't angry. I just learned to really be aware.

[@wendallgray8970]

I actually enjoy riding at night. You bring up some excellent points Kevin. But here’s my take on it. There isn’t as much traffic at night, you can be seen better at night because of your headlights. I added two more that I angle about 15 degrees outward to p/u the ditch and left lane. I also switch over to my hi-vis jacket. I reduce my speed considerably at night as I’m in no hurry because I’m not going anywhere in particular. I will sometimes leave home at 9 pm and get home around 1am. My wife tracks my phone so it cuts down on her worries. One more tip I can give you from my experience, I have never seen a Deer on a clear night. Clouds in the sky - you see them everywhere

[@daveharris7734]

Due to eye sugary on one and the lack of on the other , my MC riding day are numbered. Never did like riding at night.

[@GaiaMiranda]

I have a modular helmet with venting in the mouth and in two places above the head. It can be either open or closed. It also has the drop down inside visor. It also has the PackTalk Bold sound system installed with JBL speakers and the phone system makes calls so clear the motorcycle can't be heard in the call if visor is down.

[@volunteerpatriot2143]

I try not to ride at night. Sometimes it's necessity. But, when I am traveling it's time to find a room when the sun goes down.

[@dtalmood]

It definitely depends, for me, I am pretty fortunate. 2am on a week day in my town the streets are completely dead.

[@hakkiorun]

That is why I am asking to my friends to install additional lights on their motorcycle back and front to give a little bit of volume on third dimension. Like BMW GSA are coming with auxiliary lights on the front and I install two more at the rear of my bike especially on the saddle boxes. Single headlight is not giving the other drivers enough volume about the size of a motorcycle. Those lights are live savers.

[@martyportersr7008]

Kevin I feel the same about night riding as you do. Since I started riding again which has been 5 years, I told myself I was going to stay away from night riding. Thanks for all the great information and your channel. God Bless 🙏

[@sidneyabernathy854]

I was surprised by the fact that after you pass an oncoming car on a two lane road you have a moment where you cannot see.

[@MCrider]

It is even worse for me since I am blind in one eye...I can't even use the close one eye trick. ;)

[@sidneyabernathy854]

Yes that does suck. I appreciate the idea on closing one eye. I will try that!!

[@TheScrumdown]

@@MCrider You could use the close one eye trick. Just not sure how well it turn out. 😉

[@MCrider]

@@TheScrumdown I can tell you how it would work out...not good. ;)

[@WhackBytch256]

Never look directly at the oncoming lights.

[@johnnylightning1491]

And now we know why the government needs to get rid of the too bright headlight on new vehicles, it absolutely ruins the night vision of the oncoming drivers/riders. The same goes for the too bright traffic lights, too reflective road signs and especially the lights on emergency vehicles. This is an issue I don't think has had nearly enough attention from the safety regulator. Brighter is not necessarily safer!

[@justanotherviewer52]

Thanks Kevin. In addition to extra lights on the front, you can always add more in the back. There are numerous after market lighting companies that specialize in motorcycle lighting for all types of bikes.

[@smckinney3mckinney141]

Yes i've added a License plate frame From Speed metal , that has 4wht lights for the plate, a strip of 6 red led bars above and below the plate as running lights, then it has an amber light on ech corner for turn signals.. works very well.+ i wear a G- Max Hybrid Helmet w/ a Flashing light in Helmet.[ PRT# GM54S]

[@TechItOut]

That is probably the greatest video of excellent defensive driving I have ever seen.

[@MCrider]

He did great didn't he.

[@ironhorserider1066]

The mirror tap his mitten I was told..heheheh

[@krystalgooding9281]

@@MCrider Yes great video. I would love to see some tips for riding when blinded by the sun

[@barryblack5562]

Great work kevin 👍

[@MCrider]

Thanks 👍

[@PetrolJunkie]

Be aware that drivers misjudge how far they need to travel to clear a motorcycle when passing them at night as well. A van pulling a trailer ran a friend off the road resulting in a fatal accident because the driver misjudged how far back he was, in broad daylight. At night, with only one light to make that call, don't take any chances. Roll-off the throttle and let them go by, give them plenty of room.

[@davolbc]

Thanks for the video. Commenting especially on this topic because I like to ride at night. I live in the big city and I ride both day and night. People are in such a hurry during the day it's almost as bad as if they've been drinking because they really just don't care so I found that to be very dangerous where I live. It's not a fact of when it's going to happen it's that it just happens almost every single time I ride. Some Yahoo makes a right turn or a left turn directly in front of me they don't obey stop signs or other rights of way. So I switched to Riding more at night time. About 25% of the vehicles are left on the road so it's a lot more open and I can anticipate what others are doing or about to do. I don't know their intentions so I am on guard at intersections or crossroads. I have an installed very bright LED headlight and a flasher tail light. I find it to be much more tranquil and relaxing to ride at night even though I'm still on guard it doesn't spoil my ride most of the time. I do get those times where you say where's the cop when you need one because of what that jerk just did and almost took my life or seriously jeopardized my health. Anyway that's my take on things again thank you for the video it was insightful.

[@aweba25]

I have experienced all of these things riding at night. I have even discovered while riding on the highway at night that people will intentionally speed up behind me and turn on their brights. I can be on the highway doing 75-80mph. The speed limit will be 65, and I will still have cars racing up behind me constantly flashing their brights.

[@aweba25]

@Diesel S. I live in Atlanta and it is usually a 3-4 lane highway. I ride a Yamaha Vmax. So it's not like I have a slow motorcycle and I'm in the way. Most of the time I'm riding around 90 mph. They just do it on purpose here in Atlanta. Usually when I'm being chased in traffic it's a toyota carolla or something like that.

[@wildberj]

When the approaching lights are bright look at the white stripe on the edge of the pavement. Put frog lights on, LED 50 watts, so the frogs can see ya. Put a module that turns the blinker lights on, and they'll blink when you put the turn signal on. Put reflective valve caps, makes the wheels light up. Thank you LT, to answer your question, E all of the above.

[@jeffwhitcomb606]

Thanks, Kevin. Much appreciated.

[@MCrider]

Very welcome

[@rileylabski]

Hey McRider, didn't know you were a veteran in all the time I've been watching your kick ass videos. Been a subscriber for a while now, great video here on night riding, and also I got some good memories of lumm missions our mortar section shot for us during long nights of training in the infantry. I used to smoke the shit out of targets with my 240B under illumination like that. Really gave me a smile man, so thanks. Thanks for your service.

[@Peter-eu7wp]

All very sound advice Kevin, as usual.

[@MCrider]

I appreciate that!

[@gerrydunne8768]

i am not a lover of night deriving and the older i get the more i dislike it

[@gregoriousgilbert519]

Nite driving glasses makes a big difference,, thanks Kev great vid again

[@YahyaMowiena]

The intro video gave me a heart ache. Thanks Kevin for the one shut eye tip. Brilliant one.

[@jimbarton4150]

I don’t ride much at night. Interestingly, I was out last night coming back from a meeting, riding in a group of 6 bikes. One thing I noticed was that I had to shift my eyes more than in the daytime to avoid becoming fixated on the taillights of the bike in front of me.

[@hangnwithdosei3266]

An important thing to remember regarding closing one eye... When you close one eye, your ability to judge distance (i.e., depth perception) suffers greatly...objects may well be closer than they "appear".

[@davolbc]

I do not believe he's talking about closing an eye as soon as you see headlights coming your way. Close one eye when the headlights are at their brightest which at speed should only be around 1to 2 seconds. This should not affect your depth reception but if you leave them open it could cause 3 to 5 minutes of diminished vision.

[@ironhorserider1066]

I wonder if the guy on the bike closed both eyes at that moment where it looked like there’s not going to be enough space. 😜

[@earlaker]

Followong tge "one eye closed" rule, the guy on the bike in the opening video would have had one eye closed (losing depth perception) at exactly the wrong time and would have been killed. I prefer looking for the solid white line on the right side of the road, which directs my eyes away from the oncoming car's headlights.

[@lawrenceharrison7607]

@@earlaker Good plan, that is what I do as well. Looking to the right so that the bright light is in the peripheral vision saves my night vision for when the other driver passes. Those HID projector lights are really annoying.

[@earlaker]

@@lawrenceharrison7607 While doing this, I just have to remember to just use my eyes and not turn my head. Keep your head pointed in the direction you want to go! I'm not an expert, by any means, but if I turn my head in any direction, my bike will follow and I'd soon be riding off the side of the road! DISCLAIMER HERE: I don't mean to instruct anyone else...Kevin is the expert here. But that white line is what I try to find when an oncoming vehicle is blinding me and I do it with my eyes only, while my head is turned into the direction I want to go.

[@thevoiceinmyhelmet3827]

That rider at the beginning was fortunate , I had that same thing happen . Don’t ride much at night anymore , sometimes I try to use the other vehicles lights to see more of the road and I tend to use another vehicle as a blocker in front of me as we have lots of wildlife here . Thanks for what you do 👍🌙

[@streetglider2357]

Great advice kind sir

[@derricklafure7671]

Awesome video, Thank you for your service. I'm a Army guy myself retired in 2012

[@mikedanaher3413]

Lol. Every time the Pirates got their pictures taken. That’s some good old dry southern humor if I ever heard any. Great video. Thanks for the information and the laugh. 😂👍 I avoid riding at night if at all possible. Sometimes I get caught. I’m in Central New York and the biggest hazard here at night is deer. Tangled with one once. I was very lucky that I survived it. My bike is lit up like a Christmas tree now. However I still avoid night rides.

[@raybligh9896]

Another great video! Thanks Kevin!

[@MCrider]

My pleasure!

[@eddcurry1245]

I avoid riding at night due to all the deer and small animals out in central Texas at night

[@glennmiddleton5634]

My bike has dual headlights. These are both a curse & a blessing. I can see better on dark roads, but understand my bike can be mistaken for a car. Thanks for your advice!

[@ArtD2368]

Great advice

[@mikesykes173]

Great advice Kevin...Thanks

[@MCrider]

You are very welcome

[@robertradke8026]

Never, unless I have to.

[@minnybiker4505]

I absolutely love riding at night. I know it's riskier, and I don't love that... I have extra lights on the front of my bike for country riding (can't have them on in traffic, they're really bright). I have stopped when I was feeling like the animal activity was higher than I was comfortable with... But the reality is, you're absolutely right... I should minimize my nocturnal navigating... But I love being the only one on the road...

[@nbt3663]

As always some great stuff learned! Thanks Kevin!

[@rusnsc7622]

Don’t ride much at night...like you only if necessary. If I do, I stay on main roads as much as possible and avoid the backroads I would typically gravitate to during day light. As we age it seems night vision becomes less effective, yet another reason not too. Keep up the good work Kevin. Thanks🙏👍

[@born2bwildne744]

Great video!!

[@zeroheat5787]

Found a yellow visor for my Schuberth helmet. Chose Crizal anti glare lenses for my glasses. Both help for nighttime riding. I love and enjoy riding at night.

[@kakudmi]

Thank you, this was very educational.

[@GaryHorn]

I avoid riding at night also. My bike is smaller and not as lit up as others, my night vision is declining, there are too many deer coming out at night in this metro area, and too many drivers who drink and still look at their phones.

[@prestonallyn2502]

Thanks, great tips. Love how the 2020 Goldwing lights really light up the road at night.

[@johnkay3110]

Love your videos and strategies. You made a mention about visor color as a factor. I wanted to share from experience as a rider at night that getting a "yellow" visor is a game changer for both Day and Night. During the day you see more contours of the road in full sun and when riding on those tree lined roads with lots of shadows. At night the yellow visor cuts down those LED, XEON, and yes even those high-beams to something way more tolerable and definitely not blinding. What I do not understand is why many high end helmet makers do not offer yellow visors. So easy suggestion is to get yellow tinted goggles or sunglasses, or even the video gamer glasses that are available. They are very pale yellow, yet still cut out the blues. Just to note, I have tried the amber colors, but I have found it hard to find the right saturation of amber that works well in all light conditions, or that can beat something like the yellow visor from Icon. In the end I would rather "see" than look cool being seen with come chromium gold tinted visor. Or until someone makes a full visor HUD / Augmented reality with night vision. LOL :)

[@MrBiggles53]

I just returned from Night ride grocery run. Took the highway at dusk in; but country roaded it homeNeed to upgrade my headlight ; but unless the road is straight, well lit and/or familiar, I rarely exceed 45 MPH. I usually close my left on for oncoming headlights, slow down a little and check the road edge and curve in case the car neglects to turn off its high beams. Usually, it’s calm, peaceful and fairly deserted. definitely avoid unfamiliar roads at night when possible, slow down, increase following distance and keep eyes out for deer and critters. Also be aware that heightened awareness uses up more nervous energy and prepare for fatigue and take longer pit stop breaks to recover.

[@Isaiah5417GdLk]

I conscider myself to be fairly worldly knowledgeable and constantly learning things. I have NO idea how i got to be 43 yrs old and NEVER heard the pirate/patch thing. I will be telling everyone this for a looooong time! Thank you for the videos.

[@MrDnoland]

WOW David did some great riding and saved his life WOW!!!!!

[@bootz0409]

An excellent vid with superb tips, especially about the close-1-eye trick. I ride at night due to late finishes at work and I can attest to the pinlock visor distortion especially given many vehicles have LED lights today. They are a motorcyclists biggest hazard at night because they really do play havoc with vision. So I'll give them the single-eye treatment from here on in. Thanks Kev!!

[@paulrose576]

What about a yellow visor like the driving glasses

[@bjorosenberg]

G’day Kevin. Never thought about the one eye thing but that’s just another smart sensible tip. Thank you!

[@dphilipson]

Thanks MCRider you keep me safe on the roads for this newbie! God bless!

[@TravisTerrell]

I got myself a cheap pair of polarized amber clip-ons. A little nerdy, but I am AMAZED how well it kills glare from incoming headlights. (I avoid night riding in general though. Safety aside, just not as much fun.)

[@davidwilkening2904]

I live in a rural area now. I used to live in an urban area. WRT animals, they are less of a threat in urban areas. In the rural areas deer, skunk, opossum, fox, etc are a big problem at night. Deer are surprisingly active at dusk and dawn and seem to like the sunny side of the road where fields exist. One blessing, in the rain, animals tend to be hunkered down and are less likely to be a problem. Know the critters where you ride. Safe riding.

[@TheScrumdown]

I am not a huge fan of riding at night. But, I loathe riding at night and in the rain! I try really hard to not ride in the rain at night in the rain. Can you use say ... Yucky!

[@randymcnaught5583]

It's great to hear you mention looking 3x before pulling out into an intersection. When riding on the right on 2 lane roads (most of our roads...rather than the left (I.e. British) look LEFT, then Right, then Left again. Why...? You'll get smoke by traffic coming from your left first. When in doubt, check thrice! Ride Safe!

[@richardcampbell5762]

I try to avoid riding at night. Crazy drivers at night. I think that's what scares me. I live here in New Mexico. The only time I really ride at night is if I'm riding with a few other friends. Thanks for sharing brother! Stay safe and stay blessed, Knees in the breeze! 👍🇺🇲🇺🇲🤙✌

[@TheConSept]

One thing I noticed in the video; lane positioning is different than mine. Every time I come up to cars on the road at night on a two laner, I move to the farthest right of the lane. That way if an impatient driver wants to pass someone they see me as well. Being on the farthest right part of the lane puts those headlights in an akward or interesting position that people will pay attention to.

[@yankeetango]

Just came back from a grad party here in PA. Stayed later than planned and it was past dark. Had about a 20 minute ride home on the highway but it was all backed up with road construction so had to take the 40 minute backway through dark, windy, wooded roads. Not something I enjoyed doing...can't see road hazards, critters big and small about, blinding glare from oncoming vehicles, big bugs to the face shield!

[@NormanWrightJr]

You always have good information for us. Thank you.

[@veiledallegory]

If you’re going to ride at night you have to have auxiliary lights! Otherwise cars will not see you or will misjudge you location. It’s not foolproof but it beats factory lights.

[@Edsdrafts]

For those who own black or dark colour bike there are actually black reflective strips that you can get. Looks black in sunlight but lights up in the dark. I wear white helmet that also can get white strips that do the same during the day and night. Look up 3M diamond reflective I believe. Highly recommend.

[@STho205]

I avoid night riding, but since I use it for primary solo transportation I do have to do it. Deer is my most worrisome threat as they are as thick as squirrels in the mountains. Solo headlight is hard to judge distance for the viewer (other driver), but close together dual bike headlights, as you said, are hard to tell from a car far away.

[@fxrmike5145]

I do quite a bit of night riding. I live in farm country, not a ton of traffic, but lots of critters...I ride much slower when it's dark, because the headlight only shines so far😎

[@earlaker]

Very important points. I ride to work in the dark every morning and ride home at night in the dark as well. One point I'd like to make about closing one eye (or wearing a patch, lol) is that you lose stereoscopic vision when you do that, which ruins your ability to judge distance. (Try to catch a ball with one eye closed and you'll see what I mean.)

[@STho205]

I'm looking forward to a photogray visor with built in doublepane for my next helmet. I've been waiting 45 years for those to become a thing... Wondering why nobody put them in a standard bucket decades ago. I keep a helmet 5 years, so I have a year more to go.

[@scottthornton9237]

On occasion, i ride in the dark of pre-dawn. Work starts at 0530, 45 to 60 minutes away. I ride a HD Ultra with passing lamps always on and Custom Dynamics LED turn signals. I keep all my lights properly adjusted, to prevent blinding oncoming traffic. Roughly 1/2 of my ride is on a dark winding two lane. I really like how well the lamp triangle is set up on my bike. There is no question "is that a bike or a car?" For the very reasons you stated in the video, i don't understand why the manufacturer's place headlamps side by side on some models. I have noticed that many motorcyclist run with the high beam on at night. With some crazy idea that it helps cars see them! NO it does NOT! It just blinds the cagers and increases their agressions with motorcycles. Ride with courtesy towards others, or expect NONE in return. Does a car or truck blinding you, help you see them? Ot does it make you just want to throw something at their windshield? Think! If commuting on a M/C, there is a 90% chance that you will be crossing paths with the same car / truck, whatever again tomorrow at the same time, same place.

[@TheP47thunderbolt]

My night ride story. My 15 year old daughter and I were attempting to cross the country from GA to CA but by the time we hit NM she was starting to get homesick so we turned north and rode into Denver. We rode for a good long day and a little after sundown we found a hotel for the night. The next morning we set out again with two days to go, but at dinner she asked if I thought we could keep going and make it home without stopping. I told her I didn’t like the idea much and explained that the risks go up at night, but if she wanted too I would do it. She was so happy and said she wanted to just get home. We had already come about 700 miles and I failed to think about my physical and mental capacity to stay alert and focused. I was about to ride tired with precious cargo. Well it was about 3:00am and I made a foolish decision to tuck in behind a still air pocket behind a semi running 70mph into Chattanooga when a deer carcass rolled out from under it. As things slowed down to slow motion I remembered your video about what to do when an obstacle was in the road. Serve around it if it’s too big to eat. Well too bad, I had failed to give myself any reaction time as I wasn’t more than a second behind the truck. We had a speed bump to clear and we went over that deer. We did not crash, we made it home on the bike which had busted fork seals, broken shocks, and electrical issues for the next two years. Thanks for putting out these videos even though we don’t always make the best decisions.

[@superblastpressurewashing.7256]

Great info my friend, I use to ride to work at 4am when gas was 4 plus a gallon, hit a racoon one morning and almost wiped out so riding at night since than is a no go. Like you said unless you have to just stay home or get in the cage.

[@jayfletcher9394]

My single scariest ride was getting a late start headed home because of a flat I had to get fixed. My route had me riding down dark mountain canyons on a Harley Street Bob, with its single small headlight! It felt like being in a cave with a dim flashlight!! I used several of the techniques Kevin talked about; driving at a much reduced speed, using other vehicles headlights to see as far ahead as possible, using those same vehicles like a running back uses linemen as blockers, etc. I found even riding behind those vehicles caused me to ride faster than I was comfortable. I would slow back down, ride slower, and wait for the next vehicle coming up behind me to catch up and pass me (And tried to not get run over in the process!). Out west, we have big critters that like to wander out onto the road; Mule deer, Elk, Moose even a (think as large or larger than cows!! (we have cows and sheep too!!)), even an occasional Black Bear. The wild critters are well camouflaged and headlights do not reflect well off their coats. Often, they can't be seen because of foliage on the side of the road, and they like to make surprise appearances! (A friend of mine was killed on his Harley hitting a Mule deer.) One other factor Kevin didn't mention was one of spacial disorientation.. It becomes difficult to maintain proper riding attitude (rubber side down) when you are trying to see dark pavement, with no ambient light; no moon, no stars, Even balance becomes an issue!!! It becomes hard to tell which way is up.. Tracking center lines and roadside fog lines to see which way the road was turning is certainly not conducive to keeping your head and eyes up watching for hazards ahead. This was not a short jaunt, close to 70 miles down Daniel's and Provo Canyons in Utah. Sold the Street Bob and got a Road King with upgraded triple headlights, just in case. Like Kevin, I don't enjoy riding at night! I am grateful that stupid isn't always fatal, but dumb luck will not always be your friend!

[@tomtemin5946]

I commute in the mornings in the dark. Only 12 miles but early morning commuter cars tend to be frantic. I avoid the highway and stick to the same route every day to minimize surprises. I know every little light and reflector along the way so an animal eyeball stands out. Harley LED plus aux sidelights are excellent for lighting the woods on either side.

[@farshidchinwalla3718]

Another thing about riding at night is off getting mugged and getting yourself also injured... That's my main worry whilst going through lonely roads without lights... Have been extra Cautious and luckily not got into trouble...but not something I'm comfortable doing unless absolutely necessary....

[@ThreeWheelTherapy]

I only take reflectors off to be replaced by active lighting. I Add lights on my spyder to make me more visible day and night, but make sure what lights you add are legal

[@feygor]

I love riding at night. The sense of peace and calm I get from it is un-matched by day riding. But I'm a lot more cautious, and try to keep to less traveled back roads. I live in Atlanta so not too many animals about and I am moving slower so I can usually spot them in time.