Night time riding getting stressful

GothicGhost

GothicGhost

GothicGhost

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23 Aug 2007
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My shifts rotate now and been doing night shifts but the riding to work at night is very stressful for me.

I am finding it very hard to see on unlit roads and car lights seem really hurt my eyes also blinding me as they pass.
On unlit roads normally 60mph I only feel safe going about 45mph.

I was thinking of getting better lights but not sure how much that would help :(
 
I know what you mean op

I find it easier if you don't look at or get mesmerised by oncoming car headlights,try to look at the cats eyes or white lines,use you main beam aswell at every opertunity
 
When you see an approaching car in the distance try closing one eye until it has passed. Your night vision will come back much quicker, but be careful because it will affect your depth perception.
 
I am not a biker so cant offer advice but I can certainly see where you are coming from. Some of the lights on modern cars can be very bright indeed and can dazzle you quite easily.
 
Yeah there's 2 things which affect night riding - other car headlights which means you can't see anything when they're passing, and not having a decent headlamp.

I try to look to the left side of the road, not at the headlights, helps a little.

And having experienced 125 light, the lights on anything over a 400cc bike should be plenty enough to see, my single dual filament bulb on full beam lights up the whole road. Can only imagine that having dual headlights with dual full beams is like.
 
All modern cars are too bright now. Last winter I kept getting flashed because people thought I had my high beams on. Nothing I could do about it though, they're factory fitted.
 
The problem is people don't dip their lights enough. Winds me up even in the car, SUVs and vans are the worst, factory fitted to shine straight forwards rather than dipped downwards. If you're getting flashed, dip your headlights a couple of clicks!
 
Not really, the dip adjustment is there for when you are towing or carry a heavy load as the front will lift meaning you have to dip the lights. They should be set to the highest by default.

I don't have a problem riding at night, I ride through the whole of Winter which is dark in the morning and night going home. Some peoples eyes are sensitive to light unfortunately and I don't think there's much you can do. I never feel the need to wear sunglasses or my internal shade either as I mentioned in another thread.

How about some of those anti dazzle glasses you can buy? :p

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Night-Vision-Driving-Aviator-Glasses/dp/B003I6PIN2
 
gcaster said:
The problem is people don't dip their lights enough. Winds me up even in the car, SUVs and vans are the worst, factory fitted to shine straight forwards rather than dipped downwards. If you're getting flashed, dip your headlights a couple of clicks!
Click to expand...

Exactly this, also a big problem for car drivers. I can't stand it when you get a van/SUV pulls up behind you and their headlights are beaming directly into your rear-view mirror.

I always glance to the edge of the road when driving at night with oncoming cars.
 
The worst is night time riding in the rain and some car with it's brighter than the sun lights on, the very last part of my commute is up a hill that usually has cars stacked up on the other side of the road by the time I get there so it's just constant blinding until I reach the top.
Considering how bad the drivers are on that piece of road when it comes to pulling onto it without looking at the best of times it's a wonder I've not had more than a quick kiss of someones bodywork with my front tire.
 
I would get your eyes tested and explain it to them whilst you're there, they may have some advise.

Other than that, brighter lights could help as you'll be looking at a brighter area and you eyes will be adjusted to brighter lights so should be better when cars go by.
 
Don't overlook the visor, make sure it's smear and scratch free.

I borrowed my brothers helmet a while back, couldn't see a thing in the dark because he hadn't looked after it.
 
gcaster said:
The problem is people don't dip their lights enough. Winds me up even in the car, SUVs and vans are the worst, factory fitted to shine straight forwards rather than dipped downwards. If you're getting flashed, dip your headlights a couple of clicks!
Click to expand...

You'll probably find they're on the lowest setting already. I used to get flashed all the time, as I said, factory fitted bulbs and lowest setting. What can be done?
 
And anything with HID lights will have no internal adjustment at all as they are designed to auto-adjust.

I have nothing further to add on the matter to be honest. I also find riding at night stressful but don't worry about going slower. Ride at the speed you feel safe at and don't worry if people are overtaking you.
 
I feel your pain, dude. Another light-sensitive rider here.

The issue with cars is twofold - Modern lights/HID kits, as well as many car drivers not having their headlights properly adjusted to begin with.

Also, motorcycle headlights are **** as standard, generally.
See about getting a brighter bulb (Phillips ones are usually the first port of call) or possibly an HID kit.

Lastly, adjust your own High Beam to illuminate what YOU need to see.
I personally find the 'correct' setting a little low for my purposes.
This may sound selfish and it is, if I'm honest, but a car is armoured - You're the highly vulnerable one so your need to see clearly is far more important.
 
One said:
All modern cars are too bright now. Last winter I kept getting flashed because people thought I had my high beams on. Nothing I could do about it though, they're factory fitted.
Click to expand...

factory fitted but are they properly adjusted?

you can always tell when someone has replaced a bulb themselves 1 normal light one hideously blinding badly aimed light.
 
Get yourself checked over, there is something called Night blindness
(nyctalopia) is the inability to see well at night or in poor light.
what are you like off the bike at night, see ok ?

unlikely but you never know
 
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