Top tips for riding a motorcycle at night

While most of the skills you master for riding a motorcycle during the day transfer across to riding at night, riding after dark does require a heightened level of caution, concentration, preparation and skill due to the reduced visibility and increased risks associated with low-light environments.

So while night riding can often mean less traffic, it also demands a more focused approach. With that in mind, here are some points to consider to make your motorcycle riding experience both safer and more enjoyable once the sun goes down…

One of the primary challenges of riding at night, of course, is reduced visibility. The ability to spot hazards, road signs and even other vehicles diminishes even in artificially lit urban areas, and even more significantly in rural areas where streetlights are few and far between.

It might sound obvious, but fitting your helmet with either a clear or high-definition visor is one of the most effective measures you can take to improve your vision at night. Avoid any tinted options – clear is the best option at night – while some riders find high-definition options such as yellow or light blue can improve their night-riding vision.

And always take the time to ensure your visor is really clean – bugs, scratches or smears which you can see through okay during the day can quickly turn into hard-to-see glare when hit with streetlights or the headlights of oncoming traffic. Anti-fog treatments or pinlock inserts can also prevent fogging, ensuring a clear view during colder nights.

If your bike offers headlight adjustment, it’s also a good idea to check your setup once you’re sitting on the bike. You’re looking for a low-beam setting that illuminates the road ahead sufficiently without blinding oncoming traffic.

In addition to what you can see, your own visibility to others on the road becomes more important at night. Swapping any dark-coloured gear for light, bright or even reflective alternatives will make you more conspicuous to other road users.

Where you position yourself within your lane will depend on the immediate conditions in which you’re riding, but it all comes down to putting yourself in a position that gives you the best chance of being seen by other road users as well as giving yourself the most time to spot and react to any potential dangers.

This means increasing the distance between yourself and any vehicles ahead of you compared to the distance you deem safe during daylight hours. And be aware of what other road users around you might be seeing, so you can adjust your position within the lane to help them notice you’re there.

Looking ahead, you might move to the left-hand side of the lane if you’re approaching an intersection with a vehicle looking to cross from the left-hand side, or it might mean moving to the right if there’s a vehicle looking to turn right across your path and you’re hidden behind a vehicle in front.

If you’re riding in a rural area, you need to be aware that wildlife is more active during the evening hours. Avoid riding close to the edge of the road to give yourself more time if an animal runs out in front and be on the lookout for any signs of movement, particularly in forested areas. It’s about staying alert, riding to the conditions and using your common sense.

Riding in the dark means your ability to gauge the road’s surface is reduced. Shadows or low-lit environments make hazards such as potholes, gravel or debris harder to spot. Depending on the amount of information you’re receiving from your environment, you could consider reducing your speed to reduce the likelihood of being caught out by road-surface irregularities.

Cornering at night also requires extra caution, as your ability to judge the sharpness of a curve or the condition of the road surface may be compromised. Slow down on the entry to a corner until you’re confident you can see through the corner before accelerating out.

Riding at a slightly slower pace allows you to process visual information more effectively and gives you more time to react to the unexpected. Use your peripheral vision to monitor potential hazards on the edges of the road and position yourself in your lane where you have the clearest view of the road ahead.

Technology can also be a helpful ally. Features like adaptive headlights – lights that adjust their angle based on your speed and lean angle to provide better illumination through corners – are becoming more common.

Fatigue is another factor that can affect your night-riding experience. On longer rides, hydration and light snacks can help you stay alert, as can wearing comfortable gear that doesn’t restrict your movement or airflow.

And while it’s really important to stay focused and alert while riding at night, these things can impact your concentration – riding any reasonable distance at night is simply more tiring than covering the same distance during the day. Remember to breathe, stay relaxed but alert, and trust your ability. Confidence comes with practice, so gradually increasing your night riding experience can help build your skills and confidence over time.