Good vid & on an aspect of riding often overlooked. My thoughts may help some. Optimistic figures suggest around 60 meters of vision when using dipped beam(s). Now consider being able to stop within the distance we can see to be clear ahead......At 50mph the overall stopping distance is claimed to be 175ft which is 53 meters. How far can we truly see CLEARLY ahead when an oncoming illuminated vehicle is close to & opposite us ? Factor in a wet/visor, water flung over us, asphalt & puddle beam glare, potholes & the odds are stacking up against us. In heavy rain or surface water we may have to reduce our speed significantly ...that in turn can result in us being taligated...not ideal. In dire riding conditions with heavy rain I have diverted off rural roads & used dual carrageways instead where able. On many dark rural roads local wildlife seems better at reacting if we are the right side of 50mph. We have more vision on main beams but lose that the instant we revert to dipped beam. It can be useful to dip headlamps prior to some bends, to earlier identify unsighted approaching traffic &/or to avoid us causing momentary dazzle. I am not a timid rider or driver. I am far more expereienced as a night driver than as a night rider (no pun intended), but have done a fair amount of night riding. Hope this may help some. Thanks😊
I do a lot of night riding for a voluntary charity that makes emergency deliveries within the nhs and in recent years I’ve noticed a change in drivers attitudes to traffic lights. I regularly see drivers adopting the strategy that involves them approaching red traffic lights, slowing (a bit), maybe moving away from the junction but then continuing on through the red lights. I see this most often on roundabouts over motorways where junctions can have open visibility. However, I also see it on other roads especially where lights default to red, sometimes for traffic calming purposes. However, in the middle of the night some drivers ignore them. My belief is that this is habit forming. When a driver does it once they are likely to do it again. I ALWAYS slow down approaching green traffic lights particularly at night when traffic is light and I look to see if someone is about to jump across the junction. One of our charity riders was killed a few years ago by someone coming across a red light. It was never established if the driver made a habit of going through red lights but I have my suspicions.
A great video on a much under appreciated aspect of riding and driving! The overriding hazard of reduced vision and being seen at night. Many thanks again!
Some great reminders for night riding, with 2 very practical examples with the oncoming bikes not being immediately obvious, not done very much night riding since retiring, always good to have a few pointers.
I live in a deep rural area and driving home in my van at night the first thing I see as I turn into the lane that leads to home are the reflectors on my bike cover. About 150 metres at least, so I would say a little extra, a sensible amount, of reflective tape/fittings doesn't do any harm. Great video on many points overlooked by others. 👍
I've found that, as I age, my eyes don't cope very well with bright light, whether that's a low winter sun or oncoming cars with leds or the, far too many, inconsiderate drivers who fail to dip their full beam.
All good stuff. I quite routinely ride at night. The difference in modern headlights to my old Kh 100. Is dramatic. I find a hazard or risk of riding at night. Is getting cold. I was fine during the day. After the sun goes down its gets a lot colder. I've found myself a bit surprised, really feeling it. To the point on occasion. I've been in the early stages of hypothermia.
More top notch advice backed up by years of experience. I don't like riding at night but sometimes it's a necessity. My bike has cornering lights which I suppose helps a bit and I moderate my speed accordingly. I find modern LED headlights often dazzle me. Worrying thought about hitting something like a badger or fox but I thought beaver would potentially cause you more problems 🤔
Quite impressed with the difference your auxiliary lights make, would you mind sharing Make / Model. having recent ridden from the peak district to the lincolnshire coast in the dark we could have done with something extra. Thanks for all the videos, having only recently gone through CBT and DAS we've watched them all and a lot of them changed how we look at riding. keep up the good work
Many thanks for your comments, much appreciated. I’m glad the videos are helpful. So my auxiliary lights are eBay cheapies £60! Described as GS fog lights. I thought for that money I’d try them as they look very similar to oem nut but at a fraction of the price . Time will tell. Denali do great lights, much better but at a price. Hope this helps ride safe
In my country the motorway network is very dense. I do a fair bit of riding in the dark. In day time I prefer the country lanes and the back roads. At night time I tend to use the motorway. I believe it is a lot safer (no cyclists, pedestrians, often sections that are lit). It is not as nice as the country lanes, yet at night you cannot see much anyway.
G'Day from Australia - new rider here. Is there some consideration regarding mirror usage at night? Especially at traffic lights and approaching vehicles from behind? I lean towards flashing my brake lights a couple of times when stationary in the evenings. Is that appropriate? Great content - appreciate the extra detail in your posts.😊
Hi mate I just passed my CBT and bought a bike - it’s getting MOT and some light work done before I can tax it - I wanted to ride to London from Lincoln using Google maps no motorway mode - do you have any videos that are specific to using A roads etc - also the gearing video you have was absolute gold for me 😊
hi thanks for your comments. Glad the gear video was helpful. Im afraid at the moment I dont have specific A road videos, but dual carriageways and motorway video might help as you will probably use some non M'way dual roads. Other than that, videos on observation skills, roundabouts, junctions, smidsy would all be good starters. I dont know if you are a new road user or just new to bikes? All the best
Hi, on this and my previous k26 RT i average 50mpg with all riding styles. The current RTP on an hours mainly A/M roads run did 60mpg. BMW advised the higher octane on these, but I have used both 95 and 97RON. Regarding the E fuel, if I’m getting through fuel quickly I will use either, but if it’s starting a bit I use E5. Iirc, bmw state these are ok with E10. Cheers
Not a subject that's been covered on TH-cam too oftern (not that I've come across). Very enlightening video, thanks 👍
Good vid & on an
aspect of riding often overlooked.
My thoughts may help some.
Optimistic figures suggest around 60 meters of vision when using dipped beam(s).
Now consider being able to stop within the distance we can see to be clear ahead......At 50mph the overall stopping distance is claimed to be 175ft which is 53 meters.
How far can we truly see CLEARLY ahead when an oncoming illuminated vehicle is close to & opposite us ?
Factor in a wet/visor, water flung over us, asphalt & puddle beam glare, potholes & the odds are stacking up against us.
In heavy rain or surface water we may have to reduce our speed significantly ...that in turn can result in us being taligated...not ideal.
In dire riding conditions with heavy rain I have diverted off rural roads & used dual carrageways instead where able.
On many dark rural roads local wildlife seems better at reacting if we are the right side of 50mph.
We have more vision on main beams but lose that the instant we revert to dipped beam.
It can be useful to dip headlamps prior to some bends, to earlier identify unsighted approaching traffic &/or to avoid us causing momentary dazzle.
I am not a timid rider or driver. I am far more expereienced as a night driver than as a night rider (no pun intended), but have done a fair amount of night riding.
Hope this may help some.
Thanks😊
@AW8UK many thanks for your contribution here AW8, great information that may indeed help some. Thanks for sharing, all the best
@@MotorcyclePWR Thanks.. Hopefully my ramblings of some additional use to someone.
I do a lot of night riding for a voluntary charity that makes emergency deliveries within the nhs and in recent years I’ve noticed a change in drivers attitudes to traffic lights. I regularly see drivers adopting the strategy that involves them approaching red traffic lights, slowing (a bit), maybe moving away from the junction but then continuing on through the red lights. I see this most often on roundabouts over motorways where junctions can have open visibility. However, I also see it on other roads especially where lights default to red, sometimes for traffic calming purposes. However, in the middle of the night some drivers ignore them.
My belief is that this is habit forming. When a driver does it once they are likely to do it again.
I ALWAYS slow down approaching green traffic lights particularly at night when traffic is light and I look to see if someone is about to jump across the junction.
One of our charity riders was killed a few years ago by someone coming across a red light. It was never established if the driver made a habit of going through red lights but I have my suspicions.
Hi, I like the new intro!
Ride safe!
A great video on a much under appreciated aspect of riding and driving! The overriding hazard of reduced vision and being seen at night. Many thanks again!
Some great reminders for night riding, with 2 very practical examples with the oncoming bikes not being immediately obvious, not done very much night riding since retiring, always good to have a few pointers.
Around 50% of my riding time is spent in darkness, and the biggest risk that I have found, particularly at Dusk, comes from deer dashing out.
I live in a deep rural area and driving home in my van at night the first thing I see as I turn into the lane that leads to home are the reflectors on my bike cover. About 150 metres at least, so I would say a little extra, a sensible amount, of reflective tape/fittings doesn't do any harm. Great video on many points overlooked by others. 👍
I've found that, as I age, my eyes don't cope very well with bright light, whether that's a low winter sun or oncoming cars with leds or the, far too many, inconsiderate drivers who fail to dip their full beam.
All good stuff.
I quite routinely ride at night. The difference in modern headlights to my old Kh 100. Is dramatic.
I find a hazard or risk of riding at night. Is getting cold. I was fine during the day. After the sun goes down its gets a lot colder. I've found myself a bit surprised, really feeling it. To the point on occasion. I've been in the early stages of hypothermia.
Good tips, thanks!
aah Canterbury roads 😊, great advice.
Cheers. Planning some night riding.
All good advice thanks.
Excellent video
Fast Food delivery e Bike guys here in Glasgow (no lights) are a menace.
More top notch advice backed up by years of experience. I don't like riding at night but sometimes it's a necessity. My bike has cornering lights which I suppose helps a bit and I moderate my speed accordingly. I find modern LED headlights often dazzle me. Worrying thought about hitting something like a badger or fox but I thought beaver would potentially cause you more problems 🤔
😂 thank you for your comments, that sounds like a whole new video to me!
Quite impressed with the difference your auxiliary lights make, would you mind sharing Make / Model. having recent ridden from the peak district to the lincolnshire coast in the dark we could have done with something extra.
Thanks for all the videos, having only recently gone through CBT and DAS we've watched them all and a lot of them changed how we look at riding. keep up the good work
Many thanks for your comments, much appreciated. I’m glad the videos are helpful. So my auxiliary lights are eBay cheapies £60! Described as GS fog lights. I thought for that money I’d try them as they look very similar to oem nut but at a fraction of the price . Time will tell. Denali do great lights, much better but at a price. Hope this helps ride safe
Thanks for the reply, think we may give them a try too, just need to find a way of mounting them on the z650
In my country the motorway network is very dense. I do a fair bit of riding in the dark. In day time I prefer the country lanes and the back roads. At night time I tend to use the motorway. I believe it is a lot safer (no cyclists, pedestrians, often sections that are lit). It is not as nice as the country lanes, yet at night you cannot see much anyway.
G'Day from Australia - new rider here.
Is there some consideration regarding mirror usage at night?
Especially at traffic lights and approaching vehicles from behind?
I lean towards flashing my brake lights a couple of times when stationary in the evenings.
Is that appropriate?
Great content - appreciate the extra detail in your posts.😊
I’ve pulled dead Deer and Badgers off rural roads ,they are pretty heavy.
Hi mate I just passed my CBT and bought a bike - it’s getting MOT and some light work done before I can tax it - I wanted to ride to London from Lincoln using Google maps no motorway mode - do you have any videos that are specific to using A roads etc - also the gearing video you have was absolute gold for me 😊
hi thanks for your comments. Glad the gear video was helpful. Im afraid at the moment I dont have specific A road videos, but dual carriageways and motorway video might help as you will probably use some non M'way dual roads. Other than that, videos on observation skills, roundabouts, junctions, smidsy would all be good starters. I dont know if you are a new road user or just new to bikes? All the best
😁👍🏻
You mentioned your friend jas some great lights on his GS, what lights are those please?
Hi, he uses Denali, s4 I think. Very effective
On your older r1200rt do you use regular unleaded (e10) or do you have to use super (E5), also what kind of mpg do you get
Hi, on this and my previous k26 RT i average 50mpg with all riding styles. The current RTP on an hours mainly A/M roads run did 60mpg.
BMW advised the higher octane on these, but I have used both 95 and 97RON. Regarding the E fuel, if I’m getting through fuel quickly I will use either, but if it’s starting a bit I use E5. Iirc, bmw state these are ok with E10. Cheers