How to Safely Drive Your Motorcycle at Night
Driving a motorcycle at night isn’t nearly as easy as it is during the day. If you’ve never ridden your motorcycle past dark before, you may not be aware of the many hazards that appear once night falls. To ensure you’re staying safe out on the road at night, we’ve written up the helpful night-riding tips below.
Defensive Driving
When driving at night it’s, incredibly important that you drive defensively. Not only is it harder to see once the sun goes down, but road hazards often increase as well. Animals are more likely to run out into roadways after nightfall, and people often drive more dangerously, increasing the likelihood of a crash. Do your best to keep your eyes on your surroundings, and drive at a safe speed limit. Be sure to cross intersections carefully, and take note of other drivers on the road. If you notice a car is swerving, or slowing down and speeding up erratically, the driver is likely under the influence and needs to be avoided at all costs.
Visibility
While defensive driving can go a long way, the best way to avoid an accident at night is to ensure you are visible to other motorists. If you’re driving on dark highways or long roads, it may be wise to trade in your current bulbs for a set of LED lights. These bulbs are not only brighter, but they also last longer and consume less energy. However, if you’re often riding on brightly lit city streets, LEDs might not be necessary. Instead, you can apply reflective tape to the back of your bike or helmet for increased visibility.
If you’re located nearby in Newburgh, New York, feel free to visit us here at Moroney's Motorsports for all your motorcycle needs! Our convenient location in New Windsor, New York offers a number of helpful motorcycle accessories, parts, and equipment for sale, and our helpful staff will be happy to answer any of your motorcycle questions.