In April of 2013 I bought a LIKE200i for commuting to work in the dark - I rode the Forza and the Burgman to work in the same way.
After retiring I still ride out on my scooters well before sunrise.
I recon I have ridden every bit of 16,000 miles in the dark these past 5 years.
Why? It's a nice start to my day - easy to keep the early morning habbit - the earth smells better at sunrise - the drinkers are either in a ditch, jail or bed - much less traffic to deal with.
For some, a down-side: You need to slow down. I drop 5 - 10 mph off my normal cruising speed.
I'm in no hurry.
And I can sleep in when I get old.
I highly recommend early riding to those who have the option.
Fish
Re: 50% of my riding is in the dark
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2018 6:48 pm
by Old Grinner
I highly recommend early riding to those who have the option.
I may just do that. . ..
I'm up early but so are a lot of the commuters around here. May have to try for 4:00 AM or just as the sun is starting to make the horizon look bluish to beat the rush of worker bees.
Re: 50% of my riding is in the dark
Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2018 7:00 pm
by Mel46
My wife wouldn't let me go around the block at night. For one, I have poor night vision now. Second, our idiots drive like they are in the LeMans around here...24 hours a day. Third, the snakes come out then. A neighbor was bitten by a copperhead when they were on a nightly walk around our subdivision. They like the tall grass right beside the road for some reason.
So, since I am old, I think I will sleep in. :-)
Re: 50% of my riding is in the dark
Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2018 6:30 am
by Denny
I leave for work at 1500hrs and get off at 0130hrs (for a 10hr shift). For a 12hr shift it's 1730-0600hrs. So I ride in the dark a lot too. I try and get the best mods available to be seen in the dark. I got the red jacket, helmet, reflective wheel tape, and a pair of (red w/reflective gray material) Klim Mojave riding pants on the way for my rain gear. I'll post pics when they're expected to come on Monday. I was cheap so I bought some snow boarding pants for my rain gear since last February. So I'm excited for some better quality gear this winter, hopefully it'll be good.
Re: 50% of my riding is in the dark
Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2018 12:34 pm
by WhiteNoise
Day rider here. Only a few handful of night rides now. In my youth, different story.
Truly, the only folks that ride in the dark round these parts are "rocket riders." Zoom zoom zoom - then sirens wale. The chase is on. I dread hearing a crash.
I bet you're always careful fish and your roads and town are quiet esp at "your chosen ride times."
But "Still" as it is, crazies seem to be everywhere.
Just Look under the Bed!! No don't
Re: 50% of my riding is in the dark
Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2018 1:02 pm
by WhiteNoise
Denny, yes share your new night safety gear. Red pants heh? Never saw. Interesting.
We try hard to Be seen. We must be mindful and careful always. Be responsible riders.
We are a tiny ride among big(ger) rides.
Yeah man, digit! Get Your Shine On
Re: 50% of my riding is in the dark
Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2018 10:35 am
by Old Grinner
But "Still" as it is, crazies seem to be everywhere.
Sad but true!
Perhaps this will shed a little "light" on the subject. . ..
Re: 50% of my riding is in the dark
Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2018 11:23 am
by Mel46
Some of that footage must have been taken in my neighborhood. Running lights and changing lanes without signaling is standard practice here.
Re: 50% of my riding is in the dark
Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2018 11:39 am
by WhiteNoise
Wow, really? Ouch!
In that video, This one: The biker that went off road down the steep drop - What's he saying? "Hey, I'm Good!" (something like that). Dang, yer blessed!
Re: 50% of my riding is in the dark
Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2018 3:15 am
by you you
Old Grinner wrote:
But "Still" as it is, crazies seem to be everywhere.
Sad but true!
Perhaps this will shed a little "light" on the subject. . ..