Night Travel
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,032
Likes: 9
From: Alabama
I enjoy night riding- less traffic, cooler temperatures, slower paced riding- it's like I'm in my own little world. But there are a lot more bugs, road hazards are harder to see, and the wildlife is definitely a threat. On local roads I know I'll do a night ride, but in unfamiliar territory I'm like many others- find a place to have a cold one & crash out for the night...
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 850
Likes: 8
From: Tennessee
I'll ride all night in town or on the super slab, but there are too many deer down this way to make any time at night on the backroads, so might as well wait until daylight if I have to do backroads.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,413
Likes: 17
From: eastern oklahoma
night riding hasn't been covered much here in the forum, but i find it a great time to ride. there are many things to consider though. one great tip i've found, having driven trucks in years past for a living, graveyard shift, as a lot of us mail and ups goes at night, is that during the dark of the moon is the safest time. reason for that is because the animals cannot see very well to go out forraging for food or prey. around sundown is about the most dangerous time, as the animals are moving to eat or drink before they shut down for the night. i make several road trips a year on my bike, and have encountered no issues so far, knock on fiberglass. ride safe, and one improvement to my bike i plan on doing to improve road lighting is to get an E-code headlight which improves the usable light on the road in your lane by 400%. the e-code headlights are designed for the autobahn and european driving. cibie and hella are the most popular. i found them for just at 40 bucks at susquehanna somewhere in pennsylvania. they use a standard or high performance type of bulb, none of this goofy h.i.d. stuff, just improved optics. i've already installed a bright *** light for the taillight, also known as the B.A.L. and i've got it set on the brightest setting to prevent some idiot who's texting from running into me. one part of the night that i'm especially leery, is closing time for friday and saturday nights for the bars. i find riding at night, the stereo rockin out some tunes is a great experience. great looking new cvo you got there.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,035
Likes: 8
From: Western Canada
I love open highway might riding.....but
shortly after dusk the critters come out scrounging and you need to be alert for them. The later in the evening brings out the most dangerous types
1- over tired commercial drivers
2-drunk or other stimulated drives.
Statistics will support these statements so give it an educated decision on whether to continue out in the dark when most things moving around can cause a major loss of life if encountered when not prepared. Only one other way to deal with them now too
1- over tired commercial drivers
2-drunk or other stimulated drives.
Statistics will support these statements so give it an educated decision on whether to continue out in the dark when most things moving around can cause a major loss of life if encountered when not prepared. Only one other way to deal with them now too
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 34,661
Likes: 36,273
From: outskirts of ba habba
Too many critters lurking around the hiways during the evenings...
Its so nice and refreshing to leave @ 4 am, as we can be well on our way
before lots of people are rolling out of bed.
And a sunrise from the road is always enjoyable, especially with some good
music.....
Its so nice and refreshing to leave @ 4 am, as we can be well on our way
before lots of people are rolling out of bed.
And a sunrise from the road is always enjoyable, especially with some good
music.....
Tourer
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
From: Northern Alabama
I have always loved driving at night. However, having said that last fall (deer season?) while on a trip starting in the early morning daylight that ran from mid Alabama to 100 miles north of St. Louis I counted THIRTEEN deer (yes, 13) that had been hit and were laying alongside the road.
I still feel there is something special about night travel, especially in the desert we just need to exercise a good degree of care and as said have the best lighting available.
I still feel there is something special about night travel, especially in the desert we just need to exercise a good degree of care and as said have the best lighting available.
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 8
From: General Sherman's Christmas Location 1864
Depends, Sometimes I tend to push it for a few hrs in the dark..
or like others said after long trip arrive home at 1am
Not a whole lot to see in the dark main reason
or like others said after long trip arrive home at 1am
Not a whole lot to see in the dark main reason
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Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 9,254
Likes: 283
From: Lake City, Florida (Native)
Pretty Much waht the others said, Super Slab or an early start, or late getting home like I was last night .. Found out I had far more Deer in my area than thought .. Yep North FL does have Deer came close to getting me one of the 3 saw that crossed the road like they owned it dead in front of me doing 60 MPH.. These 3 don't include the other 5 I saw from a distance ... Glad wasn't going any faster .. Might not be telling this tale ..
Last edited by JayStronghawk; Apr 11, 2010 at 06:07 AM.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,389
Likes: 26
From: Windham,Maine
Used to a lot,once left Wallingford, Conn.11:00 pm rode to Bangor,Maine on an old Panhead.Now leave for work every morning 4:00 am and ride 45 minute plus to work in the dark.Except for wondering about deer,the rides are fantastic.