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kurtrules · 12-02-2009, 01:23 PM

There are a few things on night riding that I would like to add to this article:

1) While riding at night, ALWAYS be sure to lower the beam when vehicle approaches from the other side. This broadens the visibility of the oncoming driver and shows good road sense. Also there may be more than a few instances when you are not returned the favor! But that shouldn’t deter one and one should keep practicing good road etiquettes .

2) As mentioned in the article, focus on the white lines. That’s perfectly correct. Just to add on to that, if such a scenario occurs while one is riding on a hill/banking a corner, where roads are single lane, focus ONLY on the left hand side solid white line. This will not only give you an idea of where the road is going but also the degree of the gradient (ascend/descend) of the road. Like I said, this methodology has been applied by me and holds true, specifically for night riding on hills.

3) If one is riding a motorcycle with stock headlamps (No HIDs/No Halogen bulbs)during the night on hills, one does encounter a dearth of visibility. Here if you lower the beam on straight patches and higher the beam (high/full beam) on corners. It increases the visibility. Try it.

4) Avoid leaning at all costs while riding out in the darkness, especially in hills. Prime reason beam, that no matter how good a lighting system you have installed, visibility will remain lower than what is during the day, and your reaction times will also increase. And as all are aware of the hilly road conditions in India, you might encounter a small ditch just round the corner and what happens after that, well, we all know off.

5) The most difficult period that you may face during a long night ride is the one when daybreak occurs. In other words "Twilight Period". This is the time when neither the headlights provide sufficient light to illuminate the road nor is there much natural luminescence. Also the period when sleep induced lethargy is at its pinnacle. I normally wait till the sun is up, in the meanwhile taking a power nap! I would advise against riding during those 30-45 minutes.

Just remember to go slow at night. No better precaution than that!

Having said that, night riding is my favorite way to unwind. It helps increase my concentration levels and is continuously assisting me multiply my endurance and patience!

-Kurt

12-02-2009, 01:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
kurtrules Come as you are! Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: On the foothills Posts: 1,167	There are a few things on night riding that I would like to add to this article: 1) While riding at night, ALWAYS be sure to lower the beam when vehicle approaches from the other side. This broadens the visibility of the oncoming driver and shows good road sense. Also there may be more than a few instances when you are not returned the favor! But that shouldn’t deter one and one should keep practicing good road etiquettes . 2) As mentioned in the article, focus on the white lines. That’s perfectly correct. Just to add on to that, if such a scenario occurs while one is riding on a hill/banking a corner, where roads are single lane, focus ONLY on the left hand side solid white line. This will not only give you an idea of where the road is going but also the degree of the gradient (ascend/descend) of the road. Like I said, this methodology has been applied by me and holds true, specifically for night riding on hills. 3) If one is riding a motorcycle with stock headlamps (No HIDs/No Halogen bulbs)during the night on hills, one does encounter a dearth of visibility. Here if you lower the beam on straight patches and higher the beam (high/full beam) on corners. It increases the visibility. Try it. 4) Avoid leaning at all costs while riding out in the darkness, especially in hills. Prime reason beam, that no matter how good a lighting system you have installed, visibility will remain lower than what is during the day, and your reaction times will also increase. And as all are aware of the hilly road conditions in India, you might encounter a small ditch just round the corner and what happens after that, well, we all know off. 5) The most difficult period that you may face during a long night ride is the one when daybreak occurs. In other words "Twilight Period". This is the time when neither the headlights provide sufficient light to illuminate the road nor is there much natural luminescence. Also the period when sleep induced lethargy is at its pinnacle. I normally wait till the sun is up, in the meanwhile taking a power nap! I would advise against riding during those 30-45 minutes. Just remember to go slow at night. No better precaution than that! Having said that, night riding is my favorite way to unwind. It helps increase my concentration levels and is continuously assisting me multiply my endurance and patience! -Kurt Last edited by kurtrules; 12-02-2009 at 05:43 PM.