How to Safely Ride Your Motorcycle at Night

The end of sunlight for the day doesn't have to mean the end of your ride. Riding at night offers a unique allure of its own, but it also poses unique safety threats. Below, we cover our favorite tips for enjoying a safe motorcycle ride at night. If you want more advice or want to look at motorcycles for sale, visit Outdoor Motor Sports & Trailer Sales. We proudly serve those in Schenectady, Albany, and Utica, New York.

Adjust Your Motorcycle's Lights

Your motorcycle lights are a crucial tool in keeping you safe. You’ll need extra light thanks to the reduced visibility that night brings. Most models use standard halogen lights as a default, but you'll get a much brighter beam from LED lights. Making the switch also gives you the benefits of lights that last longer, consume less energy, and save you money in the long run.

You can also upgrade your motorcycle's brake lights. Usually, a default brake light will be a steady beam of light. A brake light flasher, in contrast, will flash several times before transitioning into a steady beam. This can help catch the attention of motorists around you, making them more aware that you are slowing down.

Finally, you can add more lights to your ride. After all, the more lights you have, the easier it will be to see and be seen. Depending on your budget and style preferences, you can add single bulbs or strips of bulbs.

Adjust Your Visibility

As you cruise around town, you'll want to be highly visible to other motorists. After all, they might not be the most attentive as they drive. Too many people text while driving, drive while under the influence, drive while drowsy, and so on. Do what you can to capture their attention to help prevent a collision.

One easy approach is to wear high-visibility clothing. Pick items that are brightly-colored, such as neon or fluorescent shades. Go for vibrant, eye-catching colors that will help you be noticed on the road. You can also put a safety vest over your typical riding clothes, such as the type that construction workers wear.

Another strategy is to make your motorcycle gear reflective. If you have yet to buy gear, try to focus on items that already come with built-in retro-reflective panels. Anytime a motorist's lights hit that panel, it'll glow brightly and make you highly visible. If you already own your gear, it's easy to add retro-reflective tape. Throw it on your saddlebags, your wheel rims, your helmet, and so on.

Adjust Your Riding

Riding your motorcycle at night poses some unique challenges. First, there's the intense bright light of car headlights. To avoid having your visibility compromised, you can shift your gaze. Look on the far right line that's situated at the edge of your lane. Try not to look down since it'll make it more challenging to ride in a straight line.

Second, you'll want to ride defensively. Give plenty of room between yourself and other motorists who might slam on their brakes suddenly. Leave more room to change lanes or brake. Continually look for obstacles to help reduce surprises. These defensive driving tactics can help you enjoy a safe nighttime ride.

We hope you found these tips helpful! If you want more advice or want to look at motorcycles for sale, visit Outdoor Motor Sports & Trailer Sales. We proudly serve those in Schenectady, Albany, and Utica, New York. Our friendly staff is happy to answer questions and provide advice on which models best suit your budget and lifestyle, so stop by today!