Riding a motorcycle at night

Many bikers prefer to travel at night. Riding a motorcycle at night has advantages such as smoother traffic. But that does not prevent this from requiring great vigilance. How to drive safely at night? What are the risks for a biker at night?

Seeing well on a motorbike at night

Riding two-wheelers at night requires more vigilance. Poor vision is the cause of a poor appreciation of distances. During the night, the eyes can see less well. You must then redouble your attention.

 Before hitting the road, clean your helmets well. A clean helmet screen allows you to better see your surroundings. Regular cleaning is necessary to make your job easier. It will only take a wipe of the interior and exterior of your screen. Thus, the smoked screens are not suitable for riding a motorcycle at night. 

The lighting system contributes significantly to the improvement of twilight vision. It is also advisable to clean your lights and headlights. Soiling reduces the degree of brightness of the bulbs. In the long run, this soiling affects their functioning. Periodic maintenance even requires replacing bulbs every year. Make sure the bulbs are working well. You can start by adjusting your motorcycle headlight, then the arrangement of the low beams. 

We will discuss them even more in the sub-section dealing with visibility because the lighting system allows you to both see and be seen better. The two-wheeler lighting system is undergoing a great evolution. Motorcycle equipment manufacturers provide additional lighting for bikers. LED bulb technology is starting to appeal to drivers. They have many advantages over the halogen bulbs that are generally fitted to original motorcycles. 

Increase your visibility at night

Unpleasant surprises often occur at night due to the lack of visibility for bikers. Discover the best practices to increase your visibility and that of your machine. 

 Increase your own visibility

From now on, the equipment manufacturers provide products which take into account at the same time esthetics and safety of the rider. Many equipments are made available to the motorcyclist to increase his own visibility. We can first of all advance the simplest measure which would be to wear a fluorescent vest. Otherwise, opt for a light-colored garment. They catch the eye. Then there are reflective materials that are stuck on the driver's clothing, pants or armband.

These are additional effective products for noticeable visibility at night. They come in the form of stickers. You have a wide choice among different patterns that you think are suitable for your support. Manufacturers also offer reflective accessories. Even backpacks can make you more visible through an LED bulb or reflective area.

Helmets must be worn when riding two-wheelers. The law has a few standards that you must adhere to which tend to increase your own visibility. Reflective stickers are affixed around the helmet. A luminous helmet is now available from manufacturers. It has an LED bulb that sends a signal to other drivers in the event of a change of pace. 

Increase the visibility of your motorcycle

The visibility of the motorcycle must be ensured at 360 °. First, a better perception of the motorcycle depends on the quality of the lighting. Above all, for a long trip, do not forget to check the condition of your lights and headlights. The regulations require the use of an approved lighthouse. Apart from regular maintenance, it is advisable to fine-tune its setting. 

The brightness must be maintained to a certain degree to avoid dazzling other motorists. It will also be necessary to take into account their configuration. The ideal would be to have a central headlight and two lights on the fork. 

Dimensional visibility aims to detect the size of the motorcycle from a distance. To do so, you have the option of sticking reflective materials on its rims. Opt for reflective bands for better lateral visibility. They are hardly visible during the day, but striking at night. 

Riding a motorcycle at night: adapting your driving

It is obvious that the risk of accident is more numerous at night. It will be necessary to be more vigilant in relation to traffic conditions. Here are some tips for preventing accidents on the road. Avoid driving over dead leaves which can be slippery and hide dangerous roots or holes. Driving in the rain is more risky, the humidity makes the road more dangerous.

Remember to adapt your speed especially when turning. Night driving requires more concentration. The intake of certain drugs, alcohol or tobacco is prohibited. It is also recommended to keep a greater safety distance to better manage obstacles. 

Glare from another vehicle also causes loss of driving control. In this case, it is better to look down and follow the dotted lines on the outside of the road. For better night vision, avoid exposure to strong light, as the eyes will have difficulty adjusting to nighttime conditions. In fact, there are plenty of solutions. You just have to get used to its best practices to drive safely.