Night Riding
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Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 206
Likes: 45
From: Mpls.
Night Riding
Are you comfortable road trippin on the interstates overnight. Some times around dusk I feel I'm hitting that zen moment in time and hate to quite for the night. (until I see my first animal) I usually do try to park it though.
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,468
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
I'm quite comfortable riding at night, although I most definitely up my alert factor by about 375%. This is deer country.
I have high intensity headlights, and I have replaced all the turn signal/running lights, brake lights and tail lights with LED, and I have added the LED light strips to the saddlebags, all for increased visibility at night.
And, I wear a high-viz neon green vest with large reflective strips.
There's nothing like riding down a road at night, tip your head up, and look at the stars. (Just for a moment!
)
I have high intensity headlights, and I have replaced all the turn signal/running lights, brake lights and tail lights with LED, and I have added the LED light strips to the saddlebags, all for increased visibility at night.
And, I wear a high-viz neon green vest with large reflective strips.
There's nothing like riding down a road at night, tip your head up, and look at the stars. (Just for a moment!
)
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 28,842
Likes: 16,582
From: Wisconsin, USA
No. Too many Deer. Last year I got caught out at night, in November. Worst month. I avoided a few, stock headlight. Then 4 ran in front of me. I avoided the first two. The third or fourth would have nailed me. I was just lucky, I squeezed between them. I don't care how good your lights are, there are too many Deer running out of the woods at night, and that includes interstates.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 7,934
Likes: 43
From: Bloomfield, NM
Never bothered me until November 2014 when I hit a 25# piece of iron that had fallen off of an oil filed truck. Totaled a 2012 Limited. Since then I don't ride at night if I can avoid it.
Bill
Bill
Club Member
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 11,468
Likes: 3,572
From: Idaho
Last edited by IdahoHacker; Jul 18, 2016 at 10:24 AM.
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 69
Likes: 82
From: Croatia
I do like summer night rides and quite often I find myself coming home with sunrise.
After all, what is the point having Night Train if you are not driving at night?
After all, what is the point having Night Train if you are not driving at night?
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 1,357
Likes: 91
From: Michigan
Funny how age changes your perspective, when I was a young lad night rides were the best, the cool summer air, feeling the temperature changes as you dip into a valley or wind through a stand of trees, but as I have aged I fear the deer, so either there are a lot more of those four legged beasts around or I have become far more cautious, I leaning toward the latter.
Was out on a ride on Saturday with some buds and mid afternoon a very large buck went darting across the road about 50 yards in front of us, we slowed, fortunately he was a solo runner, figured he was tired of hearing the kids and decided to go for a run, don't see them very often mid afternoon.
Was out on a ride on Saturday with some buds and mid afternoon a very large buck went darting across the road about 50 yards in front of us, we slowed, fortunately he was a solo runner, figured he was tired of hearing the kids and decided to go for a run, don't see them very often mid afternoon.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 2,959
Likes: 1,988
From: CA
Depends. I avoid nighttime rides in areas where deer are common.
Summer daytime temps around here are often pushing 100, so a nice 80 degree nighttime ride can be more enjoyable.
Coming back from a long road trip, crossing southern AZ and CA deserts with 400 miles to cover and daytime temps expected to be 105 and higher, we spent the day relaxing in a motel with a/c and a pool. Went to bed at 5 PM, got up and hit the road at midnight. All interstate, no traffic, saw a great sunrise and were home before it got hot.
Summer daytime temps around here are often pushing 100, so a nice 80 degree nighttime ride can be more enjoyable.
Coming back from a long road trip, crossing southern AZ and CA deserts with 400 miles to cover and daytime temps expected to be 105 and higher, we spent the day relaxing in a motel with a/c and a pool. Went to bed at 5 PM, got up and hit the road at midnight. All interstate, no traffic, saw a great sunrise and were home before it got hot.