Night riding vs wet riding

[Dave H]

I got into a nice routine last year of riding 1 night each week for ~3 hours for recreational purposes. As the evenings got shorter I decided that I would continue to ride through the winter (so long as it was dry!) and not worry about the lack of light. I figured that I know the roads, I ridden at night before (in areas with street lighting) and that it would allow me to continue to get my two-wheeled fix! At the same time, I realized that I was beginning to dread the rainy season and that I was fearful of riding in the wet.

So... out I went for my first night ride in the SC mountains and I quickly realized that riding at night in an area without street lighting is terrifying. It felt like being a newbie all over again... backing cars up onto my rear wheel as I tried to ride within the (very small amount of light) generated by my mechanical steed, constantly worried about cars turning into my lane on 55mph 2 lane roads etc. Safe to say that the reality was nothing like what I was expecting!

Which brings me to riding in the wet... I got caught out earlier in the rainy season and had to ride for 2 hours in the rain (combination of twisty stuff and freeway). I was nervous but realized that I could trust my process, the bike, tires etc and I really enjoyed my ride. Since then, I've ridden a few times in the rain which culminated in me deliberately going out over the weekend for a wet ride. As the rain came down so hard it was bouncing off the tarmac and rivers of water started flowing, I realized I was having fun! Obviously you've got to be careful (as always) but setting out for a ride with the mindset required for wet riding I found really calming and relaxing.

Long post but I guess I'm highlighting how strange it is when something you think you'll enjoy you hate and something you're scared of you enjoy!? Anyone else had any similar experiences in your riding careers?

 

[Dave H]

And before you ask I replied 'I love it all' on thread 'Do you love all aspects associating with riding, or are you just about the riding?' (link) so even enjoyed cleaning my bike after getting wet!

 

[orbframe]

i hate riding in the rain... not afraid of it, or snow... just hate it

 

[rick]

My commute used to run through the SC mountains. Rain, snow, whatever. I certainly prefer dry sticky roads but, with decent rain gear it's fine.

 

[Climber]

OP, my first thought when you mentioned the lighting was a question of whether or not your headlights are properly adjusted.

Another possibility is that you're riding at night with a tinted visor..not to be recommended.

It sounds to me like they aren't. And when there are no vehicles coming towards you you should have the high beams on for no other reason than to spot deer sooner.

 

[AnotherKat750]

I have ridden in the rain in the day and in the night. I have ridden in the night with or without rain. No I do not enjoy either of them. I just like the fact that I come out stringer after each of those, because I didn't die. Many years ago, I was coming to my parents house after a trip to the Himalayas and it got late and dark on a Indian highway. That was death staring at me in the face. It was dusty, so the visor was worse than foggy and the headlights didn't light enough to spot dogs, goats, people, bicycles, and other things crossing the highways and of course without any reflective or bright clothing or any clothing for that matter. I did not die.

Many years ago, I was riding back my new-to-me Speed Triple from LA to Bay Area soaked wet in November rain and I was wet, cold and riding in the dark in the rain. I did not fear for my life as the highways/freeways are much safer than my Indian highways experience. I don't love the immediate feeling but I love the feeling afterwards of enjoying a hot drink in a warm home, all dried up and telling the scary story to people.

BTW, yes, I have ridden SC mountains in the dark with a drizzle and it was an embarrassing experience due to constantly having cars on the tail, the opposite of a dry sunny day.

 

[Dave H]

OP, my first thought when you mentioned the lighting was a question of whether or not your headlights are properly adjusted.

Another possibility is that you're riding at night with a tinted visor..not to be recommended.

It sounds to me like they aren't. And when there are no vehicles coming towards you you should have the high beams on for no other reason than to spot deer sooner.

Must admit that I didn't even know you could adjust your headlights! Thanks for the tip; will take a look! I've been using high-beams when no oncoming traffic.

Visor - definitely not using a tinted visor and agree that would not be recommended at night!

 

[Dave H]

I don't love the immediate feeling but I love the feeling afterwards of enjoying a hot drink in a warm home, all dried up and telling the scary story to people.

I think that's part of it, yes.

 

[Crispietogu]

With all waterproof gear I ride year round. Rode in the 3 am storm last night and had a blast. All my coworkers looked at me funny though as I got geared up haha

 

[Gary856]

When I started riding in the winter of 2009, a wet year, I avoided the rain at first since I didn’t want to get the new-to-me GS500E wet. After getting caught in the rain the first time, I was able to enjoy rain rides.

I had a lot of free time in the evening so long winter-night rides in the hills became the norm. The first time I rode Calaveras Rd at night it was disorienting, and riding on goat roads deep in the hills was a little spooky, but I got used to them. Much later on I realized the bike’s headlight makes all the difference – a GS500E with a fork-mount headlight allowed the light to point into the turns and worked really well; a ZX-10R with fairing-mount headlights would dip down into the turns so they’re basically useless at night on very twisty roads.

One of the hairiest moment for me was riding my DRZ400SM in heavy rain at night in Soquel. The visibility was so poor I was praying that I wouldn’t run into a stopped car on the road or get rear ended.

I’ve dialed back on my night rides the last few years because I couldn’t ride as fast due to the concerns for deer, and I couldn’t take good ride photos.

 

[HadesOmega]

don't like riding at night or in the rain but if I get caught then I still ride. That's why I have a car with a heater.

When I was riding to the TAT it was miserable wet rain and I had a lowside riding down the road slide like 50 feet with the bike. I must have hit a oil patch or something the bike just suddenly slipped out from under me. I rode the first section of the TAT in the rain and it sucked mud slippery rocks. So much water I could squeeze my glove and a cup or water would come out. Yeah not many fond memories riding in the rain.

One night was riding on a mountain road and I almost rode off the side of the road because a corner came up and i could barely see it. After that I upgraded the lighting on my KLR650. Riding at night with good lighting or bad lighting makes the biggest difference. Your ability to see ahead of you is compromised.

 

[nebulous]

After mastering night and rain and night-rain riding, the next Jedi level requires a blindfold...

 

[gixxerjeff]

OP, my first thought when you mentioned the lighting was a question of whether or not your headlights are properly adjusted.

This caught my eye.
I don't mind riding in the rain, never have. In fact, if I'm not on my way to work I really enjoy it.
The lighting issue is a new one for me. It's only within the last 18 months that I've noticed a dramatic decline in my the quality of my night vision. Out on 37 when there's little traffic it can get really bad. When it's dark I'm almost blind at times.
I know, it's an age and denial thing.... but perhaps worth bringing up.

 

[berth]

Night riding never bothered me. Especially on remote roads where you can kick the high beam on. Crossed 120 in to Lee Vining one late night, and having your headlight cast off the edge of the road in to the abyss -- pretty interesting!

I don't care for rain riding simply because it's cold and wet. And I don't like wet lane markings. That stuff can be stupid slippery when wet.

 

[Dave H]

Riding at night with good lighting or bad lighting makes the biggest difference. Your ability to see ahead of you is compromised.

This resonated. Having spent time working (and continuing to work) on vision, it was really disorientating not being able to see as far ahead as I wanted. Being forced to bring your vision "in" didn't feel at all good. Suspect I won't upgrade my lights (at some point I need to start a thread called 'Dave's next bike'!) and just ride in well lit areas if I'm out at night.

 

[Dave H]

After mastering night and rain and night-rain riding, the next Jedi level requires a blindfold...

Ha! Or tinted visor?!

 

[NCGiant]

I actually enjoy riding in the rain but do not enjoy night riding. I know my pinlock transitions visor is partly to blame, but I just don't like not being able to see too far ahead.

 

[XPEHBAM]

I like rain riding: my revit ignition gear is fully waterproof and I have a heated jacket liner underneath that. No problems whatsoever.

I like night riding as well, but only if I have adequate headlights. and preferably lights that light up the road when you go into a lean: headlights are just pointed straight: totally useless if you're trying to see what's to the left/right of you, where you're actually going..

if I'm warm, dry, and can see things - then all's well.

 

[Climber]

This caught my eye.
I don't mind riding in the rain, never have. In fact, if I'm not on my way to work I really enjoy it.
The lighting issue is a new one for me. It's only within the last 18 months that I've noticed a dramatic decline in my the quality of my night vision. Out on 37 when there's little traffic it can get really bad. When it's dark I'm almost blind at times.
I know, it's an age and denial thing.... but perhaps worth bringing up.

My Goldwing comes with much better high beam lighting than any of my cars ever had....I guess they know their customer base! :afm199 :laughing

 

[i_am_the_koi]

All situations just decrease the speed I can go. Eventually it stops being fun.

Rain riding, a little less.

Night riding, a little more less.

Night riding in the rain, very much less.