Motorcycle Night Riding Safety Tips

Riding your beloved motorcycle doesn’t need to be a daytime-only activity! Night riding can be exhilarating and fun on its own, or it may be necessary for your commute or travel plans. Either way, it’s important that you know how to operate your bike safely when it’s dark outside. You are at more of a risk due to the fact that visibility is reduced for both you and the drivers around you.

Cross Country Cycle, with locations in Metuchen and Hasbrouck Heights, is your New Jersey Ducati and BMW motorcycle dealer. Here are some of our best tips to help you stay safe out there when riding your motorcycle at night.

Know The Hazards

Riding at night puts you at risk in a number of ways, and knowing what those hazards are can help you to change up your riding style to avoid harm. For one thing, there will be more drunk drivers at night, especially on the weekends or around holidays, so you’ll want to be watchful for any strange behavior. Swerving, weaving around and speedy drivers should be avoided at all costs!

Another hazard of night riding is the increase in the number of animals on the road. Several types of prey animals like deer are more inclined to come out at night, which means they may venture onto the highway without knowing the risks. You’ll need to remain vigilant to avoid these creatures since they will do a great deal more harm to you when you’re on a bike than if you were in a car.

Finally, you’ll simply have reduced visibility at night, as will everyone around you, so you’re going to need to slow down and be more careful than during the daytime. You need to ride defensively and watch the drivers around you as you scan ahead for obstacles in your path.

Upgrade Your Bike’s Lights

The standard halogen lights on your bike are fine, but not as bright as they could be. Increase your visibility by upgrading to bright and clear LED lights that have a stronger beam and will burn for longer while using less energy. These lights may seem costly up-front, but they will save you money over time, and they’re a much safer option if you do a lot of riding at night or in low-light conditions.

You can also invest in a brake-light flasher, which will flash several times before it emits a solid light, which helps to get the attention of other motorists so that they know what you plan to do, whether you’re switching lanes or slowing down for an obstacle.

Wear Reflective Gear

You’ll want to make sure that other motorists are able to see you when you’re riding at night. You can easily do this by wearing reflective gear. Swap out your typical black leather or blue denim gear for a white or light-colored jacket and pants or riding suit. Add reflective tape in stripes to your helmet, your bike and your jacket. Or invest in a blaze-orange safety vest like the type worn by construction workers. Neon colors are a good option in general for night riding wear due to their brilliance. You can also purchase riding gear with built-in retro-reflective panels for maximum visibility.

Come on down to one of our locations in Hasbrouck Heights or Metuchen, New Jersey, to check out our full selection of new and used bikes for sale, including Ducati motorcycles and BMW motorcycles. You can even get a price quote or a trade-in value if you need one, and we also have financing options. Cross Country Cycle is family-owned and operated and proudly serves Newark and New Brunswick, New Jersey.