How to Safely Ride Your Motorcycle at Night

Night riding offers a very different experience compared to riding your motorcycle during the day. Many bikers appreciate the unique sights and cooler air that come with night riding. However, riding at night also brings a unique set of hazards that you will need to be prepared for. That is why Taboo Harley-Davidson® has created this guide to safely riding your motorcycle at night.

Hazards of Night Riding

Night riding brings a unique set of challenges for bikers to overcome. First, you are more likely to encounter drunk or distracted drivers at night, so watch out for odd behavior like weaving from side to side and be ready to respond appropriately. Second, animals tend to be more active at night, especially in rural areas. Stay alert and stick to the freeway when possible. Third, compromised visibility gives you less time to react to hazards. Obstacles like potholes and loose gravel that are fairly easy to avoid during the day can become much more dangerous at night, so cut down on your speed when you ride at night to give yourself more time to respond to danger. 

Upgrade Your Motorcycle's Lights

Many bikers who frequently ride at night choose to upgrade from a halogen light to a more powerful LED light. Another popular upgrade is a brake light flasher, which flashes multiple times before emitting a steady light, rather than the solid beam seen on a traditional brake light. This makes it far more likely that other motorists will notice that you are braking. You can also simply choose to add more lights to your bike, according to your budget and preference. 

Improve Your Visibility

It is not only important that you be able to see while riding your motorcycle at night, but it’s also important that others be able to see you. While all black may be the tradition when it comes to riding gear, brightly colored clothing is much safer for night riding. You can also modify your gear to make it reflective. Add retro-reflective tape to the edge of your motorcycle, saddlebags, the lip of your wheel rims, your helmet, etc. When you make yourself easier for other motorists to see, you make it more likely that they will notice your presence and be ready to react appropriately. 

To view our selection of new and pre-owned Harley-Davidson® motorcycles, visit Taboo Harley-Davidson® in Alexandria, Louisiana. We also offer trade-ins, parts, servicing, and financing, among many other services. We are proud to serve communities like Lafayette and Natchitoches, Louisiana, as well as Natchez, Mississippi.